Features
May 2012 Issue
US Sailing Investigator’s Recommendations
Ron Trossbach, the lead investigator for US Sailing in the Rambler 100 incident, recommended the following changes to US Sailing’s Offshore Special Regulations (OSR) and US Sailing Prescriptions. He also recommended that these be forwarded to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to be included the ISAF Special Regulations Governing Offshore Racing for Monohulls. The items in parentheses reflect the OSR section that would be amended.
- Modify ISAF OSR Appendix K (Movable and Variable Ballast) to include emergency escape and access to a life raft and grab bag from an inverted position. (ISAF OSR , App K)
- Add a requirement to be able to launch a horseshoe, man-overboard-module, or Lifesling from an inverted position.
- Add a requirement to paint underwater appendages with an area of highly visible color for movable ballasted boats. (OSR 4.02.3)
- Require Digital Selective Calling (DSC) connection and emphasize its use in a MAYDAY Situation. (OSR 3.29)
- Add a recommendation that the required waterproof handheld VHF radio have DSC installed. (OSR 3.29.1 e)
- Mount one EPIRB topside. (OSR 4.19)
- Add a requirement that AIS remain on during all races. (OSR 3.29.1 n)
- Mount AIS antennas on masthead. (OSR 3.29.1 n)
- Add a requirement to list PLB info on crew lists for offshore races. (OSR 4.19 e)
- Add a recommendation that PLB owners add their boat’s name on PLB registration forms. (OSR 5.01 k)
- Require full ISAF hands-on training for all US Cat 1 and 2 Race Boats. (OSR 6.01)
- Emphasize the need for USCG to accept ISO life jacket standards. (OSR 5.01)
- Add requirement to wear PFD and harness when reefed to US Sailing Prescription. (OSR 5.02.5)
- Recommend that all auto-inflatable PFDs have a manual-only option. (OSR 5.01)
- Review tether snaphook design requirements. ( OSR 5.02.5 d)
- Add warning notes about whistle and strobe light adequacy. (OSR 5.01)
- Modify the existing recommendation (ISAF OSR 5.02.5 e) to pre-fit and keep your own PFD, tether, and harness for the duration of the race.
Comments (1)
A harness is only as good (or bad) as common sense allows it to be. On a delivery of an older Pierson 30 from Annapolis to Phila., we were on a dead run with no boom vang or spares to rig. I suggested (foolishly) to sit on the boom to prevent it rising in 20 knot puffs. Fortunately, I elected to release my tether from the lee jackline B4 sitting on the boom. You can guess the rest. The skipper lost concentration and performed a "Chinese jibe" which launched me in the air and toward the drink on the opposite side of the boat. As I recall flying through the air as if it were in slow motion, I had the presence of mind to reach out with both hands, grab the windward shroud, pieroette around it and land flat on my back on the coach house deck. No injuries other than my pride for doing something stupid to begin with. HOWEVER, had I not previously unhooked the tether, I probably would have broken my back with the boom slamming across with my only my tethered torso to stop it. A harness always clipped on when on deck? You be the judge! Stan Feldman
Posted by: Stan F | April 26, 2012 12:35 AM Report this comment
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