What’s your plan? Before going out on the water to enjoy the racing, make sure you prepare your vessel and equipment, check your gear to be sure it’s in good working order, and know the rules and local conditions where you’re going.

Wear your lifejacket. This is the single most important thing to do to help keep yourself safe on the water. Lifejackets are legally required at all times on boats six metres or less in length. Skippers must have lifejackets of the right size and type for everyone on board.

Be a responsible skipper. If you’re the skipper, you are legally responsible for the safety of the boat and everyone on board.

Take two waterproof ways to communicate. If you can’t call for help, then no one can rescue you.

Avoid alcohol. Stay sharp on the water. Drinking affects your judgement and reactions if something goes wrong.

Check the marine weather forecast. It’s not the same as land and general forecasts, the weather will be different on the water and can change suddenly.

Keep an active look out. On-water congestion is likely to happen on race days, increasing the risk of collision or wake that can overturn vessels.

Be aware of your wake and big waves caused by other boats. Keep your distance and don’t get too close to other boats.

Understand and operate within the speed limits 

Understand and operate within the speed limits – the maximum speed within the restricted area “Area Restringida” is 6 knots, but at all times you should limit the impact of the boats wash.
Boats and vessels of the Salvamento Maritimo, Guardia Civil and Mossosd’Esquadra will be within the restricted area making sure that it is safe and the rues followed, such as no anchoring, no swimming and no littering.

For those with smaller vessels such as Stand up Paddle Board (SUP) , canoes and jet ski, then special areas have been set aside for you too keep you safe.

To make sure that you follow all the restrictions in place for your safety and receive the latest information on how to watch the racing make sure that you are signed up and receive the daily On Water Spectator newsletter each morning of the event. (Changing updates for the day will be transmitted on VHF Channel 71)

Once you get to the ‘Area Restringida’ – the Restricted Area – the speed limit is 6 knots but please be aware of the wash that your vessel or craft creates and be mindful of other boats in your immediate vicinity. As a guiding rule, please try to restrict wash as much as possible.

As you approach the racing area, you will immediately notice the coloured zones created by large inflatable ‘super buoys’ that mark the limits of the spectator area depending on the size of your vessel.

VESSELS UNDER 23m

Almost all the spectator fleet will gather in the Yellow Zoned area – this is for vessels under 23 metres (75 foot) in length and your designated areas are to the starboard (right) hand side of the course looking upwind and in the designated area above the windward gate and the initial port side of the top of the course.

VESSELS OVER 23m

For vessels larger than 23 metres please stay within the red marker buoys on the port side of the course (looking upwind) and for Team Support craft and VIP Hospitality vessels, the designated area is marked on the port side of the course (looking upwind) with blue marker buoys.

JET SKIS & PADDLEBOARDS

Jet skis and stand-up Paddleboards (SUPs) have designated areas to port and starboard on the lower perimeter of the starting box either side. Please be careful not to encroach into the starting box as the action is fast and furious and the AC40 sailors have limited visibility.

The vast majority of on-water vessels will be directed towards the yellow marker buoy areas – and please note that the spectator craft will be controlled by on-water marshals and that any vessel, may be required to move at any time if the wind shifts and the Regatta Director changes the angles of the course.

The Marshal ribs are all easy to identify as they have flags saying Marshal in three languagesIf you have any questions just wave down one of the friendly marshal boats!

Furthermore, our marshal boats will sweep the course before racing to collect rubbish, bags, and dangerous debris such as logs or other hazards with back up from the coastguard, Sesemer.

The regatta will also see the use of Hydrogen powered vessels with Emirates Team New Zealand showcasing their boat created in conjunction with Toyota.

The America’s Cup takes its commitment to marine-life preservation seriously and the course area will be monitored for signs of any larger mammals in the water at the time of racing.