Sea and Safety Survival Course
A sign of increasing sailing ventures from Weymouth clubs, the ISAF Offshore Safety & Sea Survival Course ended up being oversubscribed. Held at Osprey Leisure Centre last weekend, this was the first time the 2-day course had been held in Weymouth. 16 members from both WSC & CCSC attended with others awaiting spaces. Another course may be held if there is enough interest (email skateboardkay@hotmail.co.uk).
This brilliant 2 day course was developed following the report into the 1998 Sydney Hobart Race, where tragically 6 lives were lost. The aim is to provide the essential practical skills and theoretical knowledge to react effectively when facing rough weather, emergency problems and abandonment at sea. The first day concentrated on ISAF Offshore Safety.
The instructor, Mary Reddyhof, regaled us with stories of her personal experiences in the '79 Fastnet and showed photos & videos of the Sydney - Hobart race disaster.
Day 2, lead by Tony Wafer, was the sea survival part of the course with a theoretical session in the morning and a practical session in liferafts in the pool in the afternoon. The day ended with everyone trying their hand at setting off flares. It was interesting to note that the Coastguard received 12 phone calls reporting sightings. Topics covered were - care and maintenance of safety equipment, Liferafts types and emergency packs, Storm sails, Damage control and repair, Heavy weather – crew routines, boat handling, drogues, Man overboard prevention and recovery, Giving assistance to other craft, Hypothermia, SAR organisation and methods, Weather, Fire precautions, with practical hands on experience in Lifejackets, Liferafts, operation and drills, Communications, Pyrotechnics, EPIRBsA great experience focussing on aspects of sailing that, hopefully, we will never have to use in anger !!
Kay Stibbs
