Safety first! After the two recent deadly boating accidents in offshore races along the California coast, the Coast Guard has determined they need to further examine race courses and safety measures before allowing further racing. While we’re not exactly sure that this measure is necessary, all sailors know that safety has to be of the utmost importance.
The Coast Guard is working with offshore racing organizers to amend their courses for the next offshore sailing races pending a review of safety plans and procedures in the San Francisco Bay area. The Coast Guard is working closely with race organizers of upcoming events to implement alternative courses for the impacted races. All other races that stay within the demarcation line that runs from Point Bonita to Land’s End are not impacted. Recent offshore accidents have highlighted the need to assess offshore race organizers’ safety plans and procedures. Races inside the bay are still being permitted per the current procedures.
The Coast Guard is calling on all offshore race organizers and participants to conduct their own safety stand-downs during this period. US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport of sailing, is conducting an independent review of Bay Area offshore racing safety procedures to provide an independent assessment of existing plans and procedures.
“The San Francisco Bay Area sailing community is one of the most vibrant, experienced, and capable sailing communities in the world,” said Capt. Cynthia Stowe, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port of San Francisco. “This temporary safety stand-down from offshore racing will allow the Coast Guard and the offshore racing community to further our common safety goals.”
Courtesy of www.coastguardnews.com.
