ON-WATER SPECTATOR PROTOCOLS AT THE LOUIS VUITTON 37TH AMERICA’S CUP
The registration form is here: www.americascup.com/on-water-information
America’s Cup Events (ACE) is working closely with all other on water authorities and entities: Capitanía Marítima, Port de Barcelona, Port Olímpic, BWA Yachting, other stake holders and all local marinas to ensure safety on the water for those wishing to view the racing.
- Port de Barcelona are responsible for the co-ordination and protocol with regard to spectator boats leaving and entering the Port Vell area, and this includes the organisation of pilots for larger boats that require them, as well as the organisation of other maritime traffic inside the harbour.
- Port Olímpic and Port Forum will also be responsible for all aspects with regard to the timings and protocol for leaving and entering their own harbours, marinas and ports.
- BWA Yachting will be the communications link to and co-ordinator with all superyachts registered in the America’s Cup Superyacht Programme, also dealing with the relevant local marinas where superyachts are berthed.
THERE WILL BE FOUR MAIN 'ZONES' THAT WILL BE MARSHALLED AS FOLLOWS:
- General Public Spectator Boats Zone
- AC37 and America’s Cup Teams, Host Partners, Sponsors Boats Zone*
- AC37 Preferred Charter Boats Zone*
- Superyachts in the AC37 Superyacht Programme Zone*
* VESSELS IN THESE CATEGORIES HAVE PRIORITY ACCESS TO THE ABOVE AREAS.
All spectator boats should register if they intend to watch on water so that America’s Cup Events have a list of all boats planning to attend and, most importantly, a contact for the person responsible on each boat to send daily communications and updates to, as well as to send any safety messages and updates during racing.
IMPORTANT: IF A BOAT APPEARS ON THE RACECOURSE WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED AND WITH NO FLAG, MARSHALS WILL INVITE THEM TO STAY IN THE APPROPRIATE AREA ACCORDING TO HER LENGTH, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ABOVE PRIORITY ACCESS.
Except in an emergency, anchoring will not be permitted, which means that all spectator boats must be under engine, mobile at all times (never anchored) and remaining mobile in case they need to move or a racecourse needs to change.
Please note that spectator boats without engines or a means of propulsion cannot join the on-water spectator boat fleet, for safety reasons – all spectator boats must carry and stand by on 72 VHF radio channel and be able to manoeuvre quickly and efficiently if instructed to do so by the ACE Marshals or maritime authorities on station.
It can be expected that alterations in the normal port procedures for the entry and exit of every port will occur.
Racing is due to start at 1400hrs* CEST on each day of racing (*subject to change). This will be confirmed each morning to all boat representatives. The racecourse and spectator boat zones will be set up before racing by AC37 Marshal boats/Marshals with 30 perimeter marks and this will be in place on a race day by 1230hrs CEST.
The basic principle is that all spectator boats must go to their directed zone and stay outside the perimeter marks and follow any instructions issued by the ACE Marshals.
Boats are not allowed to stop or spectate between racing area and the land. There will be a passing lane corridor between the boundary and beach marks which allows access for boats to Port Olímpic.