The World Sailing App, produced in conjunction with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in Britain, is building upon six years of information compiled in interactive eBooks.

It will be the "one stop shop for the 2017-2020 Racing Rules of Sailing and associated documents for sailors across the globe", a statement said.

As well as rules, the App will also include a case book, questions and answers, offshore special regulations and call books for team and match racing.

"In an age where we're never without a mobile device, the need to deliver information in a well presented, easy to access manner has never been more important," said World Sailing chief executive Andy Hunt.

"In partnership with the RYA, we have created a dynamic World Sailing App that brings together the documents that govern the sport, acting as a one stop shop for all. 

"User friendly, the World Sailing App helps to meet the needs and requirements of national and international sailors and officials, ensuring they never leave home without the Racing Rules of Sailing and other key documents."

Users will be able to "navigate seamlessly between rules and cases", highlighting a number of cases per rule in both overview and full case detail formats.

The app also includes "rules modes" to display windsurfing, team, match or kiteboarding racing amendments.

Other features include a system to find all relevant rules and equipment rules, and pop-ups for all definitions where they are referenced in the text. 

These pop-ups help refer back to the detail of the definition without navigating off the page.

"We are extremely excited about this new app," said RYA publications manager Steen Ingerslev. 

"Not only will you be able to access the rules and the associated cases in a quick, easy and very portable format when you need it.

"But we are also working with participating Member National Authorities to submit their rules and associated documents over the coming months, so that we end up with one integrated eBook linking rules and cases in multiple languages."

The World Sailing App can be downloaded for free via the App Store here.