Auckland, NZL (March 9, 2015) – An independent report into the grounding of Team Vestas Wind on Leg 2 of the Volvo Ocean Race was released today. It included a set of recommendations aimed at improving safety at sea for the entire offshore racing community. Click here for full report. In particular, it has suggested…
Fire Extinguisher recall
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has reported that well-known fire extinguisher manufacturer, Kidde, in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has announced a voluntary recall to replace certain Kidde fire extinguisher units. A faulty valve component can cause the disposable fire extinguishers not to fully discharge when the lever…
Ice Zone – Search and Rescue
Ice Zone Search and Rescue by Matt Kenney is a great read with methods you could apply in any waters in the world if you have a man overboard or missing vessel.
US Sailing publishes new report regarding dyneema lifelines
Dyneema+Spectra+Lifeline+Revision+Jan+2014 Here is a picture of a method employed to minimise chafe on a race boat as the line goes through a stanchion.
USCG publishes alert for offshore sailing
USCG Alert-14 Regarding Offshore Sailing 9 Jan 2014
U.S. Sailing has approved new Safety Equipment Requirements
US sailing safety equip US Sailing’s Safety at Sea Committee has conducted an overhaul of ISAF’s Offshore Special Regulations (OSR), which describes the gear required to be used on sailboats when racing in most local and offshore races in the U.S. The U.S. Safety Equipment Requirements (USSER) document is intended to be used by race…
Report Cites Problems with Spinlock Deckvests
This is an excellent blog post which we encourage you to read regarding Spinlock deckvests.
New Distress Frequency Change This Week
Reprint from Latitude 38 July 31, 2013 – Pacific Coast of North America Offshore sailors make note: Effective Wednesday, August 1, the US Coast Guard will no longer monitor voice frequency 2182 kHz for International distress and safety. They will also drop 2670 kHz for marine information and weather broadcasts, and they will discontinue…
ISAF Sea Survival courses at SFYC
The next ISAF Sea Survival courses at San Francisco Yacht Club have been announced. They will take place November 2nd – 3rd and November 9th and 10th. Please sign up by going to SFYC website.
Flying with your inflatable lifejacket
At this time of year a lot of people in the northern hemisphere are flying to race starts with their inflatables. Here are some useful documents to download and put in your bag with your lifejacket. Have fun and be safe where ever you are sailing. 2229-2229-DV on Aircraft_994[1] – From Spinlock if you have one…