Have your say

We publish the second part of feedback received to Paul Henderson’s article of 6 April 2002.

Jake Kohl, USA
Regarding the article, “ISAF President Requests Feedback on Safety Issues” dated April 15, 2002 By Paul Henderson, I would like to submit the following comments about trapeze safety. I feel that a safety release, such as a seat belt in a car, would be complicated and unreliable given the corrosive nature of salt water sailing. The demanding nature of sailors would not accept an unreliable piece of gear regardless the necessity or mandate.

There must be a simpler way (see below). A second issue that I feel should be examined is the amount of buoyancy provided by the wet suits and life vests we wear. A sailor trapped under a capsized catamaran and hooked with his trapeze has their buoyancy working against them. While I would not suggest negating the buoyancy requirements, perhaps a good look can be taken at the amount of buoyancy racing sailors are required to wear. Perhaps a lesser requirement would be had for double handed sailboats where an unconscious sailor would have more support nearby while a greater requirement is made for single handed sailors.

A fellow catamaran enthusiast posted the following image on
http://www.catsailor.com . Here he shows a simple trapeze system that uses a ball and receiver instead of the dogbone and hook. It is no longer in production but was called the “SailSafe” trap buckle and was made by Sailing Systems, Inc. (in the US I am guessing).

Fred Eaton, Canada
I believe the President has made valid and useful comments in his April 15th letter on safety issues. I am a racer of International 14s and Australian 18 foot skiffs – both high performance, everyone on the trapeze, dingies. I have sailed this style of boat for over 10 years.

In particular I support his comments on requiring trapeze hooks to be open and easily detachable. In other forums I have read advocates of redsigned trapeze attachments, but I believe unobstructed open hooks as currently designed do not present a safety hazard.

In my experience I have not witnessed any need to modify this connection to reduce the risk of unintended release, and do not recall a hook in good condition ever releasing except in a case of the hook completely falling off the vest.

I have sailed with crew who have shacked their hook to the boat and when the boat capsized and things went wrong I feared their drowning. Happily we escaped frightened but without injury. I do not plan to install similar equipment on my boat in the future.

Regarding life jackets, while I would never sail my 14 without one (with positive flotation), I remain undecided about 18s. In my 18 I have been in some situations when I would rather have been wearing it and others when I would rather not have been wearing it. I think it is important to continue to let individual classes decide for themselves the appropriate guidelines regarding life jacket safety. I do not believe ISAF needs to change the current situation.

On weight jackets, I believe the President is right to enforce the ban on weight jackets of any design – either visible or clandestine.

Thank you for your efforts to keep sailing safe and enjoyable.

Linda Goldsmith, Rear Commodore, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, AUS

The Henderson debate on safety issues, particularly use of pfd’s, is timely.

In Melbourne, we are in the midst of an Inquest into a drowning death in December 2000 in a closed – water keel boat race.

The Coroner’s emphasis seems to be whether it is possible, or even advisable, to make compulsory the wearing of pfd’s and associated safety equipment in closed-water racing events. The divergence in expert opinion is marked.

The Inquest should be completed by early June 2002 and may have implications not only for individual yachties but for the Clubs and classes in Victoria which manage racing.

Have your say – email ISAF on webfeedback@isaf.co.uk