• Media ID-4290

    ON-WATER SPECTATOR EXPERIENCE

    As preparations continue for the upcoming Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, Naples, Italy, we are now issuing information for all those wishing to spectate from the water. As a first step registration is required for all people/boats wishing to be located in the specified viewing areas of the racecourses.

  • If you are planning on taking your boat on the water to watch the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples, Italy, taking place from the 24-27 September, then please read and take note of this important and useful information. It will provide you with everything you need to know in order to ensure your enjoyment and safety on the water, and importantly the safety of others.

    Please note: The course area 'ordinanza' will be in place from Tuesday 22nd September. All vessels must respect the course area from that date.

    Official race days are only three (3) days - Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th September and racing will take place between 1400 - 1600 hrs each day. Spectator boats should aim to arrive at the designated viewing areas by 1330 hrs.

    ALL VESSELS PROHIBITION: NO WAKE. Vessels must not travel at speeds in excess of 5 knots.

    Firstly remember, it can a long day on the water. Racing starts at 14:00 CEST and is expected to conclude by 16:00 CEST. There will be three races per day on a tight racecourse in the Bay of Naples. Please read this information and then register your details in the link below. The registration will allow you to receive the morning briefing and plans of the day, weather forecast and any important safety and security messages. In this document and in the morning briefings, you will receive everything you need to know in order to enjoy your day watching racing, and to be able to follow all the action.

    IMPORTANT: IF A BOAT APPEARS ON THE RACECOURSE IN THE WRONG ZONE (FOR EXAMPLE BOATS WITH NO FLAGS CANNOT GO INTO THE FLAGGED BOATS ZONES - SEE ON MAP FOR THER CORRECT VIEWING ZONES) THE MARSHALS WILL INVITE THEM TO MOVE TO THE CORRECT AREA - PLEASE ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MARSHAL INSTRUCTIONS SO THEY CAN KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

    PLEASE REGISTER HERE

  • 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 for any reason.

    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 VHF (channel to be announced in due course) and be able to manoeuvre quickly and efficiently if instructed to do so by the ACE Marshals or maritime authorities on station.

    Spectator boats cannot operate under sail nor have sails ‘up’ while they are in the designated spectator zones and watching the racing  - boats must be able to manoeuvre by engine at all times and not raise sails so as not to block the views of other boats.

    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 (so long as they have registered online). The racecourse and spectator boat zones will be set up before racing by Marshal boats/Marshals with 20 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.

RACE COURSES

  • Attached are the maps provided for illustrative purposes and defined in collaboration with the Italian Coast Guard – Naples Maritime Authority, showing the areas designated for spectator boats and organization-accredited vessels. The final local by-law (“ordinanza”), officially establishing the regulations to be followed in the race area during the whole event period September 22–27, will be issued and published separately.

  • Perimeter marks will be identified by a number system so that spectator boats can easily identify the zone they need to go to and remain within. The zones will be organised by groups of boats as shown below:

    • RED ZONES - locations for the Flagged accredited spectator boats (AC Teams, official sponsor boats, official charter boats) - to be organised in the two ‘RED ZONES” according to the vessel sizes

    •  BLUE ZONE - Boats over 10m to go into Blue Zone to east of race area and spectator boats under 10m to go into Blue zone to west of race area

    • GREY ZONE - No spectator boats to stop in this area - transit lane only and no stopping in this space for boats authorised by ACE

    Flags for specified boats will be provided by ACE and instructions to collect will be advised in due course.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • VHF radio / On-water WhatsApp Spectator to be carried by all spectator boats. We will announce the official VHF channel in due course.

  • We advise all boats to have access to the internet and a screen or mobile device onboard to be able to follow the live commentary and the racing action online. Racing is shown live in YouTube and is free to view to all.

  • Spectator boats to be mobile under engine at all times with one (1) person in charge. ALL VESSELS PROHIBITION: NO WAKE. Be respectful, do not move at a speed that creates waves and sail slower than 5 knots.

  • It is a long day on the water: take plenty of food and water, as well as lots of sunscreen, and prepare for spectator boat queues in/out of marinas and port areas.

  • Safety is most important for all people and boats: Do not under any circumstances enter inside the perimeter marks. Always follow the instructions of the AC38 Marshals and Police/Security Boats and Ports Authority instructions for harbour exit and entry.

  • NO DRONES ALLOWED Please note that it is a requirement that no drones / UAVs etc, of any shape, size or form be operated from any spectator, VIP vessel or land mass and flying into, through or around the racing area.