Section I Introduction

This past June, Dave Rosekrans appointed a Task Force of Chip Barber, Tom Hubbell and Timmy Larr to:

Sports Medicine and Medical Safety Issues
In the past year the Sports Medicine Committee has addressed a number of issues concerning competitors in Olympic classes and America’s Cup, including nutritional supplements, prescription drug use dispensation, physical examinations for sailors, immunizations and medicines for foreign countries. Many have relevance for the well being of sailors across all disciplines. There is a need to further these efforts and make these decisions and findings readily accessible.

US SAILING’s Safety at Sea Seminars for Offshore Yachts
These Seminars have been held since the early 1980’s and are conducted under the sponsorship of Cruising World, US SAILING and West Marine. Seminar format: one-day with lectures and demonstrations. They can accommodate up to 600 people, depending on the local facilities of the organizer. Currently, there are five approved moderators who are responsible for conducting the Seminar and advising the organizer on selection of speakers. In the last few years, three of these moderators have conducted about 90% of the Seminars and have been able to meet the demand. The demand for the Seminars is affected by a handful of offshore races that require a percentage of crewmembers to attend one with the result that odd years have more Seminars than even years. In 2002, 10-11 Seminars were held and 2549 Safety at Sea attendance certificates issued compared to 3 Seminars and 536 certificates in 2001. Although the majority of attendees are usually racing sailors, these Seminars also attract many cruising sailors.

There are important links between the Seminars and the International Sailing Federation’s Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Racing. Recently, a new Section 6 (Training) was added to the Regulations with a training requirement for Category 0 (transoceanic) and Category 1 (long distance and well offshore) races. Its paragraph 6.01 includes the statement:

“At least 30% of a crew including the skipper shall have undertaken training within the five years before the start of the race in both theoretical and practical sessions in the following topics.”

A reference is also made to a model training course in Appendix G that does not yet exist, but is under development. This section contains a US SAILING prescription that states:

“US SAILING prescribes that training under this Regulation shall take place in a program that is approved by US SAILING and that shall require a minimum of 8 hours. Competitors who are members of other National Governing Bodies may demonstrate that they have completed such training in accordance with the requirements of those organizations.”

At this time US SAILING has approved only its Safety at Sea Seminars, but it should be prepared to process requests for approval of other seminars or courses. Criteria to do this need to be developed. Additionally, the curriculum for the Safety at Sea Seminars needs to be updated and brought into compliance with Section 6.

Many racers and race organizers have no knowledge of these Special Regulations, which recommend minimum standards for construction, stability, equipment and accommodation for monohull and multihull racing yachts offshore. The Special Regulations has five defined categories of offshore races, ranging from Category 0 (transoceanic) to Category 4 (short day races sailed in protected waters). Many Notices of Race for races with potentially challenging conditions (Categories 0, 1, 2 and possibly 3) make no reference in the Rules section to the Special Regulations. A summary of the approximate number of races in Categories 0, 1 and 2 that start from the US is listed below (ref. Appendix):

§ (1) Category 0 race (every 4 yrs.);
§ (9) Category 1 biennial races;
§ (11) Category 2 annual/biennial races

US SAILING’s Small Boat Safety Seminars
One of these was held in 1996, using the Safety at Sea Seminar as its model, and although several more were scheduled they did not take place due to a lack of interest. They are no longer offered.
It is not clear why they failed. Some people have questioned whether there is a market for these with day sailors and one-design racers, but the Focus Group results suggest otherwise.

To reach one-design sailors a way has to be found to counter the belief that one-design sailing is not dangerous and safety is boring and a bitter pill.

“Ask the Doctor” Seminar
This Seminar was held at the last Miami Olympic Classes Regatta. It was well attended and many questions were raised, especially concerning nutritional supplements. It has been suggested that additional seminars should be held covering a range of topics, such as body conditioning and training, nutritional supplements, anti-doping, prescription medications and waivers, event testing, clothing considerations (i.e., UV light protective clothing), and target weight factors.

• Instructor and Instructor Trainer Courses -- All of the various Instructor (Basic Keelboat, Cruising, Passage Making, Powerboat, Small Boat and Windsurfing) courses and Instructor Trainer courses have safety integrated in them, covering prevention, rescue techniques and emergency procedures for on-the-water and waterfront situations. Course format: several days long with lectures, presentations, demonstrations and hands-on practice (land and water). All of the supporting training materials cover these safety issues as well. Additionally, US SAILING Instructors, Coaches and Instructor Trainers are required to have current CPR and First Aid cards. Incentives: include US SAILING instructor liability insurance. Incentive under investigation for Powerboat Instructor certification: US Coast Guard approval for an OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel) Limited license.

• Sailing Counselor Courses - Are offered for camp counselors and staff at scouting programs with an emphasis on safety and hands-on practice.

• Coach and Coach Trainer Courses - Level 2 and Level 3 coaches are required to have current CPR and First Aid cards and are expected to be able to perform all safety and rescue techniques covered in their Level 1 Instructor training. At this time, their training courses and materials cover no additional safety related topics.

• Program Workshops for Program Directors & Head Instructors - Are 1-day workshops, which include issues involved in managing a facility, addressing risk management and safety aspects, and developing curriculum.

• Keelboat Certification System for Sailors -- offers seven certificate levels (Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, Coastal Navigation, Coastal Passage Making, Offshore Passage Making, and Celestial Navigation) for sailors. The linked courses for these certificates have safety and seamanship woven through them as well as in the course books. Course format: several days with lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice on the water. To receive a certificate, a sailor has to pass a written test and demonstrate an acceptable proficiency level of practical (hands-on) skills listed in the certification standards. Incentives: include the feature that sailors can use these certificates to rent or charter boats.

• Sailor Certification System for Small Boat Sailors and Racers - Is primarily targeted at sailors learning to sail or race at junior sailing programs, community programs, clubs and schools. Participation in this certification system is optional and depends on the initiative of an instructor or program to use it.

The Small Boat student book used by US SAILING Instructors and others covers a number of safety and seamanship topics, including PFDs, hypothermia, heat emergencies, electrical hazards, capsize recovery, overboard recovery, towing, anchoring, and hazardous weather conditions. US SAILING Small Boat Instructors are expected to incorporate these topics in their sailing courses, using a combination of talks, demonstrations, land drills, and hands-on practice on the water.

• Windsurfing Program for Windsurfers - Offers a Student Completion card recognized internationally, which can be used for rentals. Training materials include many of the basic safety topics (PFDs, hypothermia, heat emergencies, electrical hazards, self-rescue, towing, and hazardous weather conditions) and US SAILING Windsurfing Instructors are expected to incorporate these topics in their courses with talks, demonstrations, land drills, and hands-on practice on the water.

• Judges Program - Includes a certification program for Judges, Senior Judges and Umpires that provides one-day Judges Workshops and Umpires Seminars. The Workshops and materials focus on topics covering duties and responsibilities, Racing Rules, appeals, protest/redress procedures, and regatta operations with little, if any, on safety. Judges and Umpires are expected to be able to operate small powerboats safely in proximity of racing sailboats and are encouraged to have certificates, such as CPR, First Aid, Senior Life Saving or Water Safety Instructor.

• Powerboat Certification System for Operators - This system is modeled on the Keelboat Certification System and offers two certificate levels (Safe Powerboat Handling, and Safety, Rescue and Support Boat Handling) for the powerboat operator. The courses and training materials linked to these certificates integrates safety and seamanship throughout. Course format: one to two days with lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice on the water. This program was originally conceived to address the problem that Instructor Candidates in the Small Boat Instructor course often have minimal experience in operating a powerboat (safety boat), but there has been a growing interest in the Powerboat Program by the general public since it provides hands-on, on-water training (US Power Squadron and US Coast Guard Auxiliary do not to this). Incentives under investigation: include acceptance of certificates for state boating education requirements, boat rentals or charters and boat owners’ insurance discount.

• Race Officer Certification Program - Has a one-day seminar for Club Race Officers and a two-day seminar for Regional and National Race Officers covering race management topics with an emphasis on safety in the preparation and conduct of an event. Future updates may include a sample safety plan for a regatta and additional safety information. Format: lectures and demonstrations. All levels of Race Officers are recommended to be qualified in CPR.

• National Sailing Programs Symposium - includes lectures and demonstrations on safety issues (land and water). This Symposium draws a large number of sailing educators and provides an excellent opportunity to promote and disseminate safety initiatives.

• Concerns in Passage Making Seminar offered by New York Yacht Club a year or two ago; may be repeated. General seamanship and safety topics are covered.

• Cruising & Seamanship Seminars offered by North U are one-day seminars on land with a quarter of the day spent on safety at sea topics. Attendees are recommended to attend US SAILING’s Safety at Sea Seminar for more information.

• International Boating & Water Safety Summit is held annually and sponsored by the National Water Safety Congress with National Safe Boating Council.

• Marine Survival, Equipment, Procedures and Onboard Drills Course is an 18-hour or 10-hour course approved by the US Coast Guard offered to commercial captains and crews by the Alaska Marine Safety Education Assn. Topics include: equipment, immersion suits, emergencies, fire fighting, and cold water survival.

• Marion-Bermuda Race Seminar for participants in the Marion-Bermuda Race. Reportedly, it has less than two hours of safety discussion.

• Offshore Cruising Seminars offered by Mahina Expeditions are two-day seminars held in hotels. Topics include: equipment, weather, storm tactics, medical problems, treatment and prevention.

• Passagemaker Seminars are held two to three times a year by the Cruising Rally Association. Three-day seminars of lectures and demonstrations covering offshore passagemaking topics, including use of safety equipment, coping with heavy weather, medical preparedness, emergencies and jury rigging.

• Safety and Survival at Sea Seminars offered by Ocean Navigator are two-day seminars with hands-on pool and classroom exercises.

• Suddenly Alone Seminars for boating couples is a daylong seminar of lectures, demonstrations and workshops addressing the situation of the skipper falling overboard or becoming incapacitated.

• Voyage Planning and Offshore Seamanship Under Sail Seminars offered by Ocean Navigator are two-day seminars with an emphasis on safe operations, includes dealing with fire and overboard emergencies.

The overwhelming marketing issue is the intrinsic value of safe sailing to the benefit of the sailing community. Secondarily, the ability to offer a quality package of safety/seamanship education presents a positive marketing value for US SAILING. Implementation of these proposals for action will be a benefit to members and an attraction to membership in the organization.

Section V Proposals for Action

• Develop and maintain a reporting system for accident and injury reports across all US SAILING disciplines so they can be analyzed and lessons learned from them to improve prevention, equipment and rescue techniques.

• Integrate safety throughout US SAILING’s courses, seminars, materials and online educational resources.

• review current products and offerings to ensure safety is promoted in a positive way and integrated throughout the programs.

        Improve the website to enhance access to safety, seamanship and sports medicine  
           resources across all disciplines of US SAILING.

• offer online resources and self-evaluation challenges.

• offer online chat rooms or experts’ forums.

• provide a list of expert speakers on these subjects for local lecture series or seminars at programs, clubs and associations.

• offer jpeg announcement files for speakers and/or seminars.

        Develop a plan for online educational resources that would address:

• content

• priorities

• competition/conflicts with existing US SAILING products and providers

• potential technical problems

• funding of development, maintenance and updating

• feasibility of a fee structure

• administration and management issues

        Encourage the renewal of research.

• identify needs.

• prioritize needs.

• develop methodologies (including testing protocol and peer review) and funding.

        Encourage schools and programs that use the Keelboat Certification System to offer a
          certification course that would cover the topics in 6.01 and include a hands-on component.
        Seek recognition of US SAILING’s certificates by ISAF and National Governing Bodies of
          other countries.
        Provide hands-on powerboat training for race management personnel, umpires and judges.

• provide training in safety, rescue and support boat handling for new Club Race Officers (not required for existing ones).

• make available training in close-quarters maneuvering as well as safety, rescue and support boat handling for umpires and judges.

• investigate an incentive for training through cost savings for US SAILING regatta insurance and for judges’/umpires’ liability and hull insurance.

        Encourage alliances and partnerships with other organizations to:

• improve and broaden the access and distribution of safety related information and training.

• coordinate and fund safety programs and new research.

        Reconfigure the Sports Medicine Committee as a technical committee responsible for
          sports medicine and medical safety issues across all disciplines that reports directly to
          the Board and is supervised by a Vice President appointed by the Executive Committee.
          It would conduct research, compile records of injuries, and advise and publish reports
          relevant to injury prevention, sports medicine and medical safety.

        Reconfigure the Safety-at-Sea Committee as a technical committee with small boat,
          offshore racing and cruising specialists that reports directly to the Board and is supervised
          by a Vice President appointed by the Executive Committee. It would conduct research,
          compile records of accidents, and advise and publish reports in areas relevant to safety
          and seamanship in sailing. It would regularly review the Special Regulations and submit
          proposals for revisions to the Board after consultation with the Offshore Committee. The
          Training Committee would be responsible for the development, production and manage-
          ment of safety related training products in collaboration with the Safety-at-Sea Committee.

• consider changing the name of the Safety-at-Sea Committee to the Safety and Seamanship Committee to better reflect its broad scope.

        Address ISAF Special Regulations issues.

• develop approval criteria for training programs (courses, seminars) to meet US SAILING’s prescription requirements in Section 6 of the Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Racing.

• develop and maintain a list of US SAILING approved programs (and certificates) that satisfy the prescription in Section 6.

• provide input on the development of the ISAF “model training course” in Appendix G to avoid conflicts with US SAILING’s criteria for US approved courses.

• increase awareness of the Special Regulations by race organizers and encourage adding a reference to them in Notices of Race.

• work with race organizers to enforce the training requirement of 6.01.

• consider the development of a companion publication or online product to the Special Regulations that would explain each regulation with the anecdotal motivation behind them.

        Improve and update the Safety at Sea Seminars, while maintaining high quality.

• revise the curriculum to comply with the required topics in Section 6 of the Special Regulations for Categories 0 and 1 races.

• develop a strategic plan to increase the number of seminars and attendees.

• improve the management, administration and marketing of the Seminars.

• review the financials.

• develop a process to approve future moderators and expert speakers and for current ones to maintain their active status.

• consider changing the attendance certificate to a certification document with the addition of a test for those who need to satisfy the training requirement of 6.01 (it would be optional for other attendees).

• improve the seminar printed materials and presentation aids (PowerPoint, CD, video, etc.).

• consider the development of online educational resources that include self-study, self-evaluation, and knowledge testing.

• investigate the addition of a hands-on, on-water component, possibly including proficiency demonstration as part of certification for 6.01.

• investigate the feasibility of an online self-study, refresher course with test as an alternative to attending additional Safety at Sea Seminars to comply with the periodic training requirement in 6.01.

Note: The Task Force recommends that the President, Dave Rosekrans, appoint a special task force to work on the two major bullet () topics listed above as “ISAF Special Regulations Issues” and “Improve and Update the Safety at Sea Seminars, While Maintaining High Quality.”

        Address need for safety-at-sea training for Category 2 races (and possibly Categories 3
          and 4 races?).

• consider format of training and option of certification.

• consider printed materials, presentation aids, and online educational resources that include self-study, self-evaluation, and knowledge testing.

• encourage taking a hands-on, on-water component (possibly including proficiency demonstration) offered by sailing schools, programs, associations and clubs.

        Encourage safety/seamanship training for small boat and one-design sailors.

• investigate feasibility of a clinic on “dealing with the unexpected” (i.e., hazardous weather conditions, capsizing, getting back on board, etc.).

• use clinic to lead sailors to other safety/seamanship programs.

• investigate providing local club/program speakers with presentation materials on CDs or downloaded from US SAILING’s website.

• consider the feasibility of self-study educational resources online or on CDs.

Considerations should include:

• Once adopted, the Safety and Seamanship initiative should be furthered by a combined discussion with the Training Committee and the existing Safety-at-Sea Committee members plus its new representatives from the Inshore Committee, Sports Medicine Committee and the Cruising Council. Offshore Committee, Inshore Committee and the Cruising Council would be the forums leading to the Safety-and-Seamanship/Training discussions.

• All disciplines should be asked to become involved with the Safety and Seamanship initiative.

• A set of performance indicators should be developed for each action proposal that is approved in order to measure the progress.

• Financial plans should be developed for new products and services.

• Periodic progress reports should be submitted to the Executive Committee.