"It was vital that safety issues were addressed as the Hooligan V incident and other incidents previously involved loss of life. By tightening up the regulations and bringing in a single standard the boating public, or at least the yacht racing part of it, can expect designs and builds to be to a common, up-to-date, international standard developed by the very best experts in the field.

"The new regulation is unlikely to affect any existing boat or those that are still on the drawing board unless the owner wishes."

Further information on the regulations can be found at  www.sailing.org/offshore