One Year Later: an open letter from Bryan Chong

[LuzSD]

Bryan Chong who survived the horrific wreck of the Sydney 38 Low Speed Chase shares his reflections one year later...

I wanted to share this for those who might not have seen it.....it is well worth reading. I have copied it here or you can go to the link on Sailing Anarchy:
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=146067&hl=+low++speed++chase


There’s nothing in life more absolutely devastating than the loss of a loved one. It creates a sudden vacancy once occupied by a meaningful connection, awakens us to our own mortality, and forces us to evaluate who we are, what we’ve done and where we’re headed. For the family, friends and survivors, the April 14, 2012 Low Speed Chase accident at the Farallones changed our lives forever.
Alexander Graham Bell said, “When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.”

The door that opened for me catapulted me out of my old life and into a new one. It made me reflect on the decisions I’ve made in life and led me to readjust my priorities. It motivated me to stop procrastinating on things I’d do when I had "enough time.” Instead of returning to work, I went on the road with my wonderful wife and infant son. We spent the summer driving 10,000 miles in our yellow Westy Vanagon around the West Coast visiting friends and places I’d always longed to see - Yellowstone, the Tetons, Glacier, Pikes Peak, Telluride and Mt. Rushmore, just to name a few. I finally saw a concert at Red Rocks and a rodeo in South Dakota.

Then in September, instead of going home like responsible adults, we flew to Europe and kept adventuring until we ran out of good weather. All journeys eventually end, and in late January we finally came back to Marin. The trip afforded me the priceless chance to spend a year bonding with my wife and son. It also gave me time to reflect on life, the accident and those I'd lost. It was the trip of a lifetime and I wish I could have shared it with all my Low Speed Chase crewmates.
Not a day passes that I don’t think about what went wrong that day at the Farallones and what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again. I was by no means an expert in safety before the accident, but since I've been home numerous sailing groups have invited me to share my thoughts on this topic. I always bring my tether and lifejacket with me to emphasize the basics, but I prefer to focus on the fundamental concept that safety only exists when everyone becomes a leader.

Safety leadership isn’t always easy. It takes a willingness to speak up when others don’t. It’s choosing the safety of yourself and your crewmates over pride, appearance, comfort, costs or an engraved silver cup. It’s leadership by example and can be as simple as showing up early to make sure the safety equipment’s primed, double checking a teammate’s PFD cartridge and tether, tossing your favorite sailing hat in the water to force an MOB exercise, buying your friend a Spinlock lifejacket for their birthday, or setting the expectation that you’ll only crew on boats that take safety seriously. It’s investing in yourself by attending training, sharing what you learned with others, and following through when on the water.
Over the past year, I’ve learned that sailors aren’t the only ones shifting their attention to developing a better safety culture. Tuesday morning, I spoke to the 200 person executive leadership team at PG&E, our local power company. Last year they lost five people to accidents that might have been prevented with the proper use of safety equipment.

I now routinely find myself in safety discussions in which I’m called upon to offer my opinion. I’m still not an expert on all the safety practices, but I do see three areas where we can start focusing.

1) Resolve to be a leader on safety issues. You don't need to own a boat or be the most experienced sailor. You only need to care about the people aboard.
2) Take a sailing safety class. I recommend finding an interactive one with a small class size that requires attendees to calculate minimum depths using wave forecasts, set off flares, cut rigging, extinguish fires and enter the water with full gear.
3) If you’re in a leadership position for a yacht club or sailing team, recruit a safety instructor to host a seminar for your people.

In 2007, Ashley Perrin and Paul Cunningham, who both specialize in preparing boats for offshore sailing, attempted to host an ISAF certified safety training class. Not enough people registered. Fast forward to today. In the 12 months since the Low Speed Chase accident, they’ve hosted seven classes at the San Francisco Yacht Club, all filled to capacity. Are we evolving as a sailing community? I’d like to believe we are.

A door has opened for sailors to embrace safety. Many have already walked through that door and taken leadership roles on their boats. I’ve seen others pulled through by spouses demanding they attend a safety class before their next ocean race.

This weekend, as we remember those we lost at the Farallones, let's also keep in mind that this is our moment to cement a culture of safety by continuing to invest in training and equipment that will save lives. I truly wish for the memory of Alan, Marc, Jordan, Alexis and Elmer to be the spark that transforms this community of sailors.

Be safe.
Bryan Chong

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'll be a little critical ...

not that I'm not sympathetic.

He seems to place an emphasis on having the technical materials that are necessary for safety, and he did mention something about having the technical knowledge about knowing when to be concerned about depth.

He didn't mention anything about adjusting the mindset for avoiding trouble. These guys needlessly sailed into the surf zone, possibly out of arrogance regarding their own skills. They were well out of a race and they took an unnecessary risk, in my opinion. Safety devices would have been unnecessary if they followed a safe route around the island, and he doesn't seem to reflect on this (I am sure he does, but he doesn't mention it).

I do agree wholeheartedly with him that every person on board has to think of themselves as a "safety leader". This is a mindset that I have found encouraged in the construction industry by the participants who have the best safety records.

There had to be at least one or two crew members who had the fleeting thought that they didn't belong in the surf zone they were sailing into. If any of those who didn't like what they were seeing had been more vocal, it may have made a difference.

 

[John R]

I don't know about that. He wrote: "Safety leadership isn’t always easy. It takes a willingness to speak up when others don’t. It’s choosing the safety of yourself and your crewmates over pride, appearance, comfort, costs or an engraved silver cup."

Maybe he's thinking about whether he should have spoken up about being too close to the island. Also, don't forget that there are some lawsuits going on right now, and I would imagine he's feeling a little circumspect about what he says.

 

[tommays]

I cant speak for out west but in the Northeast Safety At Sea is mandatory on any race with a high degree of risk for X % of the crew and they now have a junior version to get it in peoples heads from and early age

In my NOT so subtle way I have told a few captains listen I have to show UP for work on Monday when I was not comfortable with what was going down

 

[John R]

It is one thing if you feel in advance that the captain is not safe in some way or another. Then, of course, you can simply refuse to get on board. But what can a crew member do, once already on the boat, if they feel the captain is putting the boat and crew in jeopardy? Suppose you had been crewing on High Speed Chase and you'd felt it was unsafe to go so near the Farallon Island. What would you have done?

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I agree with you ...

I don't know about that. He wrote: "Safety leadership isn’t always easy. It takes a willingness to speak up when others don’t. It’s choosing the safety of yourself and your crewmates over pride, appearance, comfort, costs or an engraved silver cup."

Maybe he's thinking about whether he should have spoken up about being too close to the island. Also, don't forget that there are some lawsuits going on right now, and I would imagine he's feeling a little circumspect about what he says.

You just highlighted probably the most important quote in his open letter. If I was a crew member, I undoubtedly would not have raised my voice, even if I was worried about the situation. That is part of the problem. We have been indoctrinated that the captain is the final authority. There can't be a chorus of voices in dissent. We think of that as anarchy on a boat.

My objection is that this thought does seem to be buried a little, while other discussions about the need for safety equipment seems to be in the forefront, but maybe that is just my impression.

Regarding how he may feel circumspect, it's his open letter, and he is opening the door to whatever comes his way. He even seems to be taking the opportunity to make himself a speaker with some kind of authority on safety. I find that a little discomforting if it isn't done right. He does seem to have the right attitude and respect, though, so I don't mean to sound overly critical.

 

[Gunni]

Crewing a cruise boat or doing a delivery is COMPLETELY different than crewing a race boat. If you have done both this is immediately evident.

Racing is war. You have a commander, a chain-of-command, and certain danger. Success depends on people doing exactly what they are supposed to do without a bunch of yip-yap, and discussion. You do things that are inherently dangerous. There is an element of unsafe activity. You manage risk at a higher level of danger. So when the skipper takes you further out on the edge of the safety envelope you either have intelligence to add succinctly, or you STFU.

In this case I imagine that the crew knew they were pushing it, but were totally surprised by an unanticipated large near-shore wave. Things went to hell real fast. That is racing.

I don't begrudge Mr. Chong his learning experience, or his apparent PTSD, maybe he needs to take another circuit around the country in his vanagon to complete his metamorphosis and regrets. Regarding sailboat racing he has two choices, 1) Stay on the porch, or 2) Step up to command and shoulder the responsibility to a crew and a boat. No one wants a wobbly Jonah aboard their race boat pointing out dangers. You know, like having your mother in law in the back seat!

 

[zeehag]

it was a race around the farallones islands--they will get close. is racing. much different than day sailing or cruising or sane sailing.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

But in this case, by their own admission, they were already WAYYYY out of the race. They had difficulty at the start, got trapped in a current with no wind to help and they ended up at least 2 hours behind the pack.

So, by their own admission, they had already laughed it off as a total loss, yet they still ended up pushing the envelop in the surf zone, by their own description.

We already had that discussion when the incident happened. I know about the personalities in competition. It is a Type A pursuit, but that is still no excuse, as these were still basically recreational racers in a recreational race. When I used to ski race, we all made cavalier statements about our own safety. We said things like ... "break my leg, break my skis, but I'll never set my bindings where I can pre-release on a race course." Of course these were juvenile things to say, (and a pre-release is most often a case of riding the inside ski when the pressure should be on the outside ski - so not only is it juvenile but stupid, too).

The racing is war attitude, when it really isn't, is just an immature emotion, and is what leads recreational racers into trouble, and that's exactly my point. Bryan does seem to be making the point that in this setting, it IS appropriate for everybody to be safety concious and vocal about it.

 

[anchorclanker]

Regardless of the chain of command, or being vocal, I came away with his attitude being "no one is going to protect you or watch out for you better than you can do yourself". Do you need someone to tell you to clip on your harness, put on a life vest, etc., or can you make the adult decision to do it without being told. He seems to saying the crew needs to act more safety conscious at the individual level, so the remaining crew does not put themselves in danger through anothers incompetence.

If racing is war, and your a crewmate, then the crewmate is responsible for himself to a certain degree.

Other than that I guess the word is, be careful who your sailing under. If there is any reason not to trust the skippers actions or competence, dont go aboard.

 

[Gunni]

Not just the skipper, also the crew. A dud crew member can get you hurt, kill morale, and make you a loser. I'm not saying Brian Chong is that, I'm just saying he experienced an horrific shipwreck, stared into the face of death, and is looking for an easy solution. It would be useful to remember that in other recent races, inflatable PFD's and tethers have killed crew who should have reasonably survived.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Gunni, Your example of pfd's and tethers sounds alot like the old argument about seat belts in cars causing some people to drown when they drive into the river. It just doesn't stand up in my world.
Ray

 

[Gunni]

Gunni, Your example of pfd's and tethers sounds alot like the old argument about seat belts in cars causing some people to drown when they drive into the river. It just doesn't stand up in my world.
Ray

My point was that if you think putting on a PFD is going to keep you from drowning you could benefit from the real-world experience of people who did, and drowned. See Rambler, and Wingnuts.

 

[JohnShannon]

I think the issue isn't as clear cut. They were not in the surf zone for the average waves, but a big set came in and suddenly they were in the surf zone.

This is from a report I read some time ago so a little hazy.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

Deciding and being accepted to crew on a serious race boat or more accurately, on a boat who's skipper takes racing seriously, you have to expect decisions will be made that favor racing advantage over seamanship. It's the nature of the beast, the attitude of the sport.

What recreational sailor in their right mind would play chicken with other boats as racers do at the start line, or as in the case of the loss of Uncontrollable Urge in the recent Islands race, cut a lee shore close where the first thing that goes wrong you don't have ample sea room? That race was planned by the organizers with two dangerous lee shores. How about the general reluctance to shorten sail when prudence and conditions dictate? How many racers would be willing to reef during a race regardless of the conditions? I suggest not many, if any.

It's win at all costs, all for the plaque or the trophy, for the bragging rights. Sometimes those costs are high, aren't they? If I were an insurance underwriter, coverage would be suspended during any organized race. You're on your own.

I don't know if it's been reinstated but in the case of the Low Speed Chase incident the Coast Guard found a way to deal with it, they suspended all offshore racing in the area. In my biased opinion (I admit it) the ban was put in place solely because of poor judgement displayed in racing. Notice they didn't ban other types of recreational sailing in the area, just racing. What does that tell you?

Besides, racing? Dude, you're going 5 - 7 knots, get over yourself.

 

[kenn]

Interesting and important story.

For some long-distance racing on Lake Ontario, it's a mandatory that all crew has recently completed the day-long ASA Safety At Sea seminar. I attended one because I was helping some friends prepare for the race. Sure it's just a lake, not the West Coast, but that year the Lake Ontario 300 had weather that pitchpoled a tri and blew out several mains on other boats. So yes, I'm totally on-board with being as serious about safety as with every other aspect of the endeavour.

* * *

I keep thinking that I'd like to get into club racing: something regular, a chance to hone skills, friendly competition and camaraderie... and then I read this account, and Gunni's sketch of what it takes to win, and protests... damn, it sounds like just another dick-swinging chest-thumping testosterone festival. I get enough of that at work, thanks.

We're trying out a new club as social members and they're close enough that i could commit to a racing schedule, but if it's just a bunch of red-faced shouters thinking they're all Dennis Conner, I think I'll reserve my free evenings for sunset sails and long, clean reaches.

 

[Old Skool Neil]

I hear ya Kenn,

Determining racing was not for me came from crewing on a boat a while back rather than the experiences of others. Too many times I found myself enjoying a cold brewski at the club bar while the skippers were at the committee table arguing their protests after the race.

Racing is war. You have a commander, a chain-of-command, and certain danger. Success depends on people doing exactly what they are supposed to do without a bunch of yip-yap, and discussion. You do things that are inherently dangerous. There is an element of unsafe activity. You manage risk at a higher level of danger. So when the skipper takes you further out on the edge of the safety envelope you either have intelligence to add succinctly, or you STFU.

I think this sums it up pretty well. Problem is, it's diametrically opposed to why I sail. I'm out there for relaxation and enjoyment and for that of my guests. I'm in touch with the elements, in harmony with the sea and wind. It's almost spiritual. Nope, the racing mentality is not for me. I experienced it first hand and made the choice.

Racing is war. Yep, well said.

Just thought of another racing related story and it had nothing to do with being on the water but more about the mindset.

In the 80's I built a cruising boat in a yard in Newport Beach. My rented space was in the back corner of the yard. At one point a big time custom aluminum race boat came in the yard, something like 70' LOA and took a space adjacent and parallel to the drive through the middle. It had a professional crew all of whom were pressed into work on whatever projects were slated. One weekend day they were building scaffolding, laying out 2x4's across the drive and nailing the supports together. I had an errand to run so I drove my truck up to where the drive was blocked, got out and asked if they could please make an adjustment so I could get by. Well, the ramrod came down from his perch screaming his head off at me that I was not to interrupt his professional crew for anything and I could damn well wait until they were through.

OK I thought, you have your needs and I have mine. I got back in my truck, shifted her into gear and drove right over anything inanimate in the way. Problem solved. We had no more issue with a blocked drive after that.

 

[LuzSD]

Bringing this back to Bryan's reflections a year later, I think it was a thoughtful, well written sharing of how loosing his friends affected him and what his overall take-ways are at this point. If you read his account soon after the accident, you would recall his discussion about what he thinks saved HIS life, and part of those were equipment, part was being in good enough shape, others were almost luck .... he wears knee and ankle protection being foredeck, which saved him from the rocks shape edges to a degree.

Whether one races or not, his points are good ones regarding speaking up and asking questions, even adamantly opposing a bad decision if it could be life threatening. Its good to be reminded of the importance of being mindful, all the time....... Casually taking friends out, racing others when there is a horn at the finish or not cause I don't believe any of you that say you don't 'race' ever...... on the most wonderful of sails ...if another boat is approaching we are checking our sails, straightening up a bit, and don't feel good about it if that boat passes us. We discuss what we could have done or what he might be doing to get that edge. I don't know anyone who doesn't 'race' against the others around us!

Kenn, I hope you do 'race' in the beer cans at your new club ... And I hope they race with good fun in mind and not protesting! I think (hope) most yacht clubs adhere to a version of this, from Latitude 38:

The Beer Can Ten Commandments
1) Thou shalt not take anything other than safety too seriously. If you can only remember one commandment, this is the one. Relax, have fun, and keep it light. Late to the start? So what. Over early? Big deal. No instructions? Improvise. Too windy? Quit. Not enough wind? Break out the beer. The point is to have fun, but stay safe. Like the ad says, "Safe boating is no accident." 2) Thou shalt honor the racing rules if thou knowest them. The US Sailing 2009-2012 Racing Rules, unless specifically stated elsewhere in the Sailing Instructions, is the current rules bible. Few sailors we know have actually studied it cover to cover: it's about as interesting as reading tax code or the phone book. For beer can racing, just remember some of the biggies (port tack boats shall avoid starboard ones; windward boats shall avoid leeward ones; and outside boats shall give room at the mark). Stay out of the way of bigger boats, pay your insurance premiums and keep a low profile unless you're sure you know what you're doing. Like most things, it boils down to common sense.
3) Thou shalt not run out of beer. Beer (a.k.a., brewskis, chill pills, thought cylinders) is the beverage that lends its name to 'beer can' racing; obviously, you don't want to run out of the frothy nectar. Of course, you can drink whatever you want out there, but there's a reason these things aren't called milk bottle races, Coca-Cola can races, hot chocolate races or something else. Just why beer is so closely associated with this kind of racing escapes us at the moment, but it's a tradition we're happy to go along with.
4) Thou shalt not covet thy competitor's boat, sails, equipment, crew or PHRF rating. No excuses or whining; if you're lucky enough to have a sailboat, just go use it! You don't need the latest in zircon-encrusted widgetry or unobtanium sailcloth to have a great time out on the water with your friends. Even if your boat's a heaving pig, make modest goals and work toward improving on them from week to week. Or don't - it's only beer can racing.
5) Thou shalt not amp out. No screaming, swearing, or overly aggressive tactics. Save that stuff for the office or, if you must, for Saturday's 'real' race. If you lose it in a Friday nighter, you're going to run out of crew - not to mention friends - in a big hurry. Downing a quick chill pill on the way to the starting line has been medically proven to have a calming influence on the nerves.
6) Thou shalt not protest thy neighbor. This is extremely tacky at this level of competition and should be avoided at all costs. Perhaps it's justifiable if one's boat is damaged and blame needs to be established, but on the whole, tossing a red flag is the height of bad taste in something as relatively inconsequential as a beer canner. Besides proving that you're unclear on the concept of beer can racing, it screws up everybody's evening, including yours. Don't do it - it's bad karma.
7) Thou shalt not mess up thy boat. Everybody knows some hardcore weekend warrior who ripped his sails up in a Friday night race and had to sit out the champion-ship race on Saturday. The point is that it's not worth risking your boat and gear in such casual competition: like the song says, you got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em. Avoid other boats at all costs, not to mention buoys and other hard objects. If you have the luxury of two sets of sails, use the old ones.
8) Thou shalt always go to the yacht club afterwards. Part of the gestalt of beer can races is bellying up to the yacht club bar after the race. Etiquette demands that you congratulate the winners, as well as buy a round of drinks for your crew. Besides, the bar is a logical place to see old friends and make new ones. However, when meeting new sailors, avoid the gung-ho, overly serious types who rehash the evening in such gory detail that the post mortem (yawn) takes longer than the race. As much as we enjoy a quick romp around the cans, there's more to life.
9) Thou shalt bring thy spouse, kids, friends and whoever else wants to go. Twilight races are great forums for introducing new folks to sailing, such as your neighbors, out-of-town visitors, co-workers or maybe even the family dog. Always bring your significant other along, too - coed crews are happy crews. And don't just make the newcomers watch - give them a job on the boat. Get everyone involved.
10) Thou shalt not worry; thou shalt be happy. Leave the cell phone in the car, bring the ghetto blaster. Lighten up, it's not the Big Boat Series. Have fun, and we'll see you out there!

 

[Old Skool Neil]

I see your (and Bryan's) points Luz, especially about speaking up but take a look at Gunni's posts, especially post #7. All the safety equipment in the world won't overcome that mindset. Sure sailors are better off with the equipment than without it and I see no downside to safety training but if it's safety you're after where does the decision making come into the mix? Prudent decisions based on sound seamanship tend to avoid the crises where the equipment is needed. It's the reason I mentioned the Coast Guard's decision to shut down racing in the area of this boat's incident. Even with Bryan's analysis and recommendations after the experience, what was the reasoning for the Coast Guard's decision? We know the reason.

Should crew have input? It's their lives on the line so why shouldn't they? Will their input be respected? Really? Gunni's post #7 looms large again.

Kenn, I hope you do 'race' in the beer cans at your new club ... And I hope they race with good fun in mind and not protesting!

I hope he does too and forms his opinions from first hand experiences rather than the stories here. Maybe crew on a boat or two for the first season to see how that club's members conduct themselves. Who knows, they may be the best fun loving bunch in the world.

Finally,

cause I don't believe any of you that say you don't 'race' ever...... on the most wonderful of sails ...if another boat is approaching we are checking our sails, straightening up a bit, and don't feel good about it if that boat passes us.

I gotta tell ya, maybe I'm an oddball but that's not the case with me. They approach and pass, fine with me. Doesn't bother me in the least. I don't measure myself by the abilities of others and I don't feel a need to show them what I can do. I know who I am and that's plenty good enough for me.

I'm not suggesting there's even one other sailor out there or on this forum who feels the same way but that's how it is with me. Just me.

I like those commandments. Words to live by.

 

[LuzSD]

OSN, yeah, I guessed that you would be one that would not have the 'race ya" instinct . We don't so much have that in Dana Point cause we are so spread out. In SD bay, we spent most of our time inside the harbor and we could rarely head toward the bridge, realize we are on the same tack with another boat and not 'sort of race them'... to the point that Art would sometimes get frustrated with my driving and suggest we switch so he could be in control (ha ha, he probably would have had MORE control staying with jib and main!!! Anyway, I understand that racing is not for everyone, that's perfectly fine with me.