Racing and capsizing

[mckenna789]

So today we had some great racing. Some struggled but what is the role of the rescue? If people feel endangered, rescue them - the boat is secondary.

It is all insured and we can pick the boat up later. If people are not aware of how to right a boat, we need to educate or remind (I forgot earlier this year but I forget a lot). I see no problem with capsizing, righting and carrying on... where's the worry. Rescue the people not the boat. Opinions welcome.

[ChrisR]

I agree entirely, the boat is secondary, the man in the water is primary.

My suggestion would be, if in difficulty attach the anchor that is in the safety boat to the upturned boat, get the helm in to the safety boat and ashore, then go back for the boat later.

That way the boat will be hopefully be in the same place for collection.

[mckenna789]

Good idea Chris about the anchor.

Some useful links from the Sprint 15 website:

How to right an inverted Sprint 15
http://www.sprint15.com/faq/capsize.php

Fixing leaky masts
http://www.sprint15.com/faq/Leaky%20Masts.pdf

Sailing in a Blow
http://www.sprint15.com/faq/strong.php

[ChrisR]

I would just like to make it clear Sean and I are not in any way criticising the safety boat crew, these were just observations, Tony did the correct thing by leaving Chris sunbathing on his boat to go to the aid of someone in the water.

The safety boat guys do a great job, without them who would there be to untangle me from lobster pots.

Just one small point, if attaching an anchor to a catamaran try to attach it around the beam not the shroud, it wouldn't take long to pull the chain plates out of the hull.

[mckenna789]

Thank you Chris, only complimentary comments. Sean