1210 Call to order by Ron Trossbach, Chairman

Action: The Chairman asked all committee members to verify with him that they would like to remain as members for the coming year.  Members who cannot attend occasional meetings will be asked to serve in an advisory role to the committee.

Committee members and observers introduced themselves. The following Committee members and Advisors were present: Sheila McCurdy, Peter Millard, Talbot Wilson, Chuck Hawley, Dan Nowlan, John Winder, Glenn McCarthy, Dan van Heeckeren, Gene McCarthy, Stan Honey, Bruce Eissner, and Ron Trossbach.

The Committee reviewed the Terms of Reference for the SAS Committee’s purpose, composition and function to update the 1987 version. A corrected copy is attached. This will be submitted together with the Committee Roster by Nov 1. Any comments on this should be sent to the Chairman Ron Trossbach before then.

Hanson Awards and Crew Overboard Research

- The Chairman stated that the committee has three areas of concern:
research, regulation and education. Among the ongoing research activities of the committee have been the awarding of over 100 Arthur B. Hansen Awards for rescue. Committee Advisor John Rousmaniere is assembling a summary of Lessons Learned from this data base plus the data bases of Lake Michigan and The Sailing Foundation of Seattle. This should be completed this coming winter.

- Glenn McCarthy reported that 14 Hanson awards were given last year and the feedback on the events is excellent with clubs feeling honored to have members recognized for successful handling of life threatening situations. He used the Lake Beulah rescue of a heart attack victim as an example.

- Bruce Eissner noted that the research value of knowing how accidents and rescues really happen are as important as the visibility given to US SAILING.

- Chuck Hawley suggested that the summary of the incidents may help us in recommendations for overboard recovery techniques, and he also noted that sometimes overboard incidents are hushed up by the crews for a number of reasons.

- John Winder reported that the Newport Bermuda Race this year had 4 crew go overboard from 3 boats. All were successfully rescued, and the skippers have responded to letters asking about the incidents. The Race organizers have had no means of getting reports but will be adding an inquiry to the Certificate of Compliance which each skipper must turn in at the end of the race.

- Bruce Eissner pointed out confidentiality issues that need to be honored ranging from embarrassment to legal concerns which apply to the small boat arena as well. He asked that committee members using e-mail to discuss reports be careful in their opinions and presentation of facts.

- Sheila McCurdy said that in the Bermuda Race while crew were not clipping to the boat with harness tethers, at least the crews executed fast and successful rescues of the crews in the water.

- Ron Trossbach mentioned that reports so far have indicated that having a GPS with an MOB button at the helm is an advantage, that reflective tape on gear being worn has been valuable, and the crews used MOM flotation to aid in several recent rescues.

An observer voiced an opinion that fanny pack flotation may be more trouble than it is worth and asked the Committee to review US SAILING rules that allow the use of these devices in championship regattas (Mallory Cup).

There was a general consensus to rely on voluntary reporting for the foreseeable future.

Projects

1) ORC/ISAF compliance claims by manufactures of safety equipment.

- Chuck Hawley felt that this is a difficult issue and statement-makers should be held accountable for their claims without our passing judgment on the manufacturers.

- Bruce Eissner said that ISAF’s approach would likely be to charge manufacturers for permission to publish the claim.

- Ron Trossbach favored informal approach of writing manufacturer for explanation of claim if we detect a deficiency.

2) Sea anchors on MOB devises: Ron Trossbach will be looking for someone to investigate their adequacy. Several recent reports have stated that these devices blow away faster than a victim can swim after them.

3) Comparisons of MOB recovery maneuvers: John Bonds has donated $1000 to a project at the US Merchant Marine Academy under the supervision of Eric Wallischeck. Status of study is available from Eric.

4) Lifeline study by Naval Academy, Ron Trossbach will ask for a status report.

5) Crotch straps on PFDs. Bruce Eissner stated that rest of world believes they should be mandatory.

6) Unconscious overboard victims: A serious circumstance that can be approached the wrong way. Even adequate flotation may not prevent death from a head injury or heart attack.

- Bruce Eissner pointed out that PFDs do not prevent head injuries. Helmets do.

- Dan Van Heeckeren differentiated causes of unconsciousness. Unconsciousness brought on by hypothermia is very survivable with adequate PFD that can also facilitate reboarding.

- Chuck Hawley said that in tests in San Francisco Bay the best way to retrieve an unconscious victim was to put a swimmer in a survival suit in the water to attach a lifting sling to the victim.

7) Reboarding of rescued crew: Techniques and strategies have been analyzed by Ron Trossbach. Conclusions need to be disseminated.

8) Offshore Newsletter: Bruce Eissner announced an on-line newsletter from the Offshore Office that was launched with Sailrater recently.

9) Overhead power lines: A hazard at launching ramps that was addressed by the committee some years ago with good result is publicizing danger to local sailors around the country.

Action: Ron Trossbach will coordinate effort with the One Design Council and review campaigns by other water and boating safety groups.

10) Racing Rules of Sailing 1.1: Glenn McCarthy raised the issue that the use of the word “possible” added greater onus to the racing sailor to rescue another racer even to the extent of exposing the rescuing boat and crew to great danger and goes beyond the accepted practices of law of the sea. The Rules Committee will be submitting the question to the Appeals Committee through the proper channels.

11) ISO and ISAF status report: Bruce Eissner said that the submission deadline has changed. The Safety at Sea Committee needs to have formal recommendations to the Offshore Office in July 2003. This year’s recommendation of creation of a Category 5, on which Paul Miller took the lead, will probably be approved.

Life rafts: Last year the new ISAF liferaft rule came into effect for 2003 implementation although specifications were not written. The ISAF life raft is not “almost a SOLAS life raft” as has been reported. The standards approved by the ISO have the force of law. The ISAF has consultative status for development of a “yachtsman's liferaft for seas of the world.” The Australian Coroner’s report of the Sydney Hobart Race addressed the failures of liferafts. Alan Green is very involved. Manufacturers around the world have given lots of input.

A US SAILING prescription put off implementation until specifications were written and manufacturers could begin to comply. Old life rafts will be grandfathered for racing but not cruising where the IMO standard will apply. Bruce Eissner concluded by asking if deferral should be continued or extended.

- Chuck Hawley said we should be careful about making owned good property obsolete, but he doesn’t care for grandfathering being applied to future purposes. He viewed the ISAF liferaft as pretty good, but cautioned that from a manufacturing and marketing standpoint race regulations should be very similar to the cruising market specifications.

- Dan Van Heeckeren asked that the committee defer the question until the next meeting.

- Peter Millard and others suggested that the Committee continue to comply with 2004 date for ISAF specifications, and in the meantime gather input from the US Marine Safety Association and others for reasons to change that date if ISAF does not pass the specifications by then.

- Bruce Eissner asked that the USMSA give comments to us and to Alan Green.

- Sheila McCurdy presented the proposal of cooperation from USMSA (see attached)

Action: Ron Trossbach will respond to USMSA.

12) Category 5 status: Category is designed for short races in warm water with protected water close at hand.

- Chuck Hawley questioned the definition of “warm” and should a Coast Guard or other authorities’ definition be used.

- Bruce Eissner said that such general terms are used intentionally to let the race organizer decide.

13) RORC PFD rule: Ron Trossbach noted the change by the RORC and that US SAILING is not planning on changing its rule.

14) Harnesses and tethers on offshore boats: Bruce Eissner suggested a look at wording for a recommendation. He believes the antipathy toward tethers is unjustifiable.

- Stan Honey recommends that a US SAILING Prescription be made that recommends the use of flotation and a harness (at night or in cold water etc.) become a requirement for Categories 0 and 1 (but still limited to "at night or in cold water etc.").

1) a Safety at Sea seminar that satisfies 6.01

2) a course for category 2 and 3 sailors, and

3) an inshore program for safety.