ORCV12

Safety and Sea

Survival Course.

(SSSC)

ORCV-logo_G_[OCEANTRAINING]_PNG

Overview

The popular, biennial Fastnet race, was first held in 1925 in the Irish Sea and is run by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. A severe storm during the 1979 race resulted in the deaths of 17 competitors and the loss or abandonment of 23 yachts. This led to a major overhaul of the rules and the equipment required for the competition.

In the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race of 1998, fierce storms and violent winds battered the fleet with the loss of six sailors and five yachts. A total of 55 sailors were rescued and a subsequent coroner’s inquest made recommendations which have been adopted into the Yachting Australia Special Regulations.

At least 50% of the crew, including the skipper when racing in a Category 1 and at least 30% for Category 2 shall hold a Safety and Sea Survival Course certificate of competence. The ORCV requires 50% for Category 2 events, though it is strongly recommended that for both categories of races all crew members undertake the course. This course is a pre-requisite for ocean racing, not only to meet the safety requirements but to demonstrate an acceptance of your personal and team responsibilities for safety on board an ocean going boat.

All who are planning to spend time on a boat in open water will find this course stimulating and enlightening. 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.

Outcomes

• To assist offshore skippers and crews in developing awareness of respective responsibilities.

• To offer and discuss practical strategies for coping with emergencies at sea.

• To familiarise skippers and crews with safety and emergency equipment, its purpose, deployment, and use.

An SSSC certificate will be issued by Yachting Australia to successful candidates and will be valid for a period of 5 years.

Pre-requisites

Your fitness to be able to complete the wet drill and other activities is anticipated.

Course Outline

The Theory component of the syllabus comprises four sections.

1. Yacht preparation

2. Crew preparation

3. Racing & Weather

4. Emergencies

It will be delivered over two days (16 hours).

The theory component covers the following elements:

• Introduction - Causes of marine emergencies

• Principles of survival

• Personal lifesaving appliances

• Areas of risk and emergencies

• Abandoning ship

• Search and rescue

• Use of pyrotechnics

• Fire prevention and fire fighting

• Emergency communications

• First aid and early management of injury or illness

• Duty of care

The practical wet drill will be conducted in a heated pool. Wearing your full wet weather gear you will complete a number of drills individually and within teams which include:

• Man overboard drill SSSC_Sep2005-LargeGroupHuddles
• Inflating personal flotation device (pfd)
• Testing pfd
• Swimming techniques
• Conserving heat
• Teamwork
• Retrieving and donning life jacket while in the water
• Righting an upturned liferaft
• Entering a liferaft unassisted
• Contents of survival kit
• Retrieving crew with throwing line

The practical flare shoot will include igniting several different types of flares.

Assessments

Theory Exam 80% pass mark; and
Practical competency (wet and flare drills)

What to Bring

Theory:

notebook and pens
YA Blue Book (current)
change for meter car parking if parking outside the school
examples of current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) used on vessels you have set to sea on, as well as experiences to share with other attendees.

Wet drill:

full 3 layer ocean clothing (inner thermal layer, mid layer and outer ocean wet weather gear layer) & sea boots
wash all clothing including wet weather gear before hand and empty all pockets
PFD1 YA approved per Blue Book, check for currency and compliance with Standards
Remove gas bottle from inflateable PFD1 if inflating manually
crotch strap
Towel
Do NOT bring your Dye Marker
advise staff at pool that you are attending the ORCV SSSC to avoid being charged the normal entry fee

We recommend that you prepare for this course as you would for an ocean voyage and suggest you have an early night the day before and avoid alcohol.

Additionally, the Instructors require you to wear closed shoes for the entire course, please.

Duration
The SSSC Full course is conducted over a period of at least 16 hours (2 full days).

Dates, Locations, Times

Day 1: Saturday 28 September 2013, @ South Yarra Sports Centre, 8:15am to 5:30pm
Day 2: Sunday 29 September 2013, @ South Yarra Sports Centre, 8:15am to 5:30pm

NB: South Yarra Sports Centre is located at Melbourne High School on Chapel Street, South Yarra (near cnr Alexandra Avenue). Melways Ref: 58 E2. For a map see HERE.

Vehicle entry and parking in school grounds - enter from Alexandra Ave.

Cost
$290.00 for financial ORCV members.
$340.00 for non-members and non-financial members.
This includes the registration of the qualification with Yachting Australia.

We can also supply the Yachting Australia Blue Book for an additional $43.00.

Course Materials

A Student Resource Pack will be provided.

Gloves and Protective Eyewear for the Flare Drill will be provided.

A Light lunch (salad rolls) will be provided.

Course Presenters