Avoiding dangerous situations during racing
MHYC's Sailing Program aims to provide enjoyable racing with series that focus on both the competitive and social aspects of the sport. One of the key aims of race management is to ensure racing is conducted in a safe manner and considerations include:
- If the weather is suitable for racing or likely to change during the race
- The type of boats and experience of the crews to manage the conditions
- Presence and schedules of commercial shipping
- Interaction with recreational boating traffic and other clubs’ racing fleets
- Availability of rescue resources
We also need to be aware that our use of the Harbour is a privilege which we need to safeguard. The rights of other harbour users, both recreational and commercial, need to be considered and we are subject to oversight from the authorities, specifically NSW Maritime.
Even with thorough preparation, situations may arise during the race that have not been anticipated. The aim of this article is to suggest ways that boats can respond to safety incidents as they become apparent. We use two real incidents as examples and conclude with some recommendations.