Inadvertent Beacon Activations Investigation 

Do you know what an inadvertent beacon activation (IA) is? Have you ever experienced one personally or observed one on yachts you hIve sailed on? Equally, and as importantly, have you seen articles from Australian Sailing on Digital Selective Calling (DSC), followed by Accidental PLB Activation along with an article written by MAST published in Boatwise, Monitoring VHF Radio and False EPIRB activations? Chances are the answer is NO! 

Over recent years significant effort has been invested by AMSA, Australian Sailing, and others to raise awareness of issues leading to inadvertent activations and the costly implications when one occurs. 

During last December’s marquis races CYCA’s Sydney to Hobart and ORCV’s Melbourne Hobart "Westcoaster" there were more than a dozen IAs. How can there be so many false alarms in our top line races with the cream of ocean racing crews participating? If these yachts cannot sail free from false alarms what hope is there for lesser calibre racers and cruising yachts? 

The inadvertent activations resulting from racing or returning from these events had major ramifications. You will all be aware that line honours in the Sydney to Hobart changed on protest. Another yacht required an aircraft flyover to verify the vessel was safe. In both instances the cause of problem was noted as not maintaining proper radio watch. In fact, their radio watch would not have been an issue had they had not had an inadvertent activation of a PLB on board requiring AMSA to contact them. 

In January this year the ORCV established a Special Investigation Group to investigate the causes of inadvertent activations of PLBs, EPIRBs, DSC, and AIS MOB during the December races and, more broadly, in past ORCV races. A significant number of yachts were investigated in detail. Some of the PLBs involved were sent to ACR in the USA, for testing. AMSA provided significant data and insights on these incidents. 

The ORCV SIG Report has been released with a copy found here. It makes significant recommendations to reduce inadvertent activations. The current methods marketing the topic to yachties has not worked and we need to change the situation. Clearly, those who need to hear the message are not getting it! 

Please review the report raise your awareness of Inadvertent Beacon Activations. 
Bruce Reidy (Investigator on inadvertent activations for the ORCV SIG) 

Race Director Training

Race Director Training Dates:  

• Wed 27th July 7pm (Online), please be online by 6.45pm via this teams link 
• Sun 31st July, 9.30am (all day in person) ORCV Office, 3 Aquatic Drive Albert Park 
• Wed 10th August 7.30pm (in person with some pre-online content), IMT Training

Pre reading for the Race Director course are the following:

• King Island incident report, click here
• PWC Shockwave Flinders Islet report, skim read the findings, click here  

Referenced in the Race Director training course are the following:

• URLs used, click here
• Powerpoint slide pack - Session 1, click here
• Powerpoint slide pack - Session 2, click here
• World Sailing - International Race Officer role description, click here
• ORCV - Race Director job description, click here
• Racing Rules of sailing, click here
• Special Regulations for Keelboats, click here
• Race Management guides and checklists:
  • Planning and preparation guide, click here
  • Risk Assessment Template, click here
  • Setting up a race in Topyacht,  click here
  • Topyacht and Finishing guide, click here
  • Setting up Tracker, click here
  • Communications and Tracker guide, click here
  • Checklist for Delayed start, click here
  • Checklist for Finishing, click here
  • Checklist for Retirement, click here
• Example planner spreadsheet, click here
• Example Lessons Learned report, click here
• ORCV Social media policy, click here

Overnight Bay Race

The ORCV Overnight Bay Race is designed to provide both an introduction to overnight sailing for participants of our Beyond the Bay Program and to provide an opportunity for established crews to improve their night racing skills in a competitive environment.

The race is conducted on Port Phillip with a designated course using fixed marks, starting at 1400hrs on Saturday 1 October 2022 and finishing at 0900 on Sunday 2 October 2022 in the vicinity of Hobsons Bay, followed by Breakfast at the Hobsons Bay Yacht Club.

Skippers may choose to Start from lines located in Corio Bay (Geelong), Dromana Bay (Safety Beach) and in the Vicinity of Royal Brighton Yacht Club, converging in the centre of Port Phillip before proceeding along a common course.

Results will be calculated based on corrected distance travelled using handicap allowances calculated from AMS, ORC and PHS time correction factors, depending on divisions entered. Yachts may enter all three Divisions and are free to race from the start line of choice.

If you aren't sure how to use Topyacht for entry, please follow this guide.