Safety At Sea

Cruising Club members have worked hard to advance safety equipment and techniques over the years. They have been instrumental in the development of the very popular Safety At Sea seminars sanctioned and run by US Sailing, as well as the newer Suddenly Alone seminars, the Helicopter Rescue Video, and countless other projects.

Investigations of Significant Incidents
Gary Jobson, President of US Sailing, appointed several committees to investigate and report on three serious sailing incidents which occurred in 2011. These detailed reports, largely investicated and prepared by CCA members, have a trove of helpful safety information.
Chicago-Mackinac, Annapolis, Rambler

Sailing Foundation Lifesling Demonstration Video
The Lifesling is the best device for rescue of a crew overboard, but to be effective, crew need training in its use. The Sailing Foundation, with help from Bonnell Cove Foundation and West Marine, has prepared this video - a must see for anyone with a Lifesling.

Lifesling® Owner’s Preparation Guide
This guide, developed for the Bonnell Cove Foundation’s “Suddenly Alone” seminar, offers important guidelines for properly preparing your Lifesling®. The guide is in PFD format and is 5 pages long. (Download Adobe Acrobat here.)

Suddenly Alone Course - "DIY"
The popular SUDDENLY ALONE program originally developed by the CCA and Bonnell Cove Foundation has been repackaged as a small scale DIY (do it yourself) presentation for sailing clubs and organizations.  Available on CD’s for local speakers’ use.

Helicopter Rescue Video Now Available on YouTube
The USCG Helicopter Rescue Video, which is a key component of US Sailing's Safey At Sea curriculum, was supported by the Cruising Club of American and funded by Bonnell Cove Foundation. For copies of the video on CD for presentation to yacht clubs or other groups, please contact Ron Trossbach. View Part One and Part Two

Securite, Securite: EPIRB registration error leads to loss of life
An improperly registered EPIRB caused a fatal delay in the rescue of a fishing boat crew. See the attached memo from Garry & Leslie Schneider, and the July issue of Soundings, p. 18, for details. Check your EPIRB registration!

What Inflatable PFD Should I Buy?
This response was prepared for US SAILING by Ron Trossbach to answer the question 'What inflatable should I buy?'  It also serves as a reminder to review our personal life jacket situation as we go out on the water this spring.

New USCG Helicopter Rescue Pamphlet Posted
Along with the USCG helicopter rescue video that is available, we have posted a new USCG Helicopter rescue pamphlet that all crews venturing offshore should be familiar with. It should be aboard all offshore yachts.

DSC Distress Communications Form
The use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in VHF and SSB radios is relatively new and not widely understood.  This paper will give the reader a broad view of what DSC is and how it applies to recreational boats. Web site links and references are included for more detailed explanations. A simple form to guide you incase of emergency is included.  

CCA Member Stan Honey recounts the 2006 Volvo Ocean Race. (PDF)
Stan Honey's compelling account of the 2006 Volvo Ocean Race, which he sailed as navigator aboard the winning yacht ABN AMRO One, is a significant contribution to yachting safety literature and makes a strong case for redesigning safety harnesses so that they are comfortable and will be worn more often. It gives an account of the experience on ABN AMRO TWO, describing in detail the challenge, even for the ultimately prepared yacht, in successfully retrieving a crewmember overboard in heavy weather at night. This riveting story should be required reading for anyone preparing to go offshore, and should be in the syllabus of every safety seminar. (Reprint from Cruising Club News, January 2007.) Also read Fleet Surgeon Garry Fishcer's message about the lessons offered by Honey about safety harnesses and staying on board your boat.

US Sailing Safety At Sea Seminars
For detailed information on US Sailing sanctioned Safey at Sea Seminars, or to find one in your area, visit the US Sailing web site.

Overboard Recovery Symposium
A Crew Overboard (COB) Recovery Symposium was held on San Francisco Bay in August 2005. The event was partially funded by the CCA's Bonnell Cove Foundation. This link contains the final report, photo galleries, and articles. Of particular interest to powerboaters is an article written for Boat U.S. Foundation.

Bonnell Cove Foundation
Organized by The Cruising Club of America in 1989, the Bonnell Cove Foundation has played a vital role in supporting research and educational activities for safety at sea and environmental protection.