PLYM YACHT CLUB RACING MANUAL GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENT – SAFETY ON THE WATER INTRODUCTION 1. The Plym Yacht Club (PYC) runs a number of events in a year, details are given in the Racing Events Diary. 2. Racing will mainly take place in the confined waters of the Plymouth Sound. Some events are coastal races which may venture up to about 12 miles offshore and start or finish at other nearby ports. Competitors are self sufficient keel boats which should be equipped with VHF radios. All races should take part in daylight, with the possible exception of a Moonlight Race which will take place given sufficient interest. 3. This type of racing does not attract significant attention from n on-participants, except for a few marine photographers. 4. The drafts of the competitor yachts taking part will normally be below 2.5 metres. 5. There is a risk of collision, which is always present in sailing, the crews will be familiar with their vessels so accidents due to misjudgements should not be expected. 6. There is a risk of injury to the crews of the yachts, most notably in cases of gear breakage, collision or Man-Overboard (MOB). 7. The race area and complexity of courses means safety cover is impracticable. Competitors may be up to 25 miles away from race management resources, therefore in common with other events of this type, the majority of safety cover is provided by competitors on a mutual help basis. 8. This paper assesses the likely risks that will be encountered in the racing areas and defines the measures needed to reduce the risks to an acceptable level. The PYC Yachts Incident Procedure identifies the command and control procedures in the event of untoward circumstances. 1 RACE AREAS 9. Racing will take place within the Plymouth Sound Area and Coastal Waters as described above. RACE TIMING 10. The races will start as notified in the official Notices of Race.. . TIDAL INFORMATION 11. Tidal information for race days is published in the water events diary. Competitors and race management will be aware of such information. WEATHER LIMITATIONS 12. When the wind increases above certain levels, the quality and enjoyment of racing generally suffer well before the conditions create a major safety impact on rigs, sails or crew. These levels vary between the standard of yacht crews along with other factors such as tide, sea state, visibility and weather conditions. The Principal Race Officer (PRO) will assess the conditions and their impact on race quality, enjoyment and safety with regard to the postponement, abandonment or cancellation of racing. Where a Committee Boat, or mark laying boat is used, the limiting factor is the safety of the crews on Boats. TYPES OF RISK 13. Collision. (a) Racing yacht and racing yacht: Most yachts taking part in PYC events will be helmed and crewed by experienced sailors, who know their own boats’ performance, and also the performance of other boats taking part. They should know the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) and rules of yacht racing and obey them. Most yachts will have as part of their crews experienced yacht sailors; however, some of the crews may not be completely familiar with the Plymouth Sound or with the strength of its tidal streams. Collisions occur occasionally in yacht racing, particularly where one yacht is restricted in its movement. Therefore there is a risk of a collision between two or more racing yachts, albeit a small one, due to: ● A miscalculation of the depth of water close to the shores of the Sound, thus demanding a rapid change of course to avoid grounding. ● A miscalculation of the strength of the stream near a rounding mark, again demanding a rapid change of course. ● Incorrect perception of another yachts actions. 2 ● Crews not maintaining a proper lookout. Risk Assessment: The risk varies between different standard of yacht crews, the race area and numbers of participants. It is estimated that the risk of collision is no higher than could be anticipated in other regattas. The start line and the rounding marks are the two most likely locations for an accident of this sort. Minimising the Risks: Beyond normal good race management, there is very little the race committee can do to reduce the risks. (b) Racing yacht and spectator craft: From past experience such racing does not attract a high level of interest from spectator craft, except marine photographers. However, it cannot be assumed that spectator vessels have the necessary expertise and experience to understand the manoeuvres of racing yachts. Risk Assessment: Competitors are responsible to maintain a good look out and take appropriate avoiding action as IRPCS. The risk is assessed as very low. (c) Racing yacht and casual cruiser: Plymouth Sound is a popular area for sailing and it is expected that there will be boats cruising which have no particular interest in the racing. Therefore a boat casually transiting from A to B may get entwined in the racing fleet by accident; however, most cruising yachts will avoid the trauma of interfering with a racing fleet. While such boats should have knowledge of the IRPCS rules and what action to take, it is possible that not all will. Risk Assessment: Competitors are responsible to maintain a good look out and take appropriate avoiding action as per IRPCS. The risk is assessed as very low. (d) Racing yacht and commercial/MOD vessel: Plymouth is a busy port with numerous commercial, naval and ferry traffic. The ferry operators are extremely experienced and understand yacht racing. Commercial and naval vessels are generally restricted to deep-water channels and it is impracticable for yacht racing to avoid sharing these areas. Risk Assessment: With careful course setting and co-ordination with Long Room Port Control, the risk of this sort of collision is assessed as very low. A notice in the sailing instructions reminds competitors are reminded of their responsibilities in the confined waters of he Sound. (e) 14. Minimising the risk: Whilst the risk of this sort of collision is very low, it can be reduced further by good race management. Boat Damage 3 The potential for damage from collision or equipment failure are assessed: Risk Assessment: The majority of competitors taking part in this series will be experienced at racing and will be familiar with the types of risk identified here. It is assessed that the risks are no higher than at other local events. Minimising the risks: The risks can be minimised by good race management practices and the deterrent effect of a strong Race Protest Committee. 15. Personal Injury Personal injury to a crew member due to gear failure, collision or a misjudgement in boat handling are the most prevalent causes in yacht racing. Because of the water temperature at most times of the year, an MOB has a serious risk of hypothermia. Risk Assessment: The risks of personal injury in this series is assessed as no higher than in other racing scenarios, particularly if notice is taken of the weather constraints. The greatest danger will arise from collisions, MOB, gear failure or handling misjudgement. In general, a collision, accidental gybe or rig failure could create a moderate to high risk of personal injury, especially with the complication of an MOB. Minimising the risks: The risks can be minimised by good race management practices and the deterrent effect of a strong Race Protest Committee. 16. Competitor Accounting The accounting of all yachts and crew in this type of event is straight forward, yachts assemble from local marinas and moorings, and on retiring will return to their berths*. At the conclusion of each race, all yachts are accounted for, either by finishing or the requirement to notify the race control of retirement. * The Exception to this is the Race to Fowey where the RFYC takes responsibility for recording finishers and retirements. RFYC will be asked to confirm to PYC that all yachts are safely accounted for. Each competitor should have a contact ashore who has details of the sailors on each yacht. MIKE PEARSON, CHRIS COMPTON TABULAR DESCRIPTION OF RISK AND REMEDIAL ACTION PYC YACHTS INCIDENT PROCEDURE Types of Incident covered by this plan 1. Request from a competitor for assistance. 4 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Request from the Coastguard (CG) for assistance. Sight of a distress situation. Adverse weather causing abandonment. Adverse weather causing major concern for competitor safety. Damaged competitor or rigging causing a blockage to the port. Responsibilities Principal Race Officer (PRO) ● Overall race control on the water. ● Contractible by VHF and mobile phone, to keep a log in the event of serious incident (written or audiotape). ● Abandonment is at his sole discretion in the event of extreme conditions or when race management resources have to be re-deployed. Club Duty Officer (CDO) and Spokesman ● To control information at the Plym Yacht Club Control, emergency services, relatives and media. ● Contractible by VHF and mobile phone, to keep a log in the event of serious incident (written or audiotape). ● Be able to disengage from ongoing race management and set up Incident Control Room (ICR). To appoint club members to act as hosts for the police, media, etc., and brief them not to disclose information. Detailed Plans In all cases radio traffic to be logged and notes kept if practicable (including audio tape). Request from a competitor for assistance ● Injured Crew or Sinking Boat Ask competitor to contact the Long Room (Chn 14) directly, if unable to do so – call CG (Chn 16). Ask competitor in distress to summon assistance using a flare. Weather and circumstances permitting, despatch a RIB to recover MOB. MOB to be transferred to yacht cabin as soon as is practicable. Competitor to return to port with minor casualties for medical assistance. ● Boat aground or dismasted Ask competitor to contact the Long Room (Chn 14) directly, if unable to do so – call CG (Chn 16). If boat disabled and MCA assets unavailable, consider towing, either after race finish, or with non-essential race management assets. Request from the Long Room for Assistance ● Depending on the request, the PRO to consider the following options: 1. Send RIB (if available) 2. Request for RNLI. 3. Request for MoD Police. 4. Abandoning one or more races to send one or more assets. 5 Sight of a Distress Situation ● Immediately call to the Long Room Port Control. ● During starting sequence call assistance from competitors on the race channel. ● Depending on the request, the PRO to consider the following options: 1. Send RIB (if available) 2. Abandoning one or more races to send one or more assets. ● ● ● ● ● ● Adverse Weather causing Abandonment Inform Long Room. All Committee Boat crew to wear lifejackets. Send RIBs to safety. Signal abandonment so that as many competitors as possible will be aware. Station a RIB in sheltered water at the mouth of the Cattewater to log in competitors (if available, or log from start box.) If possible request Long Room to ensure course area is cleared. Adverse Weather causing major concern for competitor Safety Inform Long Room. All Committee boat crew to wear lifejackets. Send Ribs to safety. Signal abandonment so that as many competitors as possible will be aware. Station a RIB in sheltered water at the mouth of the River Plym to log in competitors (if available, or log from start box.) ● If possible request Long Room to ensure course area is cleared. ● ● ● ● ● Damaged Competitor or rigging causing a blockage to the port ● Inform Long Room. ● If possible without affecting racing, send RIB or Committee Boat to assist. No responsibility to be accepted. Shore-side Rendezvous (for ambulance etc.) include: ● All tidal states: Mountbatten Watersports Centre, Plymouth Pontoon by Mayflower Steps.. Resources/Contacts List Latest Update : February 2010 6