15 September 2003

From: Doug Harrowsmith: SAS Marketing & Communications Standing Committee
Subject: Bulletin # 8 Clarification to Clubs on New Small Vessel Safety Regulations

I noticed the letter n your recent edition in which Stephen raised concerns regarding the new regulations, and commneted on SAS's communication style. We always welcome input from members in that it both confirms that we are being read, and secondly that the message we are trying to put across is being received. In some instances the meaning is not fuly understood, and SAS has had to deal with the inevitable FAQ's. It has not been poliucy to give individual names as the document comes officially from SAS as an administrative body.

That said, the Buletin # 8 referred to in Stephen's letter was sent to Affliate Clubs under cover of a SAS e-mail cover sheet. Its contents were by way of clarification of the earlier Buletins on the subject of the new regulations, promulgated on April 26th this year.

For those who read Stephen's letter and perhaps did not have the benefit of seeing the set of Buletins, I would suggest that, if they want to see all that has been published to date, they would be advised to get a copy of both Buletin # 4 and # 8.

Comments on Stephen's specific points are set in the context of his letter, in blue typeface, below.

From: Stephen Flesch
Re: New SAS Boat Registration Format

I was recently sent a copy of "SAS Bulletin No.8/ 2003" by Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club of which I am a member. This was a six-page document, which appeared to be issued by the SAS office.This was a very good example of how NOT to communicate. There was no author stated - not even the name of the sub-committee that was responsible. I also feel that every communication from any organisation should give the address of that body: ie street, postal, email, tel. and fax, so that if appropriate a response is facilitated.

COMMENT: The bulletin carried the SAS burgee; this identified the document as being officially issued by SAS. It was sent out electronically to affliated Clubs under cover of a circular from SAS bearing the sender's address details. Clearly Stephen did not get the cover page. However, the document was competently identified.

The circular states that boats must be registered before they can be inspected for "a Certificate of Fitness".

COMMENT: The Certificate of Fitness reports, annually, on the condition of the vessel, in particular its safety. I have no doubt that Stephen will look after his Laser and not venture out if he thinks it is in any way suspect, but then that does not necessarily hold true for all sailors throughout the country. The Certficate of Fitness is about continuing safety, and should not be confused with registration.

In March I bought a Laser and duly sent in the measurement certificate to SAS to have the registration changed into my name and paid the transfer fee and the Laser class membership fee. On April 24 I received a letter from Jayne Downing of SAS confirming my registration as the owner of Laser 80724 in the "National Register".

COMMENT: The new regulations require that all pleasure vessels, 3m and more in overall length, be registered anew no matter when your registered on SAS's existing national owners register. Registration in the new database is a 'once off' affair. The new database will contain more information than currently on SAS's existing national register. Much of the information required for class vessels will be drawn from class associations, so owners will not have a geat deal to do. However the new database will replace the existing national register. Each vessel registered will be given a unique SA regiustration number in addition to the boats' class number. The new number, with an SA prefix, will be displayed on the hull.

Why do I now have to do this again? As far as I am concerned I am "registered". My measurement certificate confirms that my boat conforms to the class rules and I presume that this means that it is "Fit" for the purpose for which it was intended. After all this is a piece of equipment that has been deemed suitable for Olympic competition.

COMMENT: To remain in 'Fit' condition the vessel needs maintenance; the annual safety inspection will ensure that the vessel remains 'in date'.

I am reasonably sure that given the above circumstances I will not have to re-register at a fee of R60 but why did the circular not say that? It looks as if the committee, which drafted the circular, did not do their homework.

COMMENT: Stephen will have to register his Laser again, to pay for the additional work that SAS has to do to get his Laser onto the new database, & issue a new number. The buletin is quite unambiguos in that it says:

All existing registrations must be renewed with proof of ownership and if these are applied for during the amnesty period the fee for re-registration and the issue of a new registration certificate will be R60.00.

A further requirement that Stephen and other dinghy skippers/owners will need to be aware of is that they will, if they are to sail their craft, need to hold a 'Certificate of Competence' to be able to do so. While this is not currently a requirement for dinghy owners/skippers, it will become so in the too distant future.

Kind regards,
Doug Harrowsmith