Sailing Magazine
If you are interested in having a sailing holiday, think no further than Sunsail (www.sunsail.com) who have bases throughout the world. Click the links within their advert to get more information.
To Subscribe: Mail (sailing@iafrica.com) with the words ‘SUBSCRIBE TO TALKING SAILING’ in the subject line.
issue – 42
23 May 2016
by Richard Crockett
Publisher & Editor of SAILING Magazine
Reader response is welcome – respond to: editor@sailing.co.za
Readers are encouraged to forward this to their sailing mates
Apologies for the delay in this issue but some ‘technical issues’ have prevented it being sent. Hopefully these are behind us now.
The Vasco da Gama Ocean race is now a mere memory, but what a great race this was, with positive spinoff for the 2017 event. So read on…
Enjoy this issue, and please share it with your mates as the more people “Talking Sailing” the stronger our sport will be.
In this issue we “Talk About”…
• Vasco da Gama Ocean Race
• GIMCO Vasco da Gama Race Tracking
• Vasco: Facebook Page
• Vasco: Some Interesting Stats
• Mossel Bay Race to be Revived
• Jester Azores Challenge
• SAMSA – Maybe There is Hope Yet?
• SAS CEO
• Olympic Sailing Schedule
• Dabchick Class 60th Anniversary
• Dabchick Plans
• Ferro Cement Yachts
• World Sailing Mid-Year Meeting
• Bart’s Bash
• A Solo Record Attempt – This Must be a Record non-Record!
• US Coast Guard Accident Statistics for 2015
• Harnessing the Oceans
• Some Humour
• Historical Dates of Interest in June
• How True! This Simply Needs to Be Said!
• I Like This!
• Some Selected Responses to “Talking Sailing”
• A Lasting Gift – A Subscription to Sailing Magazine
• Sailor of the Month – Submit Your Nomination Now
• To Subscribe to “Talking Sailing”
Vasco da Gama Ocean Race
This iconic ocean race again lived up to its reputation of being tough, yet every single boat that started made it to the finish in Port Elizabeth under its own steam. This was in contrast to last year’s race when the attrition rate was high.
Despite its tough nature, it attracted people from a broad spectrum of sailing backgrounds and from around the country, including a very enthusiastic team from Gariep Dam, a crew of Holiday 23 sailors and boats from Cape Town and even a trimaran from the Seychelles, which withdrew the day before the start.
The race started in a stiff south wester, yet this did not deter the enthusiasm of anyone, nor did it prompt the question from any skipper as to whether the start would be postponed – so eager were they all to get going.
I have always referred to this race as a navigator’s race – and this was no exception. Those who bit the bullet and stayed offshore the longest on the first day/night reaped the most rewards, while those who went inshore early on the first day put themselves at a distinct disadvantage, despite the offshore current not producing more than 1.5 to 2 knots at any point.
Newcomer to the race was Gabriel Fernandes on ‘Yes Girl’ – and he took control from the start line and sailed an impeccable race until, when surfing downwind at 16 knots of boat speed, his steering failed. A broken spinnaker pole was the main bit of damage, and after retiring into East London for repairs he carried on to Port Elizabeth.
What interested me was the amount of sympathy shown towards this crew when their retirement and damage was reported. They had a commanding lead in terms of line honours, and were in a titanic duel with ‘AL Mount Gay Rum’ for the handicap honours at that point. ‘AL’ went on to take both line and handicap honours, and break the race record by some 57 minutes.
Both Fernandes and van Rooyen have vowed to be back again next year.
That may have been the duel at the front of the fleet, but there were many others too numerous to mention here. But all came ashore knowing that they had finished a really tough race – and enjoyed it too!
I was impressed that the Rally Fleet crews all finished, with the 45′ Harley Tahitian ferro ketch ‘Ithaca’ taking the honours. I was impressed with their performance as they had a very cosmopolitan crew, some doing their first ocean race, while also having the owner’s children aboard – both who were under 10 years old. What a great experience for them – and a lifetime of memories too.
What did impress me though was the massive commitment made by so many people to do this race which has ‘iconic’ status and is one of those ocean races people want to be able to say they have done. And why not – it’s tough and an achievement whichever way you look at it.
The results and prize winner info can be viewed HERE
The start date next year is 27 April – so diarise it now and start planning immediately.
GIMCO Vasco da Gama Race Tracking
Phil Gutsche again sponsored the YB Trackers for this year’s race via GIMCO (Gutsche Investment & Management Company).
The trackers, updated every 15 minutes, brought the race into the homes and lives of those followers with an interest or loved ones competing. It was fascinating keeping an eye on the fleet and watching the tactics play out.
Quality tracking, such as the YB Tracking used for the last two races, turns ocean racing from a sport which happens beyond the horizon to a sport in our homes, offices and indeed on our mobile devices.
Official stats for this are not in yet, although preliminary info is that 6400 people watched the race on the internet site, and 920 on the app on mobile devices. These 920 people were new users who downloaded the app for this race, and does not take into account those who downloaded it last year.
And each person spent an average of 8 minutes and 25 seconds on the site every time they logged in.
Vasco: Facebook Page
Facebook was used to get the news out quickly and efficiently, even as the race Committee drove to Port Elizabeth from Durban the day after the start.
The following was absolutely phenomenal as these stats show:
• In the 28 days prior to the finish, there were 59 406 unique viewers.
• On a daily basis during the race alone there were 13 242 unique viewers.
• over a 7 day period during the race, there were 300 000 page views.
• 60% of viewers were men, and 40% women.
• 26% of male fans were between 35 and 54, and 18% of female in the same age group.
• Followed in 47 different countries.
Vasco: Some Interesting Stats
Of the approximately 130 competitors, 47 were ‘Vasco Virgins’ doing the race for the first time.
There were 22 crew under the age of 25.
The Choose Life Trophy for the first crew under the age of 25 on IRC handicap, went to Wade Ashton who is just 17 years old.
These stats are encouraging as it shows that there is great interest in this race from first-timers and young sailors.
Mossel Bay Race to be Revived
Okay, and upfront, I may be biassed here, but the re-birth of the Mossel Bay Race is being tagged as the SA’s Oldest Ocean Race – well that’s what their poster says.
Is this true as that statement will get Vasco Race pundits in a bit of a lather?
I don’t want to split hairs or create any unnecessary debate here as in my view the more ocean racing we have in this country, the better, so before a contest starts as to who has the oldest, here are my thoughts.
The Mossel Bay Race could be considered the oldest as it started before the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race which was first sailed in the ‘60s. The difference is that the Vasco da Gama Race has continued over the years, this year being the 45th race. The Mossel Bay Race has had its stops and starts and at one stage morphed into the Agulhas Race, so cannot be considered in any way to have had much continuity.
Whatever the views, there is no doubt in my mind that the success of the Vasco da Gama Ocean Race from Durban to Port Elizabeth has contributed to the revival of the Mossel Bay race – and a damn good thing too.
I sincerely hope that KZN sailors reciprocate and support this event.
While the Mossel Bay Race poster says ‘SA’s Oldest Ocean Race’, the press release on the race says: “Sixty plus years ago, on 26 December 1955, six yachts started a yacht race. The race, which Anthony Hocking describes in much detail in his book “Yachting in Southern Africa”, was conceived by Frank Morgan and Ivor Jamieson. Hocking describes how the two yachtsmen decided “that it was high time that the Royal Cape had a ‘real’ ocean race – something with a bit more of a challenge to it than the annual runs to Dassen Island and back”.
“So a race was organized. It started at Simonstown and finished at Mossel Bay. It was the first true ocean race ever held in South Africa.”
False Bay Yacht Club’s intention is to race this same historic course and hopefully to reignite offshore sailing in the Western Cape and make this an annual event for the future.
The Race Patron is Ted Kuttel and the Event Chairman is Dale Kushner.
The race starts on 29 September.
Information from Dale Smyth, 021-786 1703 or sailing@fbyc.co.za
Jester Azores Challenge
I have always been of the opinion that our sport is far too regulated in this country, and that SAMSA don’t really understand small boats and especially recreational boats – especially sailing vessels.
Why should they as they are ‘big boat’ shipping people.
I digress though. The Jester Azores Challenge started a few weeks back, and in sniffing around for info I was heartened by the way the organisers approached the event.
At the top of the page, written in bold caps is the following:
THERE WILL NOT BE A DELAY TO THE START DUE TO BAD WEATHER AS THIS DENIES THE SKIPPERS THE RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION: A CORE TENET OF THE JESTER CHALLENGE.
And that’s not all that heartened me, so read this:
The Jester Azores Challenge is run on a ‘gentlemanly basis’ within the following guidelines (just some of the pertinent ones are reproduced here):
• for sailing vessels between 20 and 30 feet (including multi-hulls).
• for skippers who are over the age of 18 on the 15th May 2016.
• human power is the only acceptable alternative propulsion to that of the wind: rowing, kedging or clubhauling, for instance, are permissible.
• single-handed to Praia de Vitoria, Terceira.
• one way.
• stops allowed.
• no time limit.
• engines may be fitted but only used to charge batteries for equipment such as mobile telephones, steering and navigation systems.
• no entrance fees.
• no inspections.
• no regulations: skippers will be entirely responsible for the equipment they take, based on their own experience.
• only hint of bureaucracy will be the signing of a form of indemnity accepting the skipper’s full duty of care for himself, his dependants and his fellow seafarers during his participation in the JAC 2016.
Prizes:
Not being a ‘race’ there is no official finishing order – there is of course a time of arrival – thus there are no prizes other than the personal satisfaction of having sailed fairly against peer vessels of a like construction, rig, size, skipper’s experience and so on; ie, a number of personal challenges within the whole.
It would be interesting to hear what SAMSA feels about this?
SAMSA – Maybe There is Hope Yet?
I have often stated that SAMSA is an acronym for Suffocating AMateur Sailing – and not much convinces me otherwise.
Yes there is always an exception to any rule, so I was heartened recently to have received correspondence from a reader who had been having problems with SAMSA. It all revolved around the fact that, a year after passing his Short Range Certificate, he had not been issue the licence.
Frustrated, he made direct contact with Tsietsi Mokhele, the CEO of SAMSA, and immediately (on the same day) he received the following response:
Dear (name deleted intentionally)
Your letter dated 22 April 2016, concerning the issuance of your radio ticket refers.
I welcome your letter raising the matter of the delays in granting your certificate. Already, on receiving the email I sent it to the key Senior Managers responsible for such business seeking a speedy resolution not only to your specific matter but to others who may be similarly affected.
Allow me to revert with a complete answer if not a solution to your situation.
We are here to serve the industry, not to keep people out of work or the oceans and inland waterways. Instead, we seek to maximise opportunities for sports, leisure, recreation and industry. Your intervention is most welcome.
Have a lovely weekend.
You will hear from us soon; I assure you that it will be no later than this coming week.
Regards,
Tsietsi Mokhele (Commander)
Guess what? Within a week he had received his licence. Well done SAMSA.
Now, working off this base, should the ‘heavies’ from SAS not be meeting with the CEO and undoing other bottlenecks we have in the sport and administration?
SAS CEO
Talking of CEOs, Peter Hall, Chairman of SAS, is calling for applications for the above position.
“We are very excited to be calling for applications for a full time CEO of South African Sailing. This role is crucial for the continued growth of our sport especially at the current time with many new opportunities and initiatives under way.
“The successful applicant would ordinarily be a contender for a material corporate role in the private sector with general management and fund raising experience. It is not necessary for the CEO to be a sailor or to have had a career in the marine sector. The full role specifications are detailed below.”
Role Specification, Job Description and Profile of the Chief Executive Officer for South African Sailing
South African Sailing (SAS) is the national body recognised by the Department of Sport and the South African National Sports Confederation (SASCOC) for the promotion, development and administration of all forms of sailing in South Africa. It is responsible not only for keel boats, dinghies and multi-hulls but also wind surfing, kite boarding and model yacht sailing. It is accountable to the South African Maritime Safety Authority for safety inspections of ocean going yachts and the issuing of skippers’ tickets.
The Mission of SAS is to “Enable Sailing for Life across all Sailing Disciplines for all South Africans”.
Currently there are some 8,500 registered sailors operating from 63 clubs in the country. The sport is challenged by a 20 year decline in participation, a global issue, and perceptions of being a “white elitist” activity, a particular domestic matter.
A little over a year ago SAS adopted a new Strategy. The basic platform of the Five Point programme is to professionalise the management of sailing in South Africa. The actions associated with this step are to employ a full time CEO, update the organisation structure, professionalise the operations and develop a strong revenue stream.
Role and Scope of the Chief Executive Officer’s Position
The CEO is responsible for the execution of SAS’s adopted Strategy.
Specifically, the CEO is charged with managing and continuously improving the performance and reputation of SAS in respect of:
• Building key stakeholder relationships with government, SASCOC, SAMSA, Lotto, the water authorities and World Sailing. Access to water for all South African Sailors is a Key Priority.
• Build the Base of sailing by introducing and retaining more people to all disciplines of sailing. The target for registered sailors in the country is 100 000.
• Transformation is the most critical Priority. It is not only about Ethnicity but also most importantly Gender and Disability. Success in this area will have benefits for all. The opportunity to grow a new generation of South Africans must excite the candidate.
• Podium finishes at the World’s Top Events including the Olympic Games and the Volvo Ocean Race.
• Building strong symbiotic partnerships with South Africa’s corporate sector, Lotto and government to ensure a sustainable financial model for SAS. A funding model needs to include income streams from Official Partners, Membership fees, Grants, Fundraising, Media and Advertising revenues. The investment case in SAS must be attractive.
• Financial performance and operational performance of SAS including the development and growth of SAS full time members of staff so that it is a preferred employer
The Board delegates its responsibilities to the CEO, except for:
• Ownership of the SAS Strategy and values
• Laying down instructions and rules concerning the organisation of administration and operations ie. Organisational structure
• Deciding on matters that are unusual or of far-reaching consequence
• Approval of the annual budget including capital spend
• Appointing and dismissing the CEO, and endorsing appointment of CEO’s direct reports
• Approving remuneration
• Setting the CEO’s performance goals and appraising performance
• Oversight of the organisation’s risk management
• Calling of, agendas for and proposals to the AGM and EGMs
• Significant legal proceedings
• Recommending appointment of and reviewing performance of auditors
Reporting and Relationships
The CEO reports to the Council. The CEO will, ex-officio, be a member of Council.
The Council currently consists of 11 members. There is a President, Vice President, Chairman, four Regional Councillors ( Northern Region, Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape) and four Discipline Representatives ie Transformation, Training and Development, Keelboats, Multi-hulls and Kite Boarding.
A Constitutional review is imminent as the Discipline Representatives are currently co-opted.
The Council meets in person four times a year. Meetings rotate around the four regions as does the AGM. There are video/ telephone interim meetings between the formal meetings to ensure continuity of work.
Profile
The CEO should be someone who would ordinarily be a contender for a material corporate role in the private sector. He or she needs to have general management experience, and is likely to have had at least 10 years post formal education work experience. It is not necessary for the CEO to be a sailor or to have had a career in the marine sector. The CEO should have competencies in dealing with corporate partners and understand the financial requirements of sponsorship investors.
The CEO should be someone with high personal standards in safety, business ethics and financial management, who will be committed to work with the executive team and Council and lead SAS to become the premier sporting code in South Africa and a leading sailing federation in World Sailing.
The following more specific experience is either essential or highly desirable:
• Previous experience in management;
• Ability to work with government and parastatal organisations
• Previous experience of corporate sponsorship;
• Capability in community engagement;
• Managing change;
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with executive teams and boards of third parties in an entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to communicate clearly with stakeholders including government;
All candidates are to submit their CV together, with a covering letter detailing their suitability for the role, to Wendy Adams at South African Sailing – saswc@sailing.org.za
Closing date for application is Tuesday 31 May 2016.
This appointment is way overdue and I sincerely hope that SAS receive a good number of suitable candidates making application.
There has been social media criticism of the fact that Hall’s letter says: It is not necessary for the CEO to be a sailor or to have had a career in the marine sector.
Many people believe this to be an oversight and that the person appointed has to be a yachtie.
I disagree with this as in my experience of people being employed to manage our sport, the best ones are those who come in fresh and with little knowledge of the sport, and with a willing to learn attitude. They are the ones who have ultimately served the sport longest, and with distinction.
Most, and there are exceptions, who have come in with some knowledge of sailing, or were involved romantically or otherwise with sailing people, simply turn to those known to them for advice, rather than to their superiors or the people heading the sport. There is absolutely nothing wrong with listening to what constituents want, but when modelling your admin role on the advice of a few who may only have their own agendas, does not work.
My observations are made over many years as I have witnessed the good and the bad.
Whatever your view the appointment of a CEO for SAS is way overdue and an exciting development. Roll on the announcement of the appointee.
Olympic Sailing Schedule
The Olympics is not far away now, so it’s time to plan your viewing and NOT have anything get in the way of watching our two sailing teams compete against the best in the world.
It is regrettable that we have just two teams, being Asenathi Jim and Roger Hudson in the Men’s two person dinghy (470) and Stefano Marcia in the Men’s single person dinghy (Laser), but the time, dedication and costs involved require a full time commitment as anything less simply does not cut it.
These are the Olympic Classes that will be sailing in Rio:
Event Name – Equipment Used
Men’s sailboard – RS:X
Men’s single person dinghy – Laser
Men’s heavyweight dinghy – Finn
Men’s two person dinghy – 470
Men’s two person skiff – 49er
Women’s sailboard – RS:X
Women’s single person dinghy – Laser Radial
Women’s two person dinghy – 470
Women’s two person skiff – 49er FX
Mixed multihull – Nacra 17
This is when our RSA teams will be sailing:
Asenathi & Roger Wednesday 10 August – Wednesday 17 August
Stefano Monday 8 August to Monday 15 August
The full schedule can be found HERE
Dabchick Class 60th Anniversary
These celebrations are in December this year, and should be a humdinger I am led to believe from the snippets I can glean.
There are now several Facebook groups and pages dedicated to the humble Dabchick which has stood the test of time – all 60 years of it.
One I like is simply called ‘Dabchick Oumanne & Ouchicks’. It has a good smattering of former Dabbie sailors from around the world all enthusing about the class, asking where their old boats are, posting pics and lots more.
An interesting post I particularly enjoyed in this group was from Michael Joubert, and read:
“A couple of us old dabbie sailors, Clive Walker, Mark Sadler, Rob van Wierengen and myself are living in Palma de Mallorca and a few weeks ago we were discussing the possibility of building a fleet of Dabbies here for our kids. Does anyone have any drawings?”
So go and check out this Facebook page.
Reader Andrew Mackenzie sent me this: “My son’s home-made one in the late ‘70s was built using Bill Ellen’s advice of ‘do it like we do Paper Tigers: 6mm ply and twice as many stringers’ which meant that it needed 4kg of lead – scrounged from Harry Ellen’s quarter tonner (‘Tokolosh’ I think). Home-made ally mast and boom with pop-rivetted half-tracks. Sold for R400 – at a profit!”
Remember the Bush brothers from Port Elizabeth? Well Alan Bush has been in contact regarding the Dabbie, and has this to say: “I saw on face book that you are doing an article to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Dabchick. I have a newspaper page with 5 photos of a regatta we had at Zwartkops Yacht Club in December 1959. If you are interested I will get it copied and sent to you. I sailed with Charlie Hills on his Dabbie which was the first one at Zwartkops – number 157 called ‘Cookie’. The fleet grew at both Zwartkops and Redhouse and sailing races were held during the December school holidays at Redhouse.”
There is tons of interest in the Dabbie from former sailors who now live all over the world – so please send me your pics, ancedotes and reports on your Dabbie sailing days – send to: editor@sailing.co.za
Dabchick Plans
Incidently I have a digitised set of the original plans as drawn by Gerhard Koper.
They were kindly digitised by architect Chris Clark who thoroughly enjoyed the project. I am very happy to email them to anyone who would like them – mail me at: editor@sailing.co.za
Tony Strutt has building plans, so contact him at: tony@ullmansailsrsa.com
Ferro Cement Yachts
The building of ferro yachts in the early ‘70s was almost something of epidemic proportions as they were to be seen in just about every suburb in every city of this country in various stages of completion.
The problem with ferro boats is that some were very well built while others were, well should we say, slapped together – and looked old and unseaworthy the day they were launched.
I can remember one boat in Durban that was so well finished that it looked as if it was a fibreglass boat. But she was the exception.
I recently received a copy of a paper written in the 1969 about the construction of Ferro boats, so hence the reference to them. It was produced by the Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan.
In skimming through it, I found the following interesting: Weight. Boats made of ferro-cement between 35 and 45ft have hull weights comparable to boats made of wood, steel or fibreglass. Ferro-cement boats greater than 45ft in length are usually lighter than boats made of wood, steel or fibreglass. The converse is also true.
I have over the years received requests for info on ferro yachts, so if anyone would like a copy of this document, please drop me an e-mail (editor@sailing.co.za) and I will gladly send it.
World Sailing Mid-Year Meeting
In a speech by President Carlo Croce to Council outlining three key areas for the federation going forward, Croce highlighted Better Governance, Olympic and Paralympic development and the Sailing World Cup as priorities moving forward.
The World Sailing Council, with CEO Andy Hunt, have also initiated a number of changes to the constitution and regulations of the Federation as a draft two-year roadmap was announced in a collective effort to drive the sport forward.
The roadmap is geared toward continued good governance based upon a consultation with member national associations and stakeholders and is born out of an Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) governance review.
As many International Federation’s (IF’s) continue to gather widespread media coverage, World Sailing aim to maintain and exceed the governance standards it holds over the coming years. Focussing on meeting ASOIF standards, a three stage process will be implemented, which you can read in more detail HERE
Bart’s Bash
World Sailing, the governing body of the sport, has joined forces with the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, offering official support and promotion to Bart’s Bash.
Launched in 2014, Bart’s Bash is the world’s largest sailing event that is run by sailing clubs, community sailing programmes, sail training centres, yacht clubs, scout groups, sea cadets and even groups of sailors, all around the world.
Since its inception, Bart’s Bash has inspired thousands of new and seasoned sailors to participate in sailing whilst raising funds to improve the lives of young people around the world.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation continues to encourage more people to get on the water and promote the benefits it brings people of all abilities. In 2016 Bart’s Bash will be raising awareness and funds to support grassroots disabled sailing globally.
The 2016 edition of Bart’s Bash is scheduled for 17-18 September, falling at the same time as the conclusion of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition.
Rio 2016 will welcome 80 sailors from 23 nations, racing across three disciplines. Sailing will not be on the Tokyo 2020 programme after the International Paralympic Committee made a decision to remove the sport. Since its removal, World Sailing has been working closely with its members and the IPC to ensure reintroduction for 2024.
The sailing journey for Paralympic athletes will continue after the final boat crosses the finish line in Rio and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation will act as a valuable partner.
World Sailing will encourage its Member National Authorities across the globe to promote Bart’s Bash to their members as participants, volunteers or supporters of the event.
World Sailing Chief Executive Officer, Andy Hunt, said, “World Sailing is working tirelessly to ensure sailing is returned into the Paralympic program of sports. Once the competition ends at Rio 2016, it is vital that World Sailing maintain the momentum for inclusion back into the Paralympic Games.
“The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and Bart’s Bash continues to inspire the world with their efforts and we are delighted that this year’s event will be raising funds for Para Sailing around the world.
“I, along with the rest of the World Sailing team, will be taking to the water this September as a show of support during the Paralympic Games.”
Sir Ben Ainslie, trustee of the ASSF and skipper of America’s Cup team, Land Rover BAR, added, “People know how close the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is to my heart, and it was fantastic to see so many people supporting the charity at the last Bart’s Bash. It’s really good to see World Sailing now getting behind the event, and let’s hope we can get even more people out on the water this year in memory of Bart.”
A Solo Record Attempt – This Must be a Record non-Record!
There are record attempts that work and others which simply come unstuck from the very beginning as French sailor Olivier Jehl now knows to his cost.
He was attempting to sail the treacherous route from New York to Lizard Point, England on his 6.5 Mini-class sailing vessel in just 15 days or less. He abandoned within hours of the start as it appears he hit something and sank!
US Coast Guard Accident Statistics for 2015
Every year, the U.S. Coast Guard compiles statistics on reported recreational boating accidents. These statistics are derived from accident reports that are filed by the owners/operators of recreational vessels involved in accidents. The fifty states, five U.S. territories and the District of Columbia submit accident report data to the Coast Guard for inclusion in the annual Boating Statistics publication.
Here are some interesting stats from 2015:
• Where instruction was known, 71% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Only 15% percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate.
• Where data was known, the most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (45%), personal watercraft (19%), and cabin motorboats (17%).
• Where data was known, the vessel types with the highest percentage of deaths were open motorboats (46%), kayaks (12%), and canoes (11%).
• The 11,867,049 recreational vessels registered by the states in 2015 represent a 0.5% increase from last year when 11,804,002 recreational vessels were registered.
Full report HERE
Harnessing the Oceans
Is energy from the oceans even feasible?
Hans Buitelaar writes as follows:
If saving the planet is not enough reward for harvesting the enormous energy potential of the oceans, high profits on renewable energy installations might be the incentive that makes investors open their wallets.
Following decades of technology development and efficiency improvements, today the cost of energy production from renewable sources could drop below the price of energy from oil, coal or gas if done on a large enough scale. Even conservative industry experts herald the end of fossil fuels and the dawn of an era of renewable energy. The only dispute now is the pace of the changeover.
Vast Potential
Offering strong currents, big temperature differences, ongoing wave motion on the surface and lots of open area over which winds can develop, the world’s oceans offer a variety of energy sources and the potential for extensive involvement by the maritime industry. Offshore installations of wind turbines, underwater turbines in tidal currents, offshore thermal energy platforms and surface installations harnessing the kinetic energy of waves all require large and specialized vessels.
Next come the converter stations and underwater cables for connection to onshore electricity grids. Following commissioning and initial operation, maintenance is needed, and that too requires vessels suitable for getting workers to and from offshore power plants safely. Big advances in vessel design and boat-to-platform facilities have already been made in the last decade. If indeed the number of offshore energy installations booms during the next ten years, additional shipbuilding and vessel innovations may be expected to efficiently facilitate the production of green offshore energy.
The full report can be seen HERE
Some Humour
My old mate Craig Dennis sent this contribution. It’s old (as he is), but still funny and a laugh at how mad the world has become to be ‘proper and correct’;
The Royal Navy is proud to announce its new fleet of Type 45 destroyers:
Having initially named the first two ships HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless, the Naming Committee has, after intensive pressure from the European Union in Brussels, renamed them HMS Cautious and HMS Prudence. The next five ships are to be HMS Empathy, HMS Circumspect, HMS Nervous, HMS Timorous and HMS Apologist.
Costing £850 million each, they comply with the very latest employment, equality, health & safety and human rights laws.
The Royal Navy fully expects any future enemy to be jolly decent and to comply with the same high standards of behaviour.
The new user-friendly crow’s nest has excellent wheelchair access.
Live ammunition has been replaced with paint-balls to reduce the risk of anyone getting hurt and to cut down on the number of compensation claims.
Stress counsellors and lawyers will be on board, as will a full sympathetic industrial tribunal .
The crew will be 50/50 men and women, and will contain the correct balance of race, gender, sexuality and disability.
Sailors will only work a maximum of 37 hours per week as per Brussels Rules on Working Hours, even in wartime.
All the vessels are equipped with a maternity ward, a crèche and a gay disco.
Tobacco will be banned throughout the ship, but recreational cannabis will be allowed in wardrooms and messes. The Royal Navy is eager to shed its traditional reputation for “Rum, sodomy and the lash” so out has gone the rum ration, replaced by sparkling water. Sodomy remains, but is now extended to include all ratings under 18. The lash will still be available on request.
Saluting of officers is now considered elitist and has been replaced by “Hello Sailor”.
All information on notice boards will be in 37 different languages and Braille. Crew members will now no longer have to ask permission to grow beards and/or moustaches. This applies equally to female crew.
The MoD is inviting suggestions for a “non-specific” flag because the White Ensign may offend minorities. The Union Jack must never be seen.
The newly re-named HMS Cautious will be commissioned shortly by Captain Hook from the Finsbury Park Mosque who will break a petrol bomb over the hull. She will gently slide into the sea as the Royal Marines Band plays the Village People’s “In the Navy”. Her first deployment will be to escort boatloads of illegal immigrants to ports on England ‘s south coast.
The Prime Minister said, “Our ships reflect the very latest in modern thinking and they will always be able to comply with any new legislation from Brussels.”His final words were, “Britannia waives the rules.”
Historical Dates of Interest in June
7 June 1978. Naomi James became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe as on this day she returned to England in her 53′ cutter ‘Express Crusader’.
16 June 1903. Roald Amundsen began an expedition to conquer the first ever east to west transit of the Northwest Passage aboard ‘Gjoa’.
20 June 1925. The US Coastguard, for the first time, used an aircraft to chase rum-runners!
28 June 1932. John Alden, a yacht designer of some note, became the first skipper to win the Bermuda Race three times.
How True! This Simply Needs to Be Said!
I’m only responsible for what I say, not for what you understand.
I Like This!
Be careful when you follow the masses. Sometimes the ‘m’ is silent.
Some Selected Responses to “Talking Sailing”
• The Jester Race contact person is Ewan Southby-Tailyour.
He was on a tour of duty as an officer in the British Army down in the Falklands, this was pre the last war there. To pass the time he mapped the entire group of islands, then had them published in a book titled ‘Falkland Islands Shores’ which was published in 1985.
After the Argentine forces invaded the Falklands, the British Forces heard of a man who had extensive knowledge of the islands. They got hold of Southby-Tailyour, who confirmed that he did have such data – but refused to give up his precious notebooks and charts unless he was assigned as ‘staff officer without portfolio’ to the invasion. He was resultantly made the navigation adviser to ‘the command’ as well as commander of the Task Force Landing Craft Squadron for which he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) as well as being recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).
He has published 14 books on amphibious-related subjects (including a novel) and is a commercial yacht skipper and amateur explorer.
A Lasting Gift – A Subscription to SAILING Magazine
Need a gift for a loved one, sailing friend or crew? A subscription to SAILING Magazine will last the whole year round as we produce 12 issues per year – and it costs just R250 per year.
Call 031-7096087 or e-mail: derri@sailing.co.za
Subscriptions are available as a printed magazine OR a digital e-zine. Your choice.
Sailor of the Month – Submit Your Nomination NOW
SAILING Magazine, in conjunction with MDM Marine Services, North Sails and Southern Spars, back the ‘Sailor of the Year’ Award.
Monthly winners are featured in SAILING Magazine, with the overall ‘Sailor of the Year’ receiving a substantial cash prize.
Sailors of the Month – 2016
February Phillippa Hutton-Squire
March Sibu Sizatu
April Mike Hayton
May Howard Leoto
Sailor of the Year 2015
Stefano Marcia
Who can make nominations? Anyone (individuals, clubs, class associations or administrators) may submit nominations.
What are the criteria? The award is strictly for ‘sailing excellence’ or in exceptional circumstances, for ‘dedication to the sport’.
What is the procedure? All nominations must be fully motivated in writing, and must be accompanied by a head-and-shoulders picture of the candidate, plus an action sailing pic aboard his/her boat (unedited hi-resolution (300dpi) digital images are required). Motivations must include current performances, a brief CV of the nominee, and other pertinent, personal background information (age, school, employment, home town etc) so that an interesting editorial on the winner may be written. Failure to submit the required material will result in the nomination not being considered.
Deadlines. Nominations must be received by the 1st of every month, although this may be extended at the Editor’s discretion, so it is recommended to submit them as soon as possible.
If you think there is a sailor worthy of nomination, simply send the nomination with a motivation and a photo of the person to – editor@sailing.co.za
