Safety is our focus, safety related news articles are shown below.

ORCV Safety and Training (Also, Apollo Bay (not))

Another Class Begins.

Two classes of the ever popular and always sold out ORCV Safety and Sea Survival Course begun this Saturday morning. Historically just racers did it, now shore crew, cruisers and Bay racers are getting involved, to ensure they know the best solutions, should it all go a little sideways on you.

One person who has a couple of friends doing this particular course is Sue Haliwell. She wrote to us after the recent Melbourne to Apollo Bay (not) race and it serves as a reminder of the many things that go into making an event safe, fun and rewarding for all. Also, the ferocity of the cells rolling across Port Phillip proved that you did not have to have gone and stuck your nose out in it (Bass Strait, that is), in order to be in some decent old weather. Poor old Fleeka also found out about that - and you can see that HERE.

Susan had this to say after the M2AB (not) race. "Thanks for a great event. I have to say a BIG thank you to the ORCV crew. Hosting such an event and then having to downscale it, due to the weather conditions, would have tested your risk assessment skills and how to get everyone who was entered, accurately informed of the continually renewed routes. Well done and thank goodness for modern technology and someone willing to knock on all the yachts hatches early Saturday morning."

"It was challenging, but an exhilarating event. A great forerunner for an ocean race and we crew now know we could handle being in the ocean, still joking and scoffing lollies, whilst changing and trimming sails and admiring our gorgeous green, narrow shouldered spinnaker. We did have a few injuries to ourselves, but only one broken tweeker block on the starboard side. Oh! And one of the zips on my drop pants....thank goodness for the backup Velcro. A big thank you from the crew to our truly skilled sailing master/helmsman Bretlyn Brown, helmsman/ tactician, Bill Westerbeek, mainsailtrimmer Dave Holter, grinder and office lady, Meg O'Shannessey, navigator/comms and grinder, Hayley Thomas, foredeckies Leeton Hulley and me, Sue (Susan) Halliwell. We also wish to thank Second to None's owner, Nola Walch, for allowing us the pleasure of sailing her boat.... Cheers me hearties!!"

Right Oh. Mission accomplished, I'd say... And thank you very much for your feedback, Sue. The Committee appreciates you making the time to do so.

This would be Leeton, as shot by Sue.

Look out - something will show up...

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

ORCV Safety and Training

Is there an Update/Revalidation SSSC?

Short Answer: No.

Long Answer: There is good reason that the ORCV does not offer the update/revalidation course anymore and it is not about being difficult. Times have changed and the requirements placed on all of us have also changed - and continue to do so! Part of the ORCV's core ethos is to ensure knowledge transfer and thereby make the sport as safe as possible.

ORCV Rear Commodore and Chairman of the Training Committee, Neville 'Nifty' Rose, explains things very clearly for us. "All ORCV training activities specifically relate to ocean sailing and racing. This is especially so where there may be barriers to entering this domain. The ORCV recognises the need to make both training courses and sailing in general, more accessible. It is also of utmost importance to ensure adequate safety training is being provided."

"Yachting Australia (YA) held a forum in September 2010 to discuss the format and content of a revised one day YA/ISAF Update/Revalidation Safety and Sea Survival Course (SSSC). The option to attend the forum (or provide submissions) was extended to all SSSC Instructors across the country, all organisers of Category One and Two races in Australia and a number of regular/professional racing yachtsmen. We, the ORCV, conducted a review of the format and content of a revised one day YA/ISAF Update/Revalidation SSSC and formed the view that the Update/Revalidation SSSC was no longer appropriate. As a leading authority on ocean sailing, racing and training in Australia, a Yachting Australia Training Centre (YATC) with five YA accredited SSSC Instructors and the Organising Authority of Category Zero, One and Two ocean races, the ORCV provided a submission to the YA forum detailing our view."

Neville went on to explain that the ORCV was not the only one that held this view. "At the YA forum, 'It was felt by most course providers that it would be too hard to run a one day revalidation course that covered all of the topics required." You can read more detail about the YA findings HERE.

"So, after careful consideration, the ORCV Training Committee resolved to cease offering training for the one day YA Update/Revalidation SSSC", Nifty finished with. When you look at it, the up shot is that you are still only coming to class twice and you will learn new things that you can deploy over the next five years. A lot of shore crew have found it interesting and valuable to do the course as well and it would seem it gives both them and the sailors they're following, as they go about their adventures, real peace of mind.

Now the next course is on at the end of May and you can find the links to enrollment and other important elements at the bottom of this article. There are a lot of sailors coming up to the end of their certificate, so it is advisable to get in to a course before the end of year rush!!!

Two of the ORCV's five YA Qualified SSSC Instructors, Neville Rose and Noel May conduct a class at MHS.

The details of the next course are as follows:

• Held all day of both Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, 2011 at the South Yarra Sports Centre (Melbourne High School) from 0815 to 1715hrs.
• MUST get a completed and paid for enrollment to the office by May 15!!!!!!!!

N.B. We ask that you please read and comprehend the course outline and then complete the enrollment form,

which is linked off the bottom of the said course outline. Go HERE to start that process.

Go HERE to go directly to the online form to secure your place. (Yes!!! New online facility being tested for this course. Cool huh?!) Please remember to complete all of your details or upgrade your YA information in the database, so that this information comes through on your application.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

ORCV Safety and Training

SSSC for May, 2011.

There are a number of boats that go to sea with their crew all SSSC qualified souls, which is plainly very smart. You can bolster the number of SSSC qualified souls for your racing this season and next Xmas by doing the ORCV's ultra-famous Safety and Sea Survival Course. Now it is true that all who are planning to spend time on a boat in open water (yes, Cruisers too) will find this course stimulating and enlightening. However, it is not only of interest to sailors, but also helps shore crew to understand the safety requirements of offshore sailing and the search and rescue process in the event of an emergency.

The first positions have already been taken by those on the waiting list and class sizes are limited. So if you would like to participate, then jump right in.

• Held all day of Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, 2011 at the South Yarra Sports Centre (Melbourne High School) from 0815 to 1715hrs on both days.
• MUST get a completed and paid for enrollment to the office by May 15!!!!!!!!

N.B. We ask that you please read and comprehend the course outline and then complete the enrollment form,

which is linked off the bottom of the said course outline. Go HERE to start that process.

Go HERE to go directly to the online form to secure your place. (Yes!!! New online facility being tested for this course. Cool huh?!)

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

A

No matter whether you're an avid yachty, casual fisherman, dedicated beach walker, interested surfer, summertime boaty, keen historian or local resident (say all that in a hurry), the ORCV's Rip Tour has been a highlight for years because it is informative and truly educational. The next Rip Tour is set for April 10, 2011 and it always sells out, so get in early would be my thoughts on the matter. I went on a previous Rip Tour and it was great to see people really understand what you we're showing them, like the standing wave off Point Nepean.

This aerial view may help you get an idea of why it is critical to be in the correct sector as given to you by Point Lonsdale Light when making you approach through The Rip at Port Phillip Heads. Point Lonsdale Signal Station (Lonsdale VTS) on Ch12 VHF is the correct way to reach them.

Remember, of course, that it is weather dependent, so ensure you fill one form out for each passenger and give us your contact information in case of postponement or cancellation. The only other thing you need to work out is if you are boarding at Queenscliff (no doubt most likely before a stellar lunch) or Sorrento (in which case you're better off driving up to the vineyards for lunch). In addition to a great day out, what you get included in the whole deal are:

• A copy of the ORCV's Rip Guide
• Identification of major beacons and marks
• Queenscliff lead lights and shipping channels
• Information on tides and tide signals
• The ability to identify favourable conditions and dangers
• Performing correct passages out of and back into Port Phillip.

Now it's not just us that think it's a great little excursion. Here's what others have had to say over the years:

...I want to thank the ORCV for the Rip Tour.  My family and I had a great time.  The kids are still talking about it!  It was a great buzz to for them to learn a bit about navigation and also to see some wildlife (dolphins in particular).  Please pass on my appreciation to all the organisers for an excellent job.

Regards, David Johnson

Hi there ORCV,

Just a quick note to let you know that I, and four of my crew, really enjoyed the Rip Tour on Sunday.  We all thought it was a very well worthwhile day.  The commentary and explanations were excellent.  A1.

Many thanks, Dennis Hambleton

The Rip - delightful one day... and not so flash the next. Come and find out how to pick it and where to get up-to-date information from.

Come and learn exactly where these four fingers are on the satellite pic at the top of the story and why they're as crucial as the ones on your own hand!!!

Not just out in the drink as sunbeds for seals and perches for birds, they have a mission. Learn what that is on the April 10, 2011 ORCV Rip Tour or you may end up steaming along like the lads in Weekend at Bernie's below...

So now to book and reserve your spot on this great tour, click HERE for the training page, which contains the enrollment form and then get it to the ORCV office pronto...

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.