Safety Categories for Offshore sailing 

Category 0 - More than 200nm offshore

Major trans-ocean races, where yachts must be completely self-sufficient for very extended periods of time, capable of withstanding heavy storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance. Will pass through areas in which air or sea temperatures are likely to be less than 5 degrees Celsius other than temporarily.

Category 1 - 50nm to 200nm offshore

Passage or races of long distances and well offshore, where yachts must be completely self-sufficient for extended periods of time, capable of withstanding storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance.

Category 2 - up to 50nm offshore

Race of extended duration along or not far removed from shorelines or in large unprotected bays or lakes, where a high degree of self-sufficiency is required of the yachts but with the reasonable probability that outside assistance could be called upon for aid in the event of serious emergencies.

Category 3

Races across open water, most of which is relatively protected or close to shorelines and not rounding major capes.

Category 4

Short races, close to shore in relatively warm or protected waters.

Category 5

Short races, inside harbour limits or within fully protected waters to Category 4 or 5 are in general, “round the buoys” type or short course, harbour and inshore racing.