Regatta Operations: Protest Committee Organization

The US Sailing Judges Manual is updated every four years in conjunction with each revision of the Racing Rules of Sailing. This information is a part of Regatta Operations and organizing a Protest Committee. Each Protest Committee (PC) must have a chair to act as presiding officer and spokesperson. When it is necessary for the…Read More

Regatta Operations: A Jury Secretary

The operation of the Protest Committee (PC) at a large or busy regatta can be significantly enhanced with the aid of a competent jury secretary. A good jury secretary is usually an experienced judge or someone with PC experience. Before coming to the event, the jury chair should review the procedures that are regularly used by a jury…Read More

Preparing Your Safety Boat

Safety Boat Procedures For Sailing Regattas by Rick Bischoff Whether is it a man, woman or child who is in danger on the water during a regatta, it is the duty of the Race Committee to be ready to help. It is very important to establish procedures involving safety and rescue of persons participating in…Read More

Annapolis Accident Review

By: John Rousmaniere A chain of small events quickly evolved into something very rare in sailing – a tragedy. The wind and waves were not excessive, the sailors were competent, and the boat was a standard model of a long-popular class. Yet a routine capsize rapidly developed into the drowning death of a much beloved…Read More

Start Windsurfing Right: The Windsurfing Safety Code

Being safety conscious at all times, both on and off the water, is an attitude you will develop with your instructor's help. It will pay off many times over in safe, fun, relaxing sailing. Safety encompasses many things: dressing properly, wearing a life jacket, being courteous toward other boaters, being observant, sailing by the "rules…Read More

The Powerboat Certification Series: Towing Concepts

These towing concepts are from US Sailing's Safety, Rescue & Support Boat Handling. Observer: There should be a person on the safety-rescue boat who watches the tow and alerts the operator if any problems develop. This person will tend the towline and transmit information to the operator while picking up or releasing a tow. Speed…Read More

Hypothermia and Heat Emergencies

Sailors are often exposed to extreme conditions. During these cold winter days during Frostbite racing, or on hot sunny days with no wind, or rainy days with too much wind, or prolonged exposure to wind and spray... all of the things that make sailing challenging and fun can sneak up on you if you do…Read More

Weather Forecasting: Know your lows

By Stan Honey and Ken Campbell There are three major types of lows: tropical lows, mid-latitude lows, and cut-off lows. It is important to understand the differences between them. Tropical lows live in the belt of tradewinds, and are also known as tropical depressions, tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons. They are seasonal and travel east…Read More

Man Overboard Recovery Procedure

Written by Peter Isler, with additional contributions by Chuck Hawley and Michael Jacobs "Man Overboard" is probably the third most famous nautical hail, after "Land Ho" and "Thar She Blows," but it is by far the most serious and potentially life threatening of the three. Man Overboard Rescue Procedure Although we should keep in mind…Read More

Developing Youth Sailors: What parents can do to build a strong foundation

By: Jessica M. Mohler, Psy.D., CC-AASPClinical and Sport PsychologistUnited States Naval AcademyJessica Mohler is a clinical and sports psychologist, and a sailing mom too. In this article, Mohler provides an interesting outlook on parenting youth athletes from a sailing perspective and makes recommendations that will help you build a strong foundation for your youth sailor.I…Read More