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BSI regattas sail
under the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing. Additional rules
are implemented on the boat to insure that the sailing of the
boat is the primary responsibility of the blind sailors, since
sighted guides are present on the boat for verbal guidance and
safety.
Crew
Competing blind sailing teams consist of four sailors on a boat,
two of whom are blind according to IBSA classifications.
The other two sailors are sighted and serve as guides.
The helmsman must be a blind sailor, who must steer the  boat independently
unassisted by any sailor. The other blind sailor serves
as crew, primarily trimming the sails.
Roles
The sighted guide for the helm is not allowed to physically touch
any of the controls on the boat including sheets, and is responsible
for verbally guiding the blind helmsman. The second sighted
sailor serves as crew assisting the blind crew with sail trim. The
four sailors work together as a team with verbal communication
skills and accurate execution of maneuvers being the keys to
success.
Except for World Championship
Regattas, rules at local sailing regattas for the blind can be
flexible to adapt to the size and type of boat as well as the
skills level of the blind sailors. The intent is to sail
within a rule structure that safely allows the blind sailors
to be primarily responsible for the sailing of the boat.
The working relationships
of the sighted and blind sailors on the boat help promote successful
integration of blind persons into education, employment and social
life, which is a goal widely accepted in the blind community.
RULES FOR
THE CONDUCTING
OF INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
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THE RULES IN THIS
DOCUMENT are designed
to provide a basis for the conduct of yachting competition for
Vision Impaired sailors throughout the World. They provide for
the special needs and the safety of Vision Impaired sailors whose
sight limitations prevent the maintenance of a proper lookout
at all times. Provide for fair competition among blind and vision
impaired sailors.
- Allow
for full and equal participation for all within each category
of blindness as designated by the International Blind Sports
Association ratings.
- Provide
opportunity for all Blind and Vision Impaired sailors to develop
their full potential in their chosen aspects of sailing.
- Provide
for a regulated and disciplined organisation which is in accordance
with ISAF and IBSA.
- Provide
a set of rules which could be adopted by ISAF and IFDS for the
conduct of sailing competition for Blind and Vision Impaired
sailors under the auspices of Blind Sailing International in
World, International and Regional events.
1.0.
1 World Events are those
competitions which qualify as such under the ISAF regulations.
1.0.2
International Events
are events which involve 3 or more separate countries participating.
1.0.3
Regional Events are events
which are restricted to invitations from a specified region.
e.g. The Pacific Region, Europe, etc.
1.0.4
National Events are events
held within a country for that country's members. Organisers
of such events may choose not to conduct the competition strictly
within the dictates of these rules but it is strongly recommended
that they adhere to rigid safety requirements, as well as working
in close cooperation with the country's National Yachting Authority.
National Events may include by invitation competitors from other
countries.
The links below provide
detailed information for the rules used in competition
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