Sailing is a most enjoyable and challenging pastime, but it does have some inherent risks that need to be managed effectively in order to maximise the benefits for all participants. Of course, we all wish for our sailing activities to be as safe as reasonably possible but that can only happen if all levels of the sport work together to create an environment where safety plays an integral part of everything we do.

It all starts at the top with Australian Sailing which, through the National Safety Committee, has established a framework of policies, procedures and regulations that guide clubs and members in helping to ensure that our sailing activities are conducted with a keen focus on safety. Some of the areas covered by this framework include:
•    Assisting clubs to assess their individual risk environment by providing risk management tools, templates and examples of best practice.
•    Reviewing key incidents so that lessons can be learned and used to improve the existing practices.
•    Establishing the Special Regulations that set out the equipment and training requirements of boats and their crews for the various levels of racing.
•    Setting up a National Equipment Auditor Scheme to oversee the implementation of the Special Regulations. 
•    Publishing newsletters and Safety Information Notices discussing key aspects of sailing safety.
•    Providing training courses in race management and the Safety and Sea Survival Course.

While Australian Sailing can promote safety as a core value of the sport, it is really up to individual clubs to take that lead and ensure that safety pervades everything at the local level. Putting into practice competent race management procedures, ensuring boats are appropriately equipped and maintained and that crews have access to training materials and courses to enable them to develop their skills and enjoy safer sailing. Only by clubs regularly reinforcing the importance of safer sailing can safety become an integral part of a club culture.

Finally, boat owners and their crews form the final but equally important component to help ensure a safer sailing environment. Is the boat and its equipment both appropriate for the race category and in good working order? Are the crew well-trained in the key sailing manoeuvres so that they can carry them both efficiently and safely, particularly in more challenging weather conditions? Are the life jackets adequate and regularly serviced? An emergency is not the time to find out that any piece of safety equipment is not fit for purpose!

If we all approach our sailing with a keen eye on safety, then we can continue to enjoy the strong safety record that we have enjoyed for sailing in Australia.

By Ray Shaw, Chair of the Australian Sailing National Safety Committee.

Our Safety Hub can be found here where you’ll find the information Ray was referring to in his article.