The Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific’s approach to safety complements clubs’ practices.

Why is this important when the Sailing Champions League is a short course, stadium format, club versus club competition? This format of the SCL might be different to most club racing, but what really marks it different is that the SCL is commercially registered in Hamburg and run under license in Asia Pacific. In layman’s terms, a privately owned event run at a club.

SCL Asia Pacific essentially uses the facilities of a host club, and supplies RS21 boats for the competition. The event lives out of a box, quite literally. The boats and related safety equipment arrive in shipping containers. The boats themselves are compliant with category 7 of Australian Sailing’s Special Regulations. Each are fitted with an electric outboard motor and have GPS tracking. All sails can be easily dropped or furled. In some major events boats are fitted with UHF radios.

The need to track competitors is a lesser need given racing takes place in a 300m x 300m area; every boat is in clear sight. Probably within earshot of any race committee boat. This tight ‘stadium’ format does provide a close oversight of safety. Regardless of that, all race management and umpire boats carry VHF radios and the event’s private UHF system. The communications network is overseen by the SCL Asia Pacific’s event director who is ashore.

Typical safety incidents that race committees have to deal with might include injury to a person, or extreme weather. One particularly interesting case that the SCL Asia Pacific had to deal with was when a competitor, who happened to be Coeliac, was sailing close to a wheat and flour facility and demonstrated allergy symptoms. The event was paused until an investigation was completed; however, this is not something offshore events would typically have to deal with. Umpires and Race Officials are first aid trained and there is at least one official with advanced First Aid certification.

All competitors are required to declare any medical conditions or allergies which may need our attention. Competitors are also required to provide their own lifejacket. SCL Asia Pacific provide a detailed briefing prior to the event and at the start of each day including safety and weather information. All of these requirements and briefings are common to events, especially those where boats are supplied.

Because of the nature of what the SCL Asia Pacific is, during preparation for the event their Safety Management Plan, Event Operations Plan and Disaster Management Plan are all discussed with the host club’s management. Almost invariably SCL Asia Pacific’s approach to safety is complementary to the club’s own. 

For information on the Sailing Champions League Asia Pacific go to https://sailing-championsleague.asia/
Resources on safety and risk management for clubs can be sourced at
https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/risk-management/

By Glen Stanaway https://www.sailing.org.au/about/ourstaff/