Brian Hancock - www.aroundalone.com
Intense safety at sea briefing
Leg 3 of the Around Alone is likely to be one of the most dangerous of the race. The Southern Ocean is a place with a fearsome reputation, most if it well deserved. In previous around the world races sailors have perished in the cold waters, and for the lucky ones, there have been some heroic rescues. With this in mind both the competitors and race organizers take the issue of safety very seriously. This morning the Around Alone skippers attended an intense safety at sea briefing at the Cape Technikon Survival center in Cape Town. This center has a world recognized reputation for being one of the best, and it was obvious to all that attended the seminar that they deserved the acclaim.
In addition to attending a boisterous lecture on hypothermia and how to deal with its consequences, the skippers spent some time learning about different flares and how to set them off. They also spent time in the water testing their survival suits. It is a race requirement that all the skippers carry a survival suit on board, and they were given an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of how to get the most out of their equipment. They were also given some very valuable tips on how to survive in life-threatening situations. The skippers also had the opportunity to inflate a life raft and they practiced righting an inverted raft. Just for fun they attended additional lectures while seated in the raft in their survival gear. While most of the skippers have already done courses in safety and survival, they all agreed that reinforcing what they already know was vitally important. "It’s good to have this information fresh in our minds as we set off on this next leg," said Brad van Liew as he summed up the sentiments of all the skippers.
With less than 48 hours to go to the start of Leg 3, the docks are a scene of frantic activity. New sails are being delivered, boats are coming and going as sea trials take place, and the media and general public wander about asking questions and taking photos. If there is any nervousness among the competitors, it does not show. Tonight John Dennis will address a group of nurses, doctors and the general public in Cape Town in an event organized by his sponsor Bayer Diagnostics, and tomorrow there will be the Class 2 prize giving and press conference at the beautiful BMW Pavilion at the Waterfront in Cape Town. Once those commitments are out of the way, the last few hours will be spent with family. Saturday morning is sure to come along too soon for the skippers as their reindexing time in South Africa wanes.
--- Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net
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