"In response to a 2011 fatal sailing accident in Annapolis, Md., members of US Sailing recently conducted three days of intensive on-water tests of dinghy safety methods and equipment.  Held in California and New York, the tests evaluated ways to recover people in the water and right dinghies from capsize and inversion. Sailor entrapment and the causes were also addressed.  

An illustrated report of these tests, written by John Rousmaniere, describes and evaluates each of the methods and equipment that were tested, and offers recommendations for policies, rules, and further testing. 

Click here for US Sailing’s Dinghy Capsize Report.  

I ask that all of you read this and become familiar with the report.  We need to be ever vigilant to ensure the safety of our students.  This report reinforces that a key in capsizes is to prevent or delay turtling of the boat.  Of particular success was the use of masthead flotation that prevented turtling see the picture on page 14 of the report.  For many years, MIT Sailing has had similar flotation sewn into the top of the Tech dinghy sails.  I am going to talk to Doyle and North to see how much it might cost to retrofit sails to incorporate this flotation."

 

I hope you find this information helpful for the continued safe and successful operations of your sailing programs.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Kate H

 

--
Kate Henderson
Director of Youth Programs

Courageous Sailing
One First Avenue
Charlestown Navy Yard
Boston, MA 02129

t: 617.242.3821 x12
f: 617.635.3263
w: www.courageoussailing.org