Report hints at higher visibility for Volvo Ocean Race boats
An inquiry into what could be improved in the wake of last year’s race collision with a fishing boat seeks changeOrganisers behind the Volvo Ocean Race will weigh up making small changes to the routes its future competitors take after an investigation into last year’s collision with a fishing boat suggested keeping boats out of highly trafficked waterways.
The report, sparked in the wake of the death of a Chinese fisherman after a nighttime collision on the race’s leg from Melbourne to Hong Kong, notes that the current sail plan made keeping a watch from the lee bow – the side of the boat falling away from the wind – “a major challenge” for racers.
It also identified that the current practices for maintaining a proper watch at night to avoid a potential collision, using a method known as “dipping the bow”, varied greatly between teams.
The report, compiled by experience sailors including former Australian Navy rear admiral Chris Oxenbould, US navigation specialist Stan Honey and US yachtsman Chuck Hawley, also found faults with the equipment used to help the boats recognise the shipping traffic around them, and that navigation lights on the boats were difficult to see when they were moving at high speed.
Improvements noted
The report said there were “no major structural changes” recommended for the race, although things could be improved.
“There are some enhancements proposed to improve the look-out from the VO 65 [race boat] and enhance its visibility at sea, and in harbour. Both of these areas should positively impact the determination of a ‘safe speed’,” it said.
“In support of this common goal to allow the boats to be raced as hard as practical, there are some minor changes recommended for the management of the race.”
These include moving finish lines out of congested waterways, changes to the boats’ current “AIS” automatic identification system (which failed due to connectors that were not rugged enough for the environment), better radar and training on how to use it, and forward-looking infrared cameras that could detect objects in darkness.
More visibility
The report also recommends that the boats, which regularly hit speeds of 30-plus knots, fit a flashing masthead light to improve their visibility.
Proposals to change the sail plan to open up the line of sight from the lee bow, shine lights on the upper parts of, and even insert clear panels in, sails were dismissed as being too impractical.
Race organisers are considering the report.
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