Three yachts participating in or returning from the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race incurred severe flooding and were abandoned. All aboard were rescued without death or injury. All three yachts later sank. 

US Sailing, the CCA, and the BROC empaneled a team of experienced ocean sailors to review the incidents. Their findings are linked below.

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Our fleet surgeon, Jeffrey S. Wisch, M.D., has prepared the attached memorandum which contains excellent advice and a comprehensive medical list.  Updated PDF posted here

  

 

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In general, of all of the lithium-ion cells that were tested, LiFePO4 would be considered the safest cathode material because of the relatively low temperature rise and the resulting low likelihood for thermal runaway to propagate. LiCoO2 and LiMnNi would be considered the most hazardous because of the relatively large temperature rise and high probability for propagation of thermal runaway to adjacent battery cells. Read more

The underlying reason to wear a life jacket is to provide buoyancy to keep the wearer’s mouth above the water to prevent drowning while awaiting rescue. With that relatively simple goal, why are there so many life jacket designs, and why are some more effective than others? Read more

“We know the topography of Mars 100 times better than the bathymetry of our oceans.” Dr. David L. Porter made this statement during his presentation, Probing the Sea, at the Environment of the Sea Committee meeting at the 2024 Fall meeting. Dr. Porter is one of the many scientists and researchers who continue to measure and analyze the oceans that are so precious to the CCA. Dr.

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Disappearing Targets

“Safety Moments, presented at CCA Stations and Posts”

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For years, Nick Thornton and I sailed together. We went through the junior sailing program at Royal Victoria Yacht Club in British Columbia, we raced against and cruised with each other in dinghies and keelboats, and as adults we sailed many miles offshore together. During the spring of 2007, he called me about his son. “Sam’s finishing high school and plans to take a year off,” said Nick. “What do you think about taking him on a delivery with you this fall?” Read more

Undone by Unappreciated Risk in Routine Maneuver

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There’s often a prolonged period of motoring to cross the largely windless Pacific High and to make headway in some adverse winds. Motoring, at least with my vintage Pathfinder engine, introduces vibration into the boat. Many, many cycles. Read more

Michael Moradzadeh, San Francisco Station

 

The Global Software Glitch of the Summer of 2024 serves as a warning and reminder to, among others, ocean voyagers.

An innocent error in coding took out thousands of computers, with paralyzing consequences for global communications including systems used by offshore sailors for email and weather. One can only imagine the consequences of an intentional, malicious, attack.

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