SAILING: IN THE same week that the RNLI announced a significant increase in lifeboat rescues for 2009, with the most call-outs attributable to the leisure users, the Irish Sailing Association is to re-introduce its Safety Notices system in the hope that incidents can be averted in the coming season.
A new training course, aimed at any boat-user relying on a motor, will also be offered in the autumn.
Although some of the lifeboat call-outs are for straight-forward break-downs, many of these are avoidable if routine preventative maintenance is carried out. However, this is often over-looked as the recreational boating sector expanded in recent years.
“It has become clear that more people are using the sea and inland waters for recreation and demand for the lifeboats continues to be high,” said RNLI Deputy Divisional Inspector Gareth Morrison.
But the safety concerns extend beyond newcomers and those in powerboats according to the ISA. The safety warnings that will soon appear apply equally to more established areas such as the racing fleets around the coast, many of which have incidents varying in nature from minor to serious.
The new notices will centre on PFD (Personal Flotation Devices) use and MOB (Man-over-board) procedures in addition to advice on routine maintenance and inspection. “The existing formal training courses include many of these but don’t cover engines,” said Tony Wright, ISA training manager.
“The ISA Safety Notices used to be reactive, issued in the aftermath of an event,” Wright told The Irish Times. “We need to be more proactive as we’re trying to raise our game on the safety issue.”
Ireland has some catching-up to do compared to some European countries such as France according to Brian Mathews of Allspec Marine Surveys. “In France, each person racing has to have a medical certificate for the standard of event competition while the local harbour-master conducts inspections of boats’ safety equipment.
Mathews highlights a number of key precautions, aside from proper servicing of the (auxiliary) engine by a professional mechanic. Distress flares should be in date, PFD and life-rafts should be professionally serviced. Bilge pumps should be inspected and sea-cocks fitted with wooden plugs nearby.
Rigging should be checked for wear and tear with replacements especially if over 12 years old or eight years in the case of rod rigging.
Additionally, the RNLI offers its free SeaCheck programme that advises boat-owners and skippers how best to avoid problems.
But even with all the checks and servicing, incidents can and do occur and are certain to be worse if the crew are ill-prepared.
Meanwhile, following recent reports on developments in Irish short-handed sailing, a new website for the group has been launched featuring news and a discussion forum on this developing area of the sport at: www.doubleandsolo.com
