Safety First In Ocean Race

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30953, 8 January 1966, Page 3

Safety First In Ocean Race

Stringent safety regulations, which include nearly 100 compulsory equipment requirements, have been enforced for the Wellington-to-Akaroa ocean race today.

“Some of the yachtsmen consider the regulations are too stringent but we do not want any repetition of the disasters which occurred in the centennial race in 1951,” the secretary of the Akaroa Cruising Club (Mr J. F. Bovin) said yesterday. Violent south-easterly gales sank two yachts in the 1951 race and 10 yachtsmen were drowned.

All yachts in today’s race [have been closely scrutinised and given an official survey to ensure seaworthiness and compliance with regulations. Mr Bevin said that special weather forecasts were being broadcast for the race. In addition Naval vessels on exercises in the Marlborough Sounds would keep a listening watch in case their assistance was required in an emergency and an R.N.Z.A.F. Sunderland on flying exercises in the area was expected to watch for the yachts.

The Wellington launch Miranda will accompany the fleet. Yachts would keep in touch by radio with both the Miranda and shore radio stations, said Mr Bevin.

Compulsory equipment includes life-jackets and safety harnesses for all crew members, two anchors, two compasses, and broadcast and emergency radio sets for each boat. A list of additional compulsory equipment occupies several pages in the Akaroa Cruising Club's booklet of regulations for the race. Mr Bevin said ail five Canterbury entries had arrived in Wellington and had been passed fit to start the race. Last night the weather in Wellington was reported to be calm and there were indications of a light north-easterly wind, said Mr Bevin. Two withdrawals because of rigging defects and one because of business commitments have reduced the number of starters to 11, com-

pared with 20 in the 1951 race. The yachts will start from the Royal Port Nicholson yacht club in Wellington harbour at 2 p.m. unless unfavourable weather is forecast later today. Last night the forecast was for decreasing south-easterly winds followed by light variable winds in the sailing area. Starters tomorrow afternoon will be: —

Ahurangi, 44ft ketch (D. Scott), Altair, 50ft ketch (S. O. Moore), Caprice, 40ft sloop (N. Dimock), Calypso, 32ft cutter (A. D. Couling), Canterbury). Charmaine. 29ft sloop (B. H. Barrac lough). Entreaty, 30ft masthead sloop (D. C. Gould), Canterbury. Janlyn, 43ft cutter (R. D. Stout), Ngatahi, 45ft ketch (R. R. Parkhouse). Canterbury), Spree, 28ft Bermudan ketch (H. T. Grigg), Canterbury, Tainui, 37ft Marconi cutter (R. Lloyd), Canterbury. Takohe, 40ft yawl (L. Gatehouse).