Harken NZ Newsletter - August 2011 - Focus on Safety
by Harken NZ on 5 Sep 2011
Rambler 100 capsize Fastnet Rock August 2011 Nigel Millard/RNLI Baltimore
http://www.baltimorelifeboat.ie/
Welcome to the www.fostersshipchandlery.co.nz!Harken_NZ_Newsletter for August
Spring is upon us and it is a great time to look at the summer ahead and some lifesaving products available for sailors in the know. Also in this month's release we follow the very recent capsizes of maxi's 'Rambler 100' and 'IDEC', announce an exciting new agency, and have a look at options for the cruising sailor.
The new look Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter are looking magnificent and will be ready to host one of the best Auckland International Boat Shows to date.
Make sure you come down to Te Wero Island and visit us on the stand. We look forward to catching up with you,
The Team at Harken NZ
Capsize!
It has been a month of high profile capsizes after the locally built 'Rambler 100' (Speedboat) lost her keel during the 2011 Fastnet Race followed in quick succession by 100 foot maxi trimaran IDEC going over off the coast of New York. Apart form the significant size of both the vessels involved what both of these events illustrate is the importance of good preparation.
Reading reports from on-board 'Rambler 100', the boat overturned at such a rapid pace that only 16 of the crew made it to the upturned hull with a further five, including skipper George David, ending up being swept away from the vessel. Fortunately the capsize occurred during daylight hours and there was a support boat quickly on the scene to pluck the remaining crew from the water. According to Peter Neilsen and Adam Cort of Sail Magazine
'With the help of an EPIRB transmission from one of the sailors in the water, they were able to rescue David and the other sailors who hadn’t been able to climb aboard Rambler 100’s upturned hull'
The first boat on the scene happened to be a media boat following one of the Gunboat 66s, 'Phaedo', who were able to capture some dramatic images of the rescue. What you will notice from the shots is that all the crew are wearing inflatable safety vests. Where they also performed well was following good procedures from the water, able to get most of the crew successfully back on board. For those in the water keeping together by linking arms to form a circle and setting off an EPIRB, which significantly contributed to the speedy recovery of the crew. See the full set of photos here http://sailmagazine.com/racing/rambler_100_capsizes/
Likewise the capsize of IDEC in difficult conditions, solo, at night, under triple reefed main and storm sail also demonstrated the value of preparation. Francis Joyon relives the point of capsize'Within seconds, I was 'on the roof'. I found myself under water, beneath the nets. I tried to guide myself back to open air. It was night and chaos.'. Joyon re-enters through a safety hatch retrieves his Iridium phone and radios for help. He knows where he is and has the calm presence of mind to alert other shipping to what amounts to a major hazard in one of the main routes into New York. Read more here http://www.thedailysail.com/offshore/11/59553/0/idec-capsizes
Both these incidents resulted in the recovery of all crew and the vessels. At the time of writing this IDEC was in Montauk, New York after having the 'platform replaced'. And reminding us of an old sailors superstition about changing the name of a ship. Rambler 100 ,ex Virgin Money, ex Speedboat is currently floating right side up in Baltimore, West Cork.
Skin Cancer is on the rise
With winter officially over on September 1 and spring, at least in Auckland, seeming to be starting a little earlier than expected. It's a good time to think about the peak boating season and what to expect this summer. According to NIWA we are looking at a 'typical La Nina summer' which means, generally speaking, average to higher than average temperatures across the country.
Skin cancer rates in New Zealand are world leading and according to the cancer society 'skin cancer amounts to around 80% of all new cancers each year'. The last research statistics from 2008 are harrowing reading with 317 deaths attributed to melanoma, making it the 'leading cause of cancer death among people aged 25 to 44 years'. Based on historic trends this rate is expected to continue.
For sailors the risk is even greater with often longer than average exposure to the sun. This is exacerbated by the three major sources of sun damage, direct exposure, reflection off the water, and the glare off the sails. The answer to avoiding any excess exposure is to cover up.
Most summer cruisers will have a favourite straw hat to wear, sunglasses are a must, and a long sleeve shirt to protect the arms, an area many people tend to forget. The problem is once you're all covered up the tendency is to bake thanks to all that excess clothing. The only way to get a little respite from harsher side of mother nature is the welcome relief of the shaded side of the boat.
Harken have come up with a great solution to this problem in the form of the vented tech shirt. As the name suggests the shirt has ventilation patches up the inside of the arms and across the back and is made from a lightweight wicking fabric. Couple that with UPF 50+ protection and it makes the tech shirt a great option for wearing on or off the boat this summer. For more on the range follow the link or give us a call on 0508 367 837. http://www.harkensailinggear.com/clothing/UV-Shirts.php
http://www.cancernz.org.nz/reducing-your-cancer-risk/sunsmart/about-skin-cancer/skin-cancer-facts-and-figures/
See the long range predictions here http://www.niwa.co.nz/climate/seasonal-climate-outlook-december-2010-february-2011
Great deals on offer at the 2011 Boat Show
This year's Auckland International Boat Show is going to be a big one with over 180 exhibitors already registered. The new look Viaduct Harbour is booked to capacity and the showcasing on the water and static displays. If you haven't had a chance to have a look at the new Wynyard Quarter development it is well worth the trip. Walk across the lifting pedestrian access bridge to the public spaces and bustling cafes of Gateway Plaza and be sure to take a look at the Graeme Hart's partially completed motor yacht berthed at the end of the development.
The Viaduct Events Centre will be housing the bulk of the exhibitors with another two temporary pavilions located at the rear of the building. Our stand is in Pavilion 4 on Te Wero Island (near the Maritime Museum entrance to the show) and we will have some great deals on offer for those who make the trip down to the show. Spinlock Deckvests will be on sale for $399 with a free tether (worth $95) and our popular Harken Vortex Shoes will be down to $119. We will also be offering special pricing with Harken discount vouchers, only valid for the duration of the show.
We look forward to catching up with you down at the stand and while you're there don't forget to enter into the draw to win a $1000 Harken Sport package, only available at the show. See our latest ad in September's Boating Magazine for more.
Cruising for a bruising: Are furlers the obvious choice?
If you have a cruising yacht the last thing you want to do is leave the cockpit, especially when short-handed. And if you are sailing longer distances the ability the reduce sail quickly and easily is essential. A well timed reef in the main can make cruising safer and more enjoyable.
When buying an older cruising boat it is common to have the same furler they were fitted with 15 or 20 years ago, or with a set of sails that are well past their used by date. Most owners use these for weekend and holiday cruising until that one fateful day when the sail decides to let go for the last time. And it's just too embarrassing to take it back to the sail maker for another round of repairs.
Whether you like pushing the envelope a little or relaxed cruising a furler and well matched sail is going to be more economic than replacing a full set of sails. And there is nothing worse than having a worn out set of sails cluttering up your boat or garage. A furler gives you the ability to reduce sail quickly from the cockpit when you sail shorthanded and control boat speed easily when coming into a bay.
Made in the US, Harken cruising furlers are designed specifically for longevity and strength and will provide years of trouble free use. Available from all good riggers the most commonly supplied Cruising Unit 1 suits boats 28'-36' and has a recommended retail price of $2506.95 incl. GST.
With a number of the original model still in used on boats after 20 years it's just good economics.
For more on Harken Furlers follow the link to the Harken website http://www.harken.com/press/Harken-CruisingFurler07.php
Compasses: Still essential safety equipment
Originally made from lodestone compasses have come a long way to the modern instruments we see today. GPS may have superseded the reliable compass for navigation but as a safety device a good compass is an essential piece of equipment.
When the batteries have failed a compass can be a lifesaver. Whether for navigating out of a bay when the wind changes during the night or if you need to use a hand bearing compass to work out where you are on a chart. Compass navigation, especially to avoid hazards when the GPS is down, is a key boating skill and something that the modern sailor needs to competent in before heading out.
Most sailors have had a close call while relying on the GPS and know the value of a modern reliable compass for dead reckoning and plotting a course. With this in mind Fosters have landed the first shipment of the Riviera range. Riviera have been making compasses in Genova, Italy since 1976 and produce a range of durable and cost effective models that rival anything available on the market today. This includes the essential hand bearing compass as well as the standard sized flush mounted and binnacle mounted models.
To find out more about the range go to our website www.fostersshipchandlery.co.nz using the keyword: 'Riviera'
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sailworldcruising.com/88106