VC Technical: Charles Détriché (FRA) "vctechnical" at "iomclass.org" Member(s): Rick Martin (USA) Graham Cross (NZL) Nigel Ashman (GBR)
The Executive, in consultation with the World Council, has developed an IOMICA policy on requests for interpretation of class rules.
- IOMICA encourages discussion around the class rules
- IOMICA encourages NCA/NCS officers to answer questions about the class rules at national level wherever possible
- IOMICA encourages Owners to discuss the class rules with their NCA/NCS, in the open IOM Forum, and elsewhere, and encourages IOMICA and NCA/NCS officers to participate in such debate
- IOMICA emphasises that while such discussion and debate should involve the exchange of informed opinion, any views expressed are neither official nor authoritative and do not represent IOMICA's position
- IOMICA encourages an NCA/NCS officer to request an official interpretation from the IOMICA Technical Sub-Committee via the VC Technical in all cases where an NCA/NCS officer feels this would be useful
- In general, it is the NCA/NCS which is the source of official requests for interpretation
- Official requests should be submitted to the IOMICA TSC with supporting documentation that provides diagrams, quotes relevant rules, and gives a summary of the issues
- Where the IOMICA TSC becomes aware of a discussion about the class rules that, in its view, should be the subject of an interpretation, the TSC may make an official request on behalf of the class
- All official requests for interpretation are announced by the VC Technical on the IOM class Web site so that all interested parties are clear whether an interpretation has been officially requested or not
- Thereafter, requests for interpretation go to the ISAF-RSD.
The Executive, in consultation with the World Council, has official advice on the class rules and new ideas.
If you are a commercial supplier to the IOM class:
- Treat new ideas as if they are probably illegal.
- Convince yourself that it is not so before marketing the equipment.
- Consider asking the IOMICA Technical Sub-Committee for an interpretation.
- If you sell equipment that is found to be illegal you may be obliged to correct, or replace, the equipment at your own expense.
The last item of advice derives from the consumer legislation that is in place in most countries, and is an implicit condition of trade otherwise. Something for sale must be fit for its purpose, and the manufacturer has liability if not a duty of care for it. It does not prevent any manufacturer agreeing with a customer that a particular item is "by special request of the customer" and is sold without representation or warranty of any kind. No problem in this case. The Technical SC and Measurement SC are in addition considering steps that might be taken to address the issue of manufacturers driving class development rather than the owners and the class association.
If you are an amateur builder:
- If you come up with something you have not seen before, then assume that it is illegal until you are convinced otherwise.
- Direct any questions to your national class association.
- A certificate, or a certification mark, is NOT proof of the equipment being class legal. It is only proof that the equipment has passed such controls as are required by the class rules, and that the official measurer at the time of fundamental measurement did not find anything wrong with the equipment.
- The owner always has the responsibility for the use of class-legal equipment, RRS 78.1 applies.
Request for Class Rule changes 2004 November.
Comments on the 2004 November request for Class Rule changes.
Request for Interpretation 2003-5b (2003Dec09)
Request for Interpretation 2003-5a (2003Dec09)
Request for Interpretation 2003-4
Role and Functions of the Technical Sub-Committee (2004Jan07)
IOMICA Comments on the 2003 Class Rules (2003Apr19)