SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) -- The U.S. Coast Guard is helping offshore racing organizers adjust  the courses for two upcoming sailing races in the Bay Area in response to  safety concerns raised after a fatal yacht crash earlier this month.

      The two races affected are the Offshore Yacht Racing Association  Duxship Race on Saturday and the Singlehanded Sailing Society Farallons Race  on May 12.

      Races that stay within the Bay past the demarcation line from  Point Bonita to Land's End will not be affected, Coast Guard officials said.

      The new safety concerns come after a 38-foot yacht was hit by  large waves and crashed into rocks during the Full Crew Farallones Race on  April 14.

      One of the yacht's sailors, 46-year-old Marc Kasanin of Belvedere,  was found dead in the waters nearby.

      Four others -- Alexis Busch, of Larkspur; Alan Cahill, of Tiburon;  Jordan Fromm, 25, of Kentfield; and Elmer Morrissey, of Ireland -- remain  missing and are presumed dead.

      The accident prompted officials to reassess offshore race  organizers' safety plans and procedures, and the Coast Guard is asking all  offshore race organizers and participants to conduct their own safety  stand-downs.

      During the stand-down, U.S. Sailing, the national governing body  for sailing sports, is conducting an independent review of Bay Area offshore  racing safety procedures, according to the Coast Guard.

       (Copyright 2012, Bay City News, All rights reserved.)