There is a strong network of committees in place to look after safety including overarching policy, the specific nature of auditing, and supporting clubs.

The National Safety Committee (NSC) chaired by Jenni Maclean, who is an Australian Sailing director, has been in its current structure since 2009. The NSC is appointed by the Australian Sailing Board and its members selected on merit and skills. This NSC has oversight of strategy and policy rather than operational matters. Functions delegated to the NSC include overarching safety culture and resources, the development of the Special Regulations and approvals to vary them, official interpretations, and basic policy positions. The decisions for changes to the Special Regulations are made as recommendations from the NSC to the Australian Sailing Board who have final approval.

Australian Sailing in taking steps to lead the re-establishment of Safety Sub-Committees (SSC) on a state by state basis. The membership of an SSC is approved by the NSC with four appointments already made. We are delighted to welcome Helen Warneke in QLD and Wayne Grant in SA into the safety space. Tim Cox in NSW and Ray Shaw in VIC resume their role in their respective states. Further memberships of each SSC are being considered and we hope will be announced shortly.

The immediate priorities for the SSC are to 
1.    To help clubs improve safety attitudes and practices
2.    To conduct a one-day safety conference
3.    To actively support strategies to engage with accredited Equipment Auditors

The NSC committee member with the role of liaison to each SSC is John Biffin.

The third committee in play is the National Equipment Auditor Sub-Committee (NEAC). This committee is chaired by John Easton from the NSC. The NEAC is, as the name suggests, responsible for overseeing the activities of accredited Equipment Auditors nationally. The NEAC has one formal appointee from each capital city but adopts an inclusive philosophy of bringing other key NEAs in on teleconferences and discussions.

Recent issues being considered at the NEAC include education resources for Equipment Auditors, fire extinguishers, storm boards, accessing ‘schedule 8’ drugs in NSW, and the interplay between lifelines and harnesses on multihulls. A big issue subject to conversation in the NEAC is whether auditing should be mandatory at all clubs, and whether off the beach should be treated as an auditing priority.

For more information on the National Safety Committee and its sub-committees please go to https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/safety-committees/.

For information on the NEAC membership go to https://www.sailingresources.org.au/officials-volunteers/equipment-auditors/.