17 April 2006
Dear Competitor
Re: NESS
Observations from 1st Race of Royal Quays Spring Series
You will be aware of the initiative being taken by NESS to raise awareness and the standard of Safety Equipment carried on board boats racing on the coast within the NECRA and Club racing calendars.
Monday 17th April 2006 saw the start of the Royal Quays Spring Series with wind speeds peaking at around 35 knots.
The severe wind conditions caused a large number of boats in the fleet to encounter difficulties including a broken mast, collisions, damaged sails, broken fittings and crew in the water.
The conditions highlighted a number of areas that gave rise for concern and will prompt a further review of the recently published NESS Safety Regulations.
- Sports boats with inoperative and / or too small outboard engines to power the vessel during high winds.
- Inexperience of some crews for such conditions
- Poor judgement of the 'Person in Charge' of vessels after considering the experience of the crew and the suitability of their vessel.
- Potentially insufficient Safety Boat cover for an event of this size in those conditions.
- Lack of competitor VHF communication.
- Suitability of lifejackets / buoyancy aids for Sports Boats crews.
- Lack of suitable anchoring equipment.
The Club Safety Officers of NESS will re visit Safety Regulations in the very near future and would welcome comments from competitors in the light of their experiences from Monday for consideration in their review.
In the meantime may we remind everyone of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulation Cat 4 (1.02)
1.02 Responsibility of Person in Charge
1.02.1 The safety of a yacht and her crew is the sole and inescapable responsibility of the person in charge who must
do his best to ensure that the yacht is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who have
undergone appropriate training and are physically fit to face bad weather. He must be satisfied as to the soundness of
hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. He must ensure that all safety equipment if properly maintained and stowed and
that the crew know where it is kept and how it is to be used.
1.02.2 Neither the establishment of these Special Regulations, their use by race organizers, nor the inspection of a yacht
under these Special Regulations in any way limits or reduces the complete and unlimited responsibility of the person in charge.
1.02.3 Decision to race - The responsibility for a yacht's decision to participate in a race or to continue racing is
hers alone - RRS Fundamental Rule 4.
If anyone has any comments or questions regarding any of the above, please contact your Club Safety Officers.