Safety At Sea - Agendas and Minutes - 3/24/2000 Minutes
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The Meeting was called to order by the chairman, Mr. Ralph Naranjo, at 16:00 hrs. 13 members were present of the total committee of 22 members (see attached attendance list of members and observers present). Being a majority of the membership of the committee, a quorum was present. The chairman presented the agenda to the meeting. Old Business: It was reported that the minutes from the previous meeting, held in Baltimore on October 29,1999, had been unanimously adopted by e-mail with minor changes. As the new Chairman of the Committee, Ralph Naranjo commented on the crucial work of the committee and how each member brings individual talents and knowledge to the table in the work that the committee undertakes. He asked that we, as a committee, refocus ourselves on this important work for US SAILING. The following areas of concern to the committee will be studied and reported on by the committee. In addition, Chairman Naranjo emphasized the importance of the high level of volunteerism that will be needed with this new work:
Dr. Bruce Eissner commented to the committee on events happening on the international "oceanic/world" front. It was reported that new ISAF Regulations/Standards had been adopted for Category "0" Races. In addition, the ISAF and ORC were not going to wait for the ISO to issue standards for "Yachtsman’s" Life Rafts and thus would write new standards since the worldwide feeling is that the currents regs are outdated. Also, there are now some new Special Regulations for ORC Category "1" Races as a result of the 1998 Sydney-Hobart. Also, it is believed that the upcoming issuance of the Australian Coroner's Report may have "severe" implications for oceanic sailing. The in-depth national report is to address a number of issues that include the organization of the race, weather, preparation of the yachts/crews, number of boats effected and to what degrees, Search Air Rescue services rendered, etc. Bruce Eissner noted that a US SAILING SAS working party that reviews the findings would be helpful to his Committee and the work that he undertakes internationally for US SAILING. Additionally, it was pointed out that increases in the percentage of crewmembers attending Safety At Sea Seminars would be looked at by the ORC and that educational role of national governing bodies would be increasing on a worldwide basis. Finally, the issuance of a new Category "5" to the ORC Regs. will be looked into at the Fall ORC Meetings. The Australians have a proposed model that will be looked at and US SAILING would need to have a submission ready by August, 2000. Glenn McCarthy presented the committee with an overview and demonstration of US SAILING's Safety at Sea Committee Web Site. The overall theme being that we want the sight to be one that is easily accessible to all and that our Safety Message is heard. The committee works with sailors through the web site. Statistics were sighted giving the number of "page views" the site experienced in January. The site is one that should be a "Safety Link" to sailors, with many facets, such as information on "Piracy Stories" in remote parts of the world and a link to ISAF Safety Issues and concerns. An example of the standard US SAILING "Withdrawal" Form was shown. The question of putting the FAA Regulations regarding the transportation of "Inflatable" Life Vests aboard aircraft was raised and Glenn indicated he would look into it and post the findings on the sight. Other items that should be included on the sight were raised by Glenn and will hopefully become a reality are:
It was also emphasized that committee member input was important to the development of the site and that information should be given to Glenn McCarthy. Also, Bruce Eissner pointed out that the future site could also include links to other related area sites for product and medical information. Dan Nowlan, Offshore Director of US SAILING, spoke briefly on the anticipated publication date of the new 2000-2001 ORC Regulations in the United States. 10,000 copies are to be printed by the middle of April with distribution to follow shortly thereafter. It was pointed out to the committee that committee member, Ron Trossbach, helped immensely in the process of publishing this year’s book and that it should be within budget. Discussion then turned to the modification of Appendix "F" and a review of the "galleys" will be undertaken prior to going to press. In addition, a motion to include in this year’s US regs. wording that includes "Engine Assisted Quick Stop" maneuver from the ORC regs was unanimously adopted by the committee. Discussion then turned to the distribution of 10,000 copies of the "Cruising Safety Recommendations" manual by US SAILING. Dan Nowlan reported that all new members of US SAILING, who get the magazine "Cruising World" by their stated interest in sailing on the US SAILING application, would get the book. In addition the publication will be made available at all Safety At Sea Seminars for a bulk rate price of $1.00. Seminars are contacting US SAILING’s Dan Nowlan for the book.
In addition it was reported that no Hanson Awards are in the process of being given at the present time. Glenn then focused on current trends that he has seen and presented the committee with some statistical evidence. The need is there for us to get the raw numbers of incidents that are happening on the water. This can be gathered from the USCG and cruisers. Many "Cruising Event" rescues are not being reported or even present to the SAS Committee. "We need to reach out to cruisers" and be more vigilant. The question of possible "tracking" deaths due to MOB was also raised. Committee member volunteers are needed for tracking all statistics of incidents, including "unsuccessful rescues". Information from all rescues needs to be analyzed carefully to gain better understanding of the rescue process. Matt Pedersen, of the Seattle Sailing Foundation, volunteered to help in these efforts. Glenn then presented the committee with some concepts that have been derived so far from some of the statistical data and studied MOB events to date. They are as follows:
At this point in the meeting, the president of US SAILING, Mr. James Muldoon, addressed the committee in regard to the United States Coast Guard and its interest in the work of the Safety at Sea Committee. It is interested in awarding USCG Medals in conjunction with US SAILING SAS Committee’s Hanson Awards and its related efforts and recommendations. Overall, it is felt that this will help to enhance the image of US SAILING with the general public at large. The chairman of the committee, asked that Glenn McCarthy look into the feasibility of this initiative and advise the committee at which point the committee will take a vote. In addition, the supply of Hanson Medals was reported to be good and that the Hanson Award is a "true success" for US SAILING and a win/win for all. Chairman Naranjo presented the committee with a brief report on Safety at Sea Seminars. He paid to the tribute to the work of past committee chairman, John Bonds, and all the effort and time that he has spent dedicated to the issues of Safety at Sea and the development of the seminars nationwide. It was reported that ten US SAILING sponsored seminars are planned for this year and that there is a great need to continually update the curriculum of the seminars. Also, the questions of where are "the seminars" going down the road was raised. General discussion within the committee followed with members stressing that all the newest and most modern technologies available should be shown and that the first time offshore racers/passage makers be encouraged to attend the seminars. These seminars have been a US led program for US sailors and are now being modeled after on a worldwide basis. US SAILING has established itself as the world leader in this area of the sport and thus must continue to upgrade its seminars to stay in this position. The chairman asked that committee members be in touch with him via e-mail regarding this subject. In addition he would like to have volunteers from within the committee step forward to help form a working committee "to advance this subject by thinking out of the conventional box".
Committee members were asked to e-mail any final suggestions for the book to her as soon as possible. She reported that they hope to go to press by the end of April. Bill Doelger then presented the committee with a newly worded and more balanced Appendix "F" – Drogues and Sea Anchors – for the inclusion into the ORC special regulations. The committee unanimously adopted this new Appendix "F", with minor wording changes, for inclusion in the US SAILING ORC Special Regs. This action by the committee needed to be approved by the Offshore Committee. Further discussion centered on establishing a working party empowered to look into the modern drogue technologies and techniques that are currently in use worldwide. Warren Mazanec reported to the committee about the need to update and better illustrate the current Crew Overboard Recovery diagram that is presented in the US SAILING ORC Regs. The feeling among the committee was that the "International Diagram" is a more accurate representation of the recovery process and should be included in this year’s publication of the regulations. In addition, he reported that the US Naval Academy had begun to undertake some research into the reliability and shelf life of inflatable PFDs. This work is still on going within the Academy’s sailing program using their inflatable PFDs. Committee volunteers are needed to help in this research project. Warren will report back to the committee with the verified data that is gathered. Under new business the committee turned to some issues that have been discovered from the above-mentioned Naval Academy study of Inflatable PFDs. It was reported that the inflating bobbins seems to be effected by humidity and new questions raised regarding how long do inflatable PFDs actually float a victim, the practical and useful product life an inflatable PFD, the use of C02 vs. Air, a 20% failure of seams due to the types of glues used in production. The feeling of the committee was that these are very important issues that need to be looked into and reported on in order to educate the public. In addition discussion turned to the development of a new category of ORC Regulations (Category "5") and the committee was asked by the chairman to start to think about this matter so that we might present the US SAILING proposals in August, 2000.
Respectfully submitted by Peter D. Millard Attendees: 1.
Committee Members Representing
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