Fear of going over the side!!!!

[Swagman]

[ QUOTE ]
Am I right in thinking that, in this case it wasn't a question of 'should they or shouldn't they' have been wearing lifejackets and harnesses, but that they had too. RORC regulations compel crew to wear LJs and harnesses in conditions when oilies are worn, after dark and in wind strengths over, is it 17 knots?

They could (should?) have been disqualified...?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure what category they raced this under but if it were Cat 2 (close to shore / open waters) then the regs say:

5.01.6 A harness and lifejacket shall be worn when on deck
a) between the hours of sunset and sunrise

b) when alone on deck

c) when reefed

d) when the true wind speed is 25 knots or above

e) when the visibility is less than 1 nautical mile

As most racers know - few do hold to these regulations.
JOHN

 

[Ships_Cat]

No probelm Awol.

Was alot of discussion about lifejackets (and marine safety) a few years back here and also drownings in general over all activities. I was exposed to the boating side but only through my involvement at the time in the safety management of commercial vessels (which, of course, have always had to carry lifejackets) so not directly involved in the lifejacket discussions.

But, for the situation of all drownings including boating, the outcome was that the best way to make an impact was to increase people's abilities and confidence in the water. This partly because the majority of drowning occur outside of the boundaries that mandatory lifejacket wearing would affect. Obviously this is hard to do with oldies but much easier with children. Even when I was at school, now a goodly lot of years back, swimming was a compulsory activity and during summer was always a couple of hours in the school or other pool each week but not so much training - sink or swim type stuff. I understand that has been improved upon.

With respect to pleasure boats and lifejackets the outcome (and the regulators and the pleasure boating organisatons were in complete agreement on this) was that again, education was the best approach. However, it was made mandatory in new navigation rules (2003) to carry sufficient lifejackets in every boat appropriate for those on board. The rule also adds

no person in charge of a recreational craft may use that craft in circumstances where tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, adverse weather, emergencies or other situations cause danger or a risk to the safety of persons on board, unless every person on board is wearing a properly secured personal flotation device of an appropriate size for that person.

I think that is a sensible rule and gets around the blind adherence some have to wearing lifejackets all the time regardless of conditions and boat size (like I assume they think they should also be worn on superyachts and perhaps even in the restaurants of cruise ships - I rarely see any of the posters of claiming lifejackets should be worn drawing any sensible boundaries apart from "always"). It also encourages peeps to think about what is dangerous and what is not, and then act appropriately.

Like other countries the vast majority of boats here are under 7m (most western countries seem to be "guessed" at as being around 90% or thereabouts) so during the summer months there is advertising on TV encouraging the wearing of lifejackets. But that seems to be understood by all that is aimed at smaller boats and not at those on superyachts (and even smaller like many of us /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif).

John

 

[Ships_Cat]

As most racers know - few do hold to these regulations.

And as far as I know they only apply to races under the auspices of the RORC, so a very small proportion of all races (in the world) - they are definitely not in the International Sailing Federation's ISAF Special Regulations (in which I think the RORC adds their requirement in their local doctored version of), nor in the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing either as best I can recall (they talk about the skipper being responsible for the safety of the boat and its crew, and for each member of the crew to be responsible for their own safety).

John

 

[jhr]

I always wear a lifejacket, for reasons similar to jimi. Experience is a useful thing, but it didn't save Eric Tabarly, whereas a lifeline or life jacket might have.....................

 

[AlJones]

Good point.

As part of a brief when I receive an enquiry about corporate charter, the other situation I use is that I never let a charter go out if there is only ONE person aboard who could take charge of the vessel in the event of a MOB.

We all remember the sad incident with regard to the media mogal Chris Evans when they sadly lost their skipper and there was no one aboard who could turn the boat around or use the VHF.

I would hate to have to deal with that scenario.

AJ

 

[awol]

Another reason for wearing a lifejacket is it makes recovery of a body more probable. Makes probate and inheritance a lot easier to deal with, and quicker. Morbid perhaps, but a definite closure for any loved ones.

 

[Dyflin]

Speaking of which;

"Body of yachtsman found off Plymouth coast...

...The man had been wearing a high-visibility green and yellow jacket, but no lifejacket or harness. He had been on passage from Salcombe to his mooring near Cawsand Bay, and was last seen motoring off Thurlestone around 730pm on Saturday. The wind was from the west to the south-west F3, visibility was good and sea state slight".

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20060804101842pbogeneral.html