Independent auditing of boats’ safety equipment is indubitably best practice that lifts the game and improves safety culture in any fleet and club.

A recent Amendment to the Special Regulations introduced mandatory auditing of boats competing in Category 1, 2 and 3 races. The audit needs to be done by an Australian Sailing accredited Equipment Auditor. The same Amendment also makes a strong recommendation that auditing be done for Categories 4 to 7, also by an accredited Equipment Auditor.

The change in policy comes from learnings that when shifting from self-audits to audits done independently by an accredited person the fleet in the space of one season becomes more safety aware, and greater care is taken toward on board safety equipment and features. The change also indicates that clubs’ leaders are applied to safety; the cultural change happens ashore.

Australian Sailing has found that, almost invariably, when a fleet of self-audited and declaration based boats go through the independent audit process, many high risk problems are found and rectified. Possibly the most serious and problematic are lifejackets being in poor repair, but the problems often include communication equipment not working, lifeline systems being inadequate or anything with an expiry date being years past that date. One ‘interesting’ discovery was an anchor chain being so rusted that it was welded into a pile that couldn’t be separated. The chain was subsequently replaced, of course.

Clubs that are in any of Australia’s capital cities should adopt equipment auditing and make it a requirement of entry no matter the race category. The strength of this recommendation from Australian Sailing should not be under appreciated. There is a strong national network of Senior Equipment Auditors with the expertise and availability to run training for your club. We hope that clubs in Australia’s capitals will demonstrate their commitment and approach to safety and introduce auditing to Categories 4 to 7.

A ‘best practice’ sample of what clubs put in their Notice of Race is:
NOR: A boat shall have a current Australian Sailing Special Regulations Equipment Audit Form signed by an accredited Special Regulations Equipment Auditor. A boat may be inspected at any time by an accredited equipment auditor to demonstrate compliance with the SR.

A recent success story is the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron who have introduced auditing for all race categories. Another early adopter who needed no such regulation was the Royal Geelong Yacht Club who did this many years ago. Both clubs are applauded for their approach to safety.

Training of Equipment Auditors for clubs in regional areas can be done electronically. The pandemic has produced one thing; greater electronic competencies in people. Most of us have become well versed in attending video conferences. Our Club Services & Operations staff can help organise training seminars both in person and via video conference.

Clubs should be aware that Australian Sailing is looking to make the club level Equipment Auditor training permanently available via an online learning system. This will remove reliance on seminar delivery and enable clubs to train and accredit their Equipment Auditors anywhere, any time. Once this service is in place Australian Sailing will consider mandating Equipment Auditing for all race categories.

Information on Equipment Auditing can be found at https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/equipment-auditing/.
Searches for accredited Equipment Auditors can be performed at https://www.sailing.org.au/accreditation-finder/. 
The Special Regulations and Amendments can be read at https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/specialregs/.

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