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US SAILING Section I Introduction 1 · review US SAILING’s activity toward safety education and recommend a course of action;· address the need for more safety information and instruction; · consider the impact and develop criteria for US SAILING approval related to Section 6 (Training) and US SAILING’s Prescription in the Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Racing; · consider the impact of Section 6 on the current Safety at Sea Seminars; · consider opportunities to partner with other organizations to help fund safety programs; · recommend how proposed safety activities should fit into the US SAILING organizational structure. During the summer and fall this Task Force conducted an informal survey asking for opinions and suggestions, which shaped the proposals in the report. Respondents’ time and patience in answering our questions and sharing their thoughts are greatly appreciated. The participants are acknowledged at the end of the report, and if we have inadvertently missed someone, we apologize. While the word “safety” has been used frequently in the report, the name ultimately selected for the whole initiative is important because it sets the tone. As a result of discussion and survey, it is suggested that Safety and Seamanship more fully encompasses the subject and covers the broad spectrum from medical safety to seamanship. “Seamanship is the body of knowledge that, if acted upon, leads to safety.” Section II Need and Opportunity Official Accident Statistics Some highlights from its most recent Boating Statistics edition (2000) include: · 70% of reported accidents involved operator controllable factors: inattention, inexperience, careless/reckless operation, unsafe speed and improper lookout.· The most reported type of accident was “collision with another vessel (35%) followed by “collision with fixed object” (11%), and “falls overboard” (8%). The type of accident that ranked #1 for both auxiliary (64%) and sail-only (54%) sailboats was “collision with another vessel” followed by “collision with fixed object” for auxiliary sailboats (12%) and “capsizing” for sail-only (17%). · fatalities are continuing to decline to 701 in 2000 (USCG’s Office of Boating Safety reports 650 in 2001). · 519 of the fatalities drowned and life jackets could have saved the lives of 85% of them. A breakdown shows 12 drownings from an auxiliary sailboat, 4 from sail-only compared to 280 for an open motorboat. · Capsizing and falling overboard accounted for 60% of the fatalities. · 83% of fatalities occurred on boats less than 26 feet. · Alcohol involvement accounted for 31% of all fatalities (up 5% from 1999) · 84% of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not completed a boating safety education course. Anecdotal Accident Reports · Singlehanded racer fell overboard while tethered to his boat and died. (09/02)· US SAILING Team member injured by a powerboat while training. (08/02) · Ten-year old junior sailor was trapped and rescued by her instructor when a Blue Jay turtled. (08/02) · Fifteen-year old junior sailor was hit by blast of a cannon at the start of a race and needed surgery. (07/02) · Three crewmembers were rescued when they fell overboard in the Newport Bermuda race (Category 1 race). (06/02) · Crewmember lost at sea when he fell overboard in the Block Island Race (Category 3 race). (05/02) · Austrian crewmember lost at sea when his Tornado turtled in a race. (03/02) · Person was rescued from water after engine of an auxiliary sailboat exploded and boat caught on fire. (06/02) Hanson rescue award · Three crewmembers were thrown overboard and rescued when a Moore 24 broached in a race. (05/02) Hanson rescue award · Crewmember went overboard and was rescued (but later died) when a Farr 40 broached in a race. (09/01) Hanson rescue award · Four crewmembers went overboard and were rescued when a J40 and Merit 25 collided and the Merit 25 sank in a race. (08/01) Hanson rescue award · MC scow singlehanded racer suffered a heart attack and was rescued. (05/01) Hanson rescue award US SAILING’s Focus Group Report The report stated that: · All groups are interested in expanding the sport (non-members for sharing sailing and current/lapsed members for increasing quantity and quality of competition) and want it to be the result of or accompanied by education.· All respondents are primarily concerned about safety. Respondents believe that, if people are properly educated, they will not only learn the pleasures of the sport, but also create a safer sailing environment for everyone. Safety Research · Under Richard McCurdy’s leadership, US SAILING (USYRU) entered into a joint research project with SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers) concerning “Safety from Capsizing.” The findings and recommendations had a tremendous impact on design, construction, equipment and safety at sea.· John Bonds and the US Naval Academy Sailing Squadron developed the Quick-Stop technique to return to an overboard victim, while at the same time The Sailing Foundation in Seattle was working on the Lifesling recovery method. The Safety-at-Sea Committee served to help coordinate the efforts of these two groups, provide peer review and published a report on the overboard studies. More recent research has focused on equipment studies conducted by The Sailing Foundation, West Marine and the US Naval Academy Sailing Program, and the issue of recovering an unconscious overboard victim investigated by a west coast sailing school. Over the years, the Training Committee and its National Faculty have investigated improvements in rescue and safety techniques for its constituents, which were integrated into its publications and courses. There is a need for ongoing, rigorous research and a renewed focus on prevention and rescue techniques for all kinds of sailboats. Findings must be promulgated to US SAILING’s constituents and other organizations involved with boating and sailing. Sports Medicine and Medical Safety Issues Section III Overview of Current Safety Education Situation US SAILING’s Safety at Sea Seminars for Offshore Yachts 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:
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:
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 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. US SAILING’s Education & Training Programs · 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. · 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. Non-US SAILING Safety/Seamanship Seminars · 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. Section IV Potential Market Opportunities 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.
· Improve the website to enhance access to safety, seamanship and sports medicine resources across all disciplines of US SAILING.
· Develop a plan for online educational resources that would address:
· Encourage the renewal of research.
· 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.
· Encourage alliances and partnerships with other organizations to:
· 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 management of safety related training products in collaboration with the Safety-at-Sea Committee.
B. Offshore Audience · Address ISAF Special Regulations issues.
· Improve and update the Safety at Sea Seminars, while maintaining high quality.
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?).
C. Inshore Audience · Encourage safety/seamanship training for small boat and one-design sailors.
Section VI Process Considerations for Implementation 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. Race Categories (ISAF’s Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Racing)
Note: Categories listed above are assigned by Notice of Race or best information available. Some of the assigned categories are inconsistent with the definitions of the Special Regulations’ categories. Survey Participants Dick Allsopp |