regulation on sailing rules

Dear all

Does anyone understand the following rules and explain to me?

3.09.6 In cockpits opening aft to the sea structural openings aft shall be not less in area than 50% maximum cockpit depth x maximum cockpit width.

What does the cockpit refer to in a sail boat ? Does it mean the entire deck area?
What does it mean of "no hatch forward of the maximum beam station"?
What is maximum beam station?

The above rule and regulation are extracted from ISAF OFFSHORE SPECIAL REGULATIONS

thanks pal

Raymond

 

The cockpit is the recessed part of the deck where the position of the helm or tiller is located.
If the boat has no recessed area then there is no cockpit.

The "maximum beam station" is the widest part of the ship;

No hatch forward of that point must be pretty clear.

 

Note: all recessed parts in the deck are considered cockpits under ORC.

 

Does that include scuppers?

 

If your boat has scuppers, you should probably be looking at Tall Ship regulations.

 

thanks all of you.