{"id":5939,"date":"2013-05-23T07:00:37","date_gmt":"2013-05-23T12:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stephenlirakis.com\/?p=5939"},"modified":"2013-05-23T07:01:09","modified_gmt":"2013-05-23T12:01:09","slug":"safety-recommendations-americas-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stephenlirakis.com\/?p=5939","title":{"rendered":"NEW SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AMERICA’S CUP"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While there are few surprises in the recommendations, the obvious extra cost is evident. More important, what exactly do the recommendations say about the sport of sailing?<\/p>\n

1. AC72Yacht<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Regatta Director Recommendations<\/p>\n

Issued at 1600 May 22, 2013 (PDT) to AC34 Competitors, Golden Gate Yacht Club, & America\u2019s Cup Event Authority<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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  1. 1.1. \u00a0AC72YachtStructuralReview:CompetitorsinconsultationwithACRMto collectively identify and complete a process of competent third party review or testing process of the structural integrity of the platform and wing.<\/li>\n
  2. 1.2. \u00a0DaggerboardRakeControlHydraulicSystem: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.<\/li>\n
  3. 1.3. \u00a0RudderElevators:
    \na) minimum total area 0.32 m2 per rudder;b) minimum depth of elevators on rudder span of 2.1m;
    \nc) maximum elevator span of 1.4m;
    \nd) rudder elevators to be symmetrical in plan form and allowed to extend<\/p>\n

    beyond maximum beam of the Yacht; and
    \ne) elevators permitted to be adjusted until warning signal.<\/li>\n

  4. 1.4. \u00a0CrewRestraints:Competitorstoeffectivelyrestraincrewthroughbearing-off manoeuvres, severe deceleration, or capsize, such as installation of cockpits, foot-straps, handholds, tether and\/or belay points.<\/li>\n
  5. 1.5. \u00a0MaximumAC72YachtSailingWeight:Themaximumsailingweightspecified in AC72 Class Rule 5.10 shall be increased by 100kg.<\/li>\n
  6. 1.6. \u00a0SoftSails:Competitorslimitedtocarryingtwosoftsailsandeliminatingthe minimum weight in 26(c) of the AC72 Class Rule.<\/li>\n
  7. 1.7. \u00a0GuestRacers:NoguestracersaboardanAC72yachtwhilstracing.<\/li>\n
  8. 1.8. \u00a0ACRMPersonnel:AC72ClassRule25.1(b)tobemodifiedtoremovereferenceto\u201cACRM personnel\u201d \u2013 this was originally intended to be a camera person and it\n

    has since been agreed to remove such a person from the boat.<\/li>\n

  9. 1.9. \u00a0SoftCoveringsandSoftFairings:Softcoveringsandsoftfairingsshallbemade of predominantly see-through\/transparent material.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    2. PersonalEquipment<\/p>\n

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    1. 2.1. \u00a0BuoyancyAids:Wornbuoyancyaidswornbycrewtohaveaquickrelease mechanism.<\/li>\n
    2. 2.2. \u00a0BodyArmour:Armourincorporatingprotectionforspine,punctureandimpact wounds is to be investigated by Competitors and managed by ACRM.<\/li>\n
    3. 2.3. \u00a0ElectronicHeadCountSystem:AnelectronicHeadCountSystemtobe investigated by Competitors and managed by ACRM.<\/li>\n
    4. 2.4. \u00a0CrewLocatorDevices:Underwatercrewlocatordevicestobeinvestigatedby Competitors and managed by ACRM.<\/li>\n
    5. 2.5. \u00a0BreathingApparatus:Underwaterbreathingapparatustobecarriedand capable of hands free operation, the volume of air to be carried to be<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      investigated by Competitors and managed by ACRM.<\/p>\n

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      1. 2.6. \u00a0Helmets:Helmetstandards(highvisibilitycoloursandspecifications)reviewbyCompetitors managed by ACRM, with the assistance of recognised expert\n

        advisors.<\/li>\n

      2. 2.7. \u00a0Self-loweringEquipment:Equipmentcapableofself-loweringtobecarriedbyeach crewmember.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        3. AdditionalSupportEquipment<\/p>\n

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        1. 3.1. \u00a0SupportBoatLimits:Removepresentlimitoffoursupportboatsper Competitor (art. 35).<\/li>\n
        2. 3.2. \u00a0TwoRescueBoats:MinimumoftworescueboatstosupporteachAC72yacht whilst sailing.<\/li>\n
        3. 3.3. \u00a0RescueDivers&RescueSwimmers:Twodiverswithsupportingrescue swimmers ready to enter the water immediately, one diver and one rescue swimmer on each rescue boat.<\/li>\n
        4. 3.4. \u00a0Paramedic:Aminimumofoneparamedic(oranappropriatemedical practitioner) on one of the rescue boats.<\/li>\n
        5. 3.5. \u00a0Defibrillator:AnAEDdevice(defibrillator)tobecarriedontherescueboat carrying the paramedic (or an appropriate medical practitioner) who shall be trained in its use.<\/li>\n
        6. 3.6. \u00a0RecoveryNets:Rescuenetstobeinstalledonallsupportingandrescue boats to recover crew.<\/li>\n
        7. 3.7. \u00a0SafetyChannelforCompetitors:Adedicatedsafetychannelforinter-team safety communications.<\/li>\n
        8. 3.8. \u00a0OneWayCommunications:One-waycommunicationspermittedfromAC72 yacht to chase boat during all sailing and racing operations.<\/li>\n
        9. 3.9. \u00a0Regardless:ACRM\u2019svesselRegardlesstobenotified,andbeplacedonstand by for recovery operations upon each sailing of an AC72 yacht.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          4. RaceManagement<\/p>\n

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          1. 4.1. \u00a0Round Robins: Number of Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robins reduced from seven (7) to five (5) to allow for more maintenance periods.<\/li>\n
          2. 4.2. \u00a0Soft Marks: Soft marks to replace mark-boats.<\/li>\n
          3. 4.3. \u00a0Starting Procedures: Racing Rules to be reviewed by skippers andCompetitor rules advisers with ACRM to remove potentially dangerous\n

            situations including agreeing an alternative starting procedure.<\/li>\n

          4. 4.4. \u00a0Wind 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.<\/li>\n
          5. 4.5. \u00a0First Mark: First mark to boundary to be approximately 45 seconds.<\/li>\n
          6. 4.6. \u00a0Buffer Zones: Safe buffer zones around course boundaries and obstructionsto be determined by ACRM.<\/li>\n
          7. 4.7. \u00a0Start Time: Flexible start time and flexible pre\/post race programme based on<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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            wind and projected tidal flows.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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            1. 4.8. \u00a0Post 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.<\/li>\n
            2. 4.9. \u00a0No-Race Fine: Remove fines for not competing (art 21.2 (d)).<\/li>\n
            3. 4.10. \u00a0Race Course Debris: Process to inspect and endeavour to clear course ofdebris and obstructions with assistance from Army Corps of Engineers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              4.11. Capsize While Racing: Upon a yacht capsizing it shall be disqualified and the<\/p>\n

              race awarded to the other yacht, to allow efforts to be concentrated on capsized<\/p>\n

              yacht.
              \n4.12. Develop Standard Operating Procedures Between Competitors for<\/p>\n

              Rescue: ACRM shall develop common safety procedures between competitor\u2019s rescue boats, medical personnel, and divers.<\/p>\n

              5. FutureSailing:EachCompetitormusttakefullandsoleresponsibilityfortheirown sailing arrangements.<\/p>\n

              6. ExistingACRMAC72SafetyRecommendations(revisedMay22,2013)<\/p>\n

              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.<\/p>\n

              Important additional notes to be read in conjunction with the recommendations<\/p>\n

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              1. (i) \u00a0These 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.<\/li>\n
              2. (ii) \u00a0The majority of the Regatta Director recommendations represent a consensus of the Competitors.<\/li>\n
              3. (iii) \u00a0These 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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                1. (v) \u00a0Each Competitor is responsible for the method of implementing the recommendations.<\/li>\n
                2. (vi) \u00a0No recommendations can cover all possible risks or address risks that are specific to Competitor specific designs.<\/li>\n
                3. (vii) \u00a0No 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.<\/li>\n
                4. (viii) \u00a0Each 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Iain Murray<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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                  Regatta Director<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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                  AC72 Safety Recommendations<\/p>\n

                  (Issued November 21, 2012 & Revised May 22, 2013)<\/p>\n

                  Safety Recommendations that should be implemented immediately<\/p>\n

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                  1. Personal Equipment\n