US Sailing Recommendations

The US Sailing report makes seven specific recommendations, several calling for important research into ways to prevent future accidents such as the one that took the life of Olivia Constants.

Capsize Causes and Recovery

Trials and other research should be undertaken on avoiding capsize and turtling by Club 420s, and also on righting them and recovering crew.

Life Jackets

Various types of life jackets should be tested with the aim of identifying their strengths and limitations for dinghy sailing.

Trapeze Gear and Training

Re-creations of the Annapolis accident and other accidents will help identify risks, as well as the equipment and skills needed for trapeze work.

Entrapment

Research should be conducted with turtled boats and crews with the aims of identifying sailor entrapment, and developing and teaching effective methods of recovery.

Electronic Communications

There should be trials of the relative effectiveness in emergencies of old media (VHF-FM), new media (cell phones, social media), alarms (PLB, SPOT), and signals (flares, whistles, lights).

Language

A standard vocabulary and grammar should be developed for emergency communications, both verbal and non-verbal.

Crisis/Incident/Disaster Plans

Model risk management procedures and incident/disaster plans should be developed as templates for use by yacht clubs, race organizers, and sailing programs.

Read More on These Topics

• Lifejackets and Harnesses
• Safety & Seamanship