Tag: safety recommendations for AC

Regatta Director Recommendations

Issued at 1600 May 22, 2013 (PDT) to AC34 Competitors, Golden Gate Yacht Club, & America’s Cup Event Authority

1. 1.1.  AC72YachtStructuralReview:CompetitorsinconsultationwithACRMto collectively identify and complete a process of competent third party review or testing process of the structural integrity of the platform and wing.
2. 1.2.  DaggerboardRakeControlHydraulicSystem:Competitorsinconsultation with ACRM shall identify and complete a process of competent third party review and testing process of their daggerboard rake control hydraulic systems to ensure an acceptable safety margin and level of reliability.
3. 1.3.  RudderElevators:
   a) minimum total area 0.32 m2 per rudder;b) minimum depth of elevators on rudder span of 2.1m;
   c) maximum elevator span of 1.4m;
   d) rudder elevators to be symmetrical in plan form and allowed to extend

   beyond maximum beam of the Yacht; and
   e) elevators permitted to be adjusted until warning signal.

4. 1.4.  CrewRestraints:Competitorstoeffectivelyrestraincrewthroughbearing-off manoeuvres, severe deceleration, or capsize, such as installation of cockpits, foot-straps, handholds, tether and/or belay points.
5. 1.5.  MaximumAC72YachtSailingWeight:Themaximumsailingweightspecified in AC72 Class Rule 5.10 shall be increased by 100kg.
6. 1.6.  SoftSails:Competitorslimitedtocarryingtwosoftsailsandeliminatingthe minimum weight in 26(c) of the AC72 Class Rule.
7. 1.7.  GuestRacers:NoguestracersaboardanAC72yachtwhilstracing.
8. 1.8.  ACRMPersonnel:AC72ClassRule25.1(b)tobemodifiedtoremovereferenceto“ACRM personnel” – this was originally intended to be a camera person and it

   has since been agreed to remove such a person from the boat.

9. 1.9.  SoftCoveringsandSoftFairings:Softcoveringsandsoftfairingsshallbemade of predominantly see-through/transparent material.

2. PersonalEquipment

1. 2.1.  BuoyancyAids:Wornbuoyancyaidswornbycrewtohaveaquickrelease mechanism.
2. 2.2.  BodyArmour:Armourincorporatingprotectionforspine,punctureandimpact wounds is to be investigated by Competitors and managed by ACRM.
3. 2.3.  ElectronicHeadCountSystem:AnelectronicHeadCountSystemtobe investigated by Competitors and managed by ACRM.
4. 2.4.  CrewLocatorDevices:Underwatercrewlocatordevicestobeinvestigatedby Competitors and managed by ACRM.
5. 2.5.  BreathingApparatus:Underwaterbreathingapparatustobecarriedand capable of hands free operation, the volume of air to be carried to be

investigated by Competitors and managed by ACRM.

6. 2.6.  Helmets:Helmetstandards(highvisibilitycoloursandspecifications)reviewbyCompetitors managed by ACRM, with the assistance of recognised expert

   advisors.

7. 2.7.  Self-loweringEquipment:Equipmentcapableofself-loweringtobecarriedbyeach crewmember.

3. AdditionalSupportEquipment

1. 3.1.  SupportBoatLimits:Removepresentlimitoffoursupportboatsper Competitor (art. 35).
2. 3.2.  TwoRescueBoats:MinimumoftworescueboatstosupporteachAC72yacht whilst sailing.
3. 3.3.  RescueDivers&RescueSwimmers:Twodiverswithsupportingrescue swimmers ready to enter the water immediately, one diver and one rescue swimmer on each rescue boat.
4. 3.4.  Paramedic:Aminimumofoneparamedic(oranappropriatemedical practitioner) on one of the rescue boats.
5. 3.5.  Defibrillator:AnAEDdevice(defibrillator)tobecarriedontherescueboat carrying the paramedic (or an appropriate medical practitioner) who shall be trained in its use.
6. 3.6.  RecoveryNets:Rescuenetstobeinstalledonallsupportingandrescue boats to recover crew.
7. 3.7.  SafetyChannelforCompetitors:Adedicatedsafetychannelforinter-team safety communications.
8. 3.8.  OneWayCommunications:One-waycommunicationspermittedfromAC72 yacht to chase boat during all sailing and racing operations.
9. 3.9.  Regardless:ACRM’svesselRegardlesstobenotified,andbeplacedonstand by for recovery operations upon each sailing of an AC72 yacht.

4. RaceManagement

1. 4.1.  Round Robins: Number of Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robins reduced from seven (7) to five (5) to allow for more maintenance periods.
2. 4.2.  Soft Marks: Soft marks to replace mark-boats.
3. 4.3.  Starting Procedures: Racing Rules to be reviewed by skippers andCompetitor rules advisers with ACRM to remove potentially dangerous

   situations including agreeing an alternative starting procedure.

4. 4.4.  Wind Limits: Reduced to 20kts in July, 21kts in August, and 23kts in September (as measured pursuant to art. 21.1), but with additional wind limit adjustments fortide and sea state.
5. 4.5.  First Mark: First mark to boundary to be approximately 45 seconds.
6. 4.6.  Buffer Zones: Safe buffer zones around course boundaries and obstructionsto be determined by ACRM.
7. 4.7.  Start Time: Flexible start time and flexible pre/post race programme based on

wind and projected tidal flows.

8. 4.8.  Post Race Dock – In: Eliminate the planned dock-in after racing at Pier 27, but skippers to be transferred to a dock-in show at Pier 27 approximately 45 minutes after a race.
9. 4.9.  No-Race Fine: Remove fines for not competing (art 21.2 (d)).
10. 4.10.  Race Course Debris: Process to inspect and endeavour to clear course ofdebris and obstructions with assistance from Army Corps of Engineers.

4.11. Capsize While Racing: Upon a yacht capsizing it shall be disqualified and the

race awarded to the other yacht, to allow efforts to be concentrated on capsized

yacht.
4.12. Develop Standard Operating Procedures Between Competitors for

Rescue: ACRM shall develop common safety procedures between competitor’s rescue boats, medical personnel, and divers.

5. FutureSailing:EachCompetitormusttakefullandsoleresponsibilityfortheirown sailing arrangements.

6. ExistingACRMAC72SafetyRecommendations(revisedMay22,2013)

Except to the extent that some of the recommendations may have been altered by the above, the AC72 Safety Recommendations notified to competitors on November 21, 2012 as revised on May 22, 2013 (copy below) form part of these Regatta Director recommendations.

Important additional notes to be read in conjunction with the recommendations

1. (i)  These recommendations are made by the Regatta Director after the Review Committee interviewed team personnel from all Competitors, and will be refined as the further work identified above is completed.
2. (ii)  The majority of the Regatta Director recommendations represent a consensus of the Competitors.
3. (iii)  These recommendations do not alter the responsibilities assumed and allocated by the provisions of the Protocol or any other rules or document referred to in the Protocol.

5. (v)  Each Competitor is responsible for the method of implementing the recommendations.
6. (vi)  No recommendations can cover all possible risks or address risks that are specific to Competitor specific designs.
7. (vii)  No recommendations can ever eliminate risk of injury or death in what is an inherently risky activity, and the participants must assume full responsibility for all risks involved.
8. (viii)  Each Competitor and crew member remain responsible for their own safety at all times. Each Competitor and crew member must continue to make their own decision to race, or to continue racing.

Iain Murray

Regatta Director

AC72 Safety Recommendations

(Issued November 21, 2012 & Revised May 22, 2013)

Safety Recommendations that should be implemented immediately

1. Personal Equipment
   • ACRM recommends that each crew member wear:a) Personal flotation meeting the requirements of RRSAC 40(a) worn as the outermost garment. Note that crewmember names would need to appear on the flotation device

     b) A helmet meeting the requirements of RRSAC 40(b) c) At least one knife that is accessible by either hand d) A personal air supply of at least 45 liters
     e) A harness with a tether or belay device

   • ACRM recommends that there be a separate maximum weight allowance for personal safety equipment.
2. Training

• ACRM recommends the following training:

a) Personal air supply training
b) Training which mimics escaping from under the net when the platform is

capsized
c) At least two crew members on board shall have completed First Aid

Training with specific course content focused on treating injuries more likely to occur on board the AC72’s and how to deal with them while out on the water

3. AC72 Equipment
• ACRM recommends the following equipment on the platform:

1. a)  Righting lines permanently attached to each corner of the platform with all righting lines accessible when the platform is at any orientation
2. b)  Knives in the four corners of the trampoline accessible when the platform is upright or capsized
3. c)  Four spare personal air supplies of at least 80 Liters each on the trampoline

4. Rescue Boats and Equipment

• A rescue boat with at least 3500 kg towing capability
• ACRM recommends that the team rescue boat carry the equipment listed inAttachment A as a minimum.

  Safety Recommendations that need to be considered

1. Establishing common emergency drop off zones with the local authorities.
2. Establishing common safe recovery areas for capsized yachts.
3. 1K liters of flotation in the top of the wing to keep it afloat until a team rib can access it.
   • The preference seems to be inflatable air bags
   • ACRM believes it is best to allow the teams to determine how they prefer toimplement this.
   • A separate minimum weight allowance would be added for this equipment.

Attachment A
Team Rescue Boat Minimum Equipment List

Medical Equipment

• Medical backpack
• Comprehensive First Aid Kit
• Spine Board x 1
• 2 x Yellow foam waist rings with tethers • 1 x bag of various pump/air splints
• 1 x small Trauma Kit

Cordage

• 2 x 130 tow rope, 25mm diameter nylon/polyprop, breaking strength of 5 ton. • 1 x 100 meter anchor line, Anchor.12mm polyprop
• 100m of 16mm spare line

Dive Equipment

• 1 x complete dive kit
o BCD with integrated weights
o Fins
o Mask
o 1 x regulator, gauge, low pressure hose

• 1 x drysuit/wetsuit
• 1 x Pony bottle with back harness and single regulator • 2 x 10 liter dive tanks

Salvage Equipment

• Airbags
• 4 x 500 kilo lift
• Trash pump with a flow rate of 1200 L/min or greater
• 1 x cable cutter with long handles capable of cutting rigging away from the platform • Powered abrasive cutter