US SAILING

Safety At Sea Committee Home Page
 

Safety At Sea Sponsors:
 

                   
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LATEST SAFETY NEWS 

 

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Senior First Aid Certificate    New for the 2008-2009 ISAF Special Regulations is section 4.08.4 that requires one or two crew members (cat 2 and cat 1 races respectively) to hold a “Senior First Aid Certificate”.  In the USA, these courses meet that definition.

American Heart Association: Heartsaver FACTS – includes Heartsaver first aid course and AED (Automated External Defibrillator ) training. Certification for 2 years.        www.americanheart.org

American Red Cross: First Aid, Standard First Aid (taught with Adult CPR at a workplace), and First Aid Basics (when taught alone as a community course).  Certification for 3 years. www.redcross.org

American Safety and Health Institute: Basic First Aid. Certification for “up to” 3 years.    www.ashinstitute.org

National Safety Council: First Aid or Standard First Aid (when taught with CPR). Certification for 3 years.                                                                                                   www.nsc.org

 
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ATTENTION AIR TRAVELERS   Regulation on Lithium Batteries in Baggage 
Effective January 1, 2008, travelers may no longer pack spare lithium batteries of any kind in checked baggage.  Passengers wishing to carry spare lithium batteries for devices such as laptops, cell phone and cameras are now required to pack them in their carry-on baggage with the terminals covered/insulated or stored in plastic bags.  Travelers may check bags that contain batteries, as long as they are installed in electronic devices.  Lithium batteries found during the screening process may be removed by the TSA. Confiscated batteries should be treated as UDG/undeclared dangerous goods and properly reported and logged for the FAA.   This rule is enforced by the DOT as a hazardous materials regulation and is not a TSA rule.    Posted Feb. 2008.                                                                    

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New 28 January 2008 ~ Summary of the Changes to the 2008-2009 ISAF Special Regulations

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ISAF Special Regulations - The Special Regulation changes under consideration for the ISAF Annual Conference November 1-11 2007 are posted here.

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Programming Marine Radio and AIS Equipment. October 2007
September 2007.

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TSA Permits CO2 Cylinders with a Inflatable PFD at Security Checkpoints Once Again.
August 2007.

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Two Changes in the 2006-2007 ISAF Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Equipment and Preparation including US SAILING Prescriptions.
February 2007

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Life Raft Recall: Viking Life Saving Equipment VIKING RescYou™ (UKL) and RescYou™ Pro (UKSL), sizes 4, 6 and 8 persons in either container or valise.
February 2007

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121.5 Mhz & 243 Mhz EPIRBS are now illegal to use, remove the batteries.  Then replace with a 406 Mhz EPIRB.
January 2007

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2005 Crew Overboard Rescue Symposium November 2006 Forty items of safety gear and many maneuvers were tested in conditions ranging from 36 knots and a three-foot choppy sea, down to a moderate wind and smooth water.  Almost 200 hours of trials were held on a wide range of 15 boats ranging from 21 to 53 feet in length - seven keel cruisers, a keel racer, a catamaran, three trimarans, and three powerboats.  This was the first crew overboard rescue trial involving a fleet so big and so representative of American cruising boats.  Some of the tests attempted to recover an unconscious victim.

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Discontinuation of Cell Phone *CG
September 2006

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Notice: Safety Recall - Pains Wessex White Collision Warning MK7 Hand Flare. (Modified)    May 2006

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Now available: International Sailing Federation Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Equipment and Preparation for 2006-2007 including US SAILING Prescriptions.
 

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Competitors, Race Organizers, Liferaft Retailers and Liferaft Repackers have all requested a clarification of the ISAF Special Regulations with US SAILING Prescriptions with regards to Liferafts
 

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The U.S. Marine Safety Association maintains a list of life raft manufacturer approved service stations.

                                                                (Links to Old News)

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~
Call for Nominees for Rod Stephens Trophy ~

The Cruising Club of America
 is eager to hear about acts of superb seamanship and dedicated lifesaving that may
qualify for one of the club's newest, most important awards. 

Since 2000 the CCA has  presented its Rod Stephens Trophy to an individual who has
brought about an act of seamanship that significantly contributes to the safety of a yacht
or of one or more individuals at sea.  Honoring the memory of an exemplar and teacher
of the best seamanship, the Stephens award is open to all -- crews and skippers,
women and men, CCA members and non-members, and citizens of all countries

Nominations or requests for information should go to
:
E. Newbold Smith, 871 Lesley Rd., Villanova, PA 19085.

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HELICOPTER RESCUE PREPARATION GUIDE VIDEO


The Bonnell Cove Foundation, a non-profit organization which funds Safety at Sea and Environment projects, recently enabled a group of committed volunteers to film and produce a 16 minute video that describes how to prepare a small boat for a helicopter transfer of personnel or emergency equipment.  The purpose of the Helicopter Rescue Preparation Guide video is to increase boat crew awareness of the hazards and difficulties associated with working in close proximity to helicopters.  The video describes USCG helicopter rescue equipment, the different types of hoists, boat & crew preparation, the do's and don'ts of safety and rescuing the rescuers, in the event of a helicopter crash.  We hope you never have to use the information but, if you do, knowing the right way makes everyone safer. 


Copies of the video plus an informative USCG pamphlet, Guide to Helicopter Assistance and Evacuation at Sea, have been distributed to all the Moderators of US SAILING Safety at Sea Seminars for use when a USCG unit cannot make a presentation.  Additionally, all yachts that raced in the 2004 Newport Bermuda Race received a copy of the USCG pamphlet.  In a perfect world, all vessels that venture off shore and along the coast should have a copy of the pamphlet aboard and have their crews see this video, if they are unable to witness an actual helicopter rescue demonstration. 

The Foundation has several loaner copies of the video for use in organized club training sessions. 

For more information, including copies of the USCG pamphlet, send an E-mail to rontrossbach@msn.com.
 
 

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The US SA
ILING Safety-At-Sea Committee
conducts research and publishes reports in areas relevant to safety in offshore sailing, and keeps records of accidents in offshore races. The committee proposes amendments to the International Sailing Federation
Special Regulations Committee.

US SAILING has a continuing commitment to safety programs.  The Safety-at-Sea Committee, operating under the aegis of the Offshore Committee, has been a central element in the pursuit of basic research, development into specific guidance for construction of yachts, and derivation of improved techniques for safety.
 

Here at the US SAILING Safety-At-Sea Site, You Can Learn About:

bullet Where to find a Safety-at-Sea Seminar.
bullet Where to find your local Safety at Sea Representative.
bullet Purchase Cruising or Racing Safety books, PFD's, Hypothermia Card, etc.
bullet Rescues at Sea and learn how heroic sailors operate in tough conditions.
bullet Make a nomination for an Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal.
bullet Proposals US SAILING is considering to modify the International Sailing Federation Special Regulations.
bullet See the Special Regulations with US SAILING Prescriptions by Category, on line.
bullet Notices that effect the equipment sailors use and Safety Links.
bullet Not carrying Inflatable PFD's on board Commercial Aircraft.
bullet Many Safety Studies, complete or underway reviewing techniques or components.
bullet Decisions the Safety-at-Sea Committee has under consideration, or has made.
bullet Complete a Withdrawal Form for events that require it.
bullet Terms of Reference.
 

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HEAVING LINE0009.jpg (227726 bytes)


Ron Trossbach, explaining that for lifting overboard victims, you can buy a 70 foot throw rope and to tie a double bowline at the end in the last few feet of line that comes out of the bag.  This line can be tied to a halyard for lifting.  This gives the victim a ready made loop to put around his/her body so he/she doesn't have to hold the throw rope or 'wrap it around his hand....".  This is a fairly inexpensive lifting system.  Photo by Kathy Trossbach

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Safety at Sea Committee Terms of Reference
The Safety-at-Sea Committee Chair is: Alan McMillan.
Safety-at-Sea Committee Members
Safety-at-Sea Advisors


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