DEE CAFFARI

SAFETY AT SEA IS A PARAMOUNT CONCERN FOR ANY SKIPPER – ESPECIALLY WHEN A CREW RECONVENES AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AWAY, OR NEW CREW JOIN UP

As a skipper and someone who regularly sails on board new boats with new teams, safety is a priority for me. We all know that accidents happen and, with some of the faster modern boats, they can happen really fast and very suddenly. When something goes wrong, it goes really wrong, often when it is dark and bad weather. These conditions are not typical of when we practise elements of the safety training. We like flat water, daylight and when everyone is fresh and can concentrate.

The Clipper Race, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Vendée Globe, delivery trips and cruising rallies have all seen fatalities. Sailing as a sport is inherently risky, and that is also part of its appeal. Harnessing the power of nature is a reminder that we are working with something we have no control over. Even as a more sedentary pastime there is a risk of adverse conditions. There is an element of luck involved and we must do all we can to ensure a successful outcome in the worst scenarios.

The America’s Cup boats were sailing along reaching speeds of 50 knots and during manoeuvres we saw the sailors thrown from the boats. The GC32S have launched their sailors overboard with their acceleration and deceleration. At foiling speeds this is dangerous and steps have been taken with kit, course designs and safety support to deal with these situations. No matter what the speed or circumstances, as a crew sailing a yacht you need to know what to do in the event of a situation that leaves a crew member swimming.

Safety assumptions

But how often and in how much depth should teams address the issue of man overboard (MOB) and the wearing of lifejackets? Is it once a year, is it talked about each time the crew sail together, is it addressed at the start of each race? What is the right time to raise the subject?

All boats now have a multitude of safety kit carried on board. Some of this is issued to the crew, but is it worn? Do all the crew know how to use it? Do they know what each item does? We have AIS beacons, we have personal EPIRBS, we can have equipment fitted in our lifejackets but when do we wear them? We have MOB buttons, but have we ever pressed them and used the information? Have we sailed out of sight of our bucket-and-fender imaginary MOB and used the charting software to get back?

Do we know how to use the equipment carried for the conscious body and what about the unconscious body in the water? Have we elected the swimmer for the watch? Do they have their kit ready in an easy to reach grab bag? Do we have a procedure to keep them safe too?

Leaving things to chance

As sailing and racing crews, we need to make sure we address these issues to ensure we have fun in a safe environment. There is a lot of text out there about equipment and procedures. That is not my agenda here. I want to remind yacht crews that when there is a new crew member joining, or it has been a few weeks since everyone sailed together, go over the safety procedures for the boat. Have a recap to ensure everyone is back up to speed. It will build the team and augment the trust levels within the crew. Look at the equipment together and make sure everyone is familiar with it. Murphy’s Law says that when something happens it will be bad weather, the middle of the night or low visibility; and when it goes wrong it will happen fast. The last thing you will want to be doing is wondering if you have your lifejacket on automatic or manual, and if your AIS unit is in your pocket or fitted to your lifejacket.

Good practice is to make a little video of a MOB exercise using all the equipment your boat is fitted with, like a MOB button, the software on the electronic charts setting the course to return to the position and the roles on board. The pointer, the driver, the crew dropping sails, the swimmer getting ready, the boat hook and throwing line being deployed, the equipment to be thrown over the back of the boat. Then make another video of the body recovery, ensuring your boat has the right equipment for the task. This will reassure new crew and you can be confident you can provide your team with the resources to remind themselves of safety procedures all the time.

Then we can all enjoy fun, fast and most importantly safe sailing.

‘GOOD PRACTICE IS TO MAKE A LITTLE VIDEO OF A MOB EXERCISE TO SHOW CREW’