One Year Later: an open letter from Bryan Chong
- Thread starter LuzSD
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Luz,
I wanted to acknowledge the sort of racing that is the topic of this thread is a little more hardcore than the mid week beer can variety. Notice the three California racing tragedies this past year (Low Speed Chase, Aegean and Uncontrollable Urge) were all offshore and involved rocky islands at their conclusion. However, my personal experience WAS at the beer can level. You never know, it takes all kinds.
For me it was too much hollering, too much anger, just too much.
I wanted to acknowledge the sort of racing that is the topic of this thread is a little more hardcore than the mid week beer can variety. Notice the three California racing tragedies this past year (Low Speed Chase, Aegean and Uncontrollable Urge) were all offshore and involved rocky islands at their conclusion. However, my personal experience WAS at the beer can level. You never know, it takes all kinds.
For me it was too much hollering, too much anger, just too much.
Unnecessary element of risk ...
I don't think the point of this thread is to discuss the personalities involved in sailboat racing. The Farallones event is for experienced racers anyway, so it doesn't really involve those who are unsure of their attitude for racing. You can pretty much assume that everybody involved has similar goals, experiences and capabilities, so the possibility that there will be sailors that are weak-kneed relative to their crew-mates is not really the issue.
What is at issue is the reason for preserving an unnecessary element of risk in a sailing race. It sounds easy to organize a race that is essentially as basic as "around the islands and back". Apparently, it has been done for decades without a fatality that resulted from a boat actually running into the island. But why should there be a reward for cutting the margin of safety too thin? Essentially, the layout provides a reward (less distance, less time) for ignoring safety. A less-skilled crew may be encouraged to make amends for their slower pace by taking a more direct line, a far riskier line, around the island.
Probably, the temporary ban on this particular race format was to re-think the format altogether. It does seem to me that it would be logical to place a marker or markers well-outside any danger zones to prevent gung-ho captains from sailing their crew into the surf zone and to make the course around the island uniform for all boats to eliminate that particular aspect of risk which probably doesn't belong in the race in the first place.
Aside from that, I don't think that there is any downside to a shift in attitude among the crew of a sailboat from the bad practice of blindly following their captain into a life-threatening situation. In construction, the prevailing theory for safety is that safety is everybody's business and you look out for yourself and your crew-mates. You don't depend on the foreman or the superintendant to look out for your safety. And it is definetly a change in attitude that impacts safety records as much or more so than the availability of safety equipment.
I don't think the point of this thread is to discuss the personalities involved in sailboat racing. The Farallones event is for experienced racers anyway, so it doesn't really involve those who are unsure of their attitude for racing. You can pretty much assume that everybody involved has similar goals, experiences and capabilities, so the possibility that there will be sailors that are weak-kneed relative to their crew-mates is not really the issue.
What is at issue is the reason for preserving an unnecessary element of risk in a sailing race. It sounds easy to organize a race that is essentially as basic as "around the islands and back". Apparently, it has been done for decades without a fatality that resulted from a boat actually running into the island. But why should there be a reward for cutting the margin of safety too thin? Essentially, the layout provides a reward (less distance, less time) for ignoring safety. A less-skilled crew may be encouraged to make amends for their slower pace by taking a more direct line, a far riskier line, around the island.
Probably, the temporary ban on this particular race format was to re-think the format altogether. It does seem to me that it would be logical to place a marker or markers well-outside any danger zones to prevent gung-ho captains from sailing their crew into the surf zone and to make the course around the island uniform for all boats to eliminate that particular aspect of risk which probably doesn't belong in the race in the first place.
Aside from that, I don't think that there is any downside to a shift in attitude among the crew of a sailboat from the bad practice of blindly following their captain into a life-threatening situation. In construction, the prevailing theory for safety is that safety is everybody's business and you look out for yourself and your crew-mates. You don't depend on the foreman or the superintendant to look out for your safety. And it is definetly a change in attitude that impacts safety records as much or more so than the availability of safety equipment.
Tjorn Runt: We use a standoff to keep boats away from rocks, they send them through a rock strewn passage. See below - esp. 1:35
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1s4qoYKCqM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1s4qoYKCqM
Yes Scott, the point of this thread is safety and racing but I tried to make the case that safety equipment does not make up for poor decisions in terms of sound seamanship and I also have a difficult time separating poor seamanship decisions from the personalities involved.
I think it was you who made the very astute observation that Low Speed Chase was well out of the race yet somehow still felt the need to cut the island dangerously close resulting in tragedy. If that decision didn't come out of mindset, attitude and personality, then where? Certainly not prudent seamanship.
I don't think focusing on equipment without discussing all the factors that led up to the tragedy is entirely useful.
I think it was you who made the very astute observation that Low Speed Chase was well out of the race yet somehow still felt the need to cut the island dangerously close resulting in tragedy. If that decision didn't come out of mindset, attitude and personality, then where? Certainly not prudent seamanship.
I don't think focusing on equipment without discussing all the factors that led up to the tragedy is entirely useful.
- Dec 30, 2009
- 680
It seems to me a short 2 weeks ago the 2 Brians were being ripped a new as*hole for taking chances and trying sailing on and unsafe boat, and wasting the time of the coasties...R u kidding , compared to these guys, B&B were poster boys for safety...I don,t know about u guys, but when I hear waves breakin on rocks, I screwed up. They hit a frigging island.I think to sail a line this close to rocks and in breaking surf is just too risky. Its tragic, and I fell a real loss for those who died..As far as speaking up, I, I myself want that guy to yell, look out in my car, or I think we may run aground here, If you are driving a car, boat, or whatever u have responsibility to those with you, and around you. This is plain common sense...Red
I've sort of iterated this point of view before, but no clown is going to hurt me on a boat. I move boats fairly regularly, and with the owner along, go as navigator/chief engineer. I'll keep most of my opinions to myself about racing slow boats, but I have also seen these jackasses in action. To start with, the mouth-breather that screamed at me on a boat is subject to remember the incident for a very long time. And if the owner/helmsman, etc. started steering the boat onto the rocks or worse, I'm going to TAKE OVER HIS BOAT! By force if necessary. I realize that this is very serious business, a bona-fide mutiny if you will, but I sure hate that.
I would a LOT rather sit in a jail cell telling about the event,
as opposed to some teary eyed tale on the internet about how "things went wrong"...
I would a LOT rather sit in a jail cell telling about the event,
as opposed to some teary eyed tale on the internet about how "things went wrong"...
I thought Brian's letter brought out important issues. I agree that we are all responsible for safety. How we implement this is crucial.
Is racing war? No. Not even close. Racing is a dynamic activity where we do push the limits, but using tactics and strategy. One important condition on a successful racer is communication. Sail trim, relative positions, wind shifts etc, etc, etc. Talking is focused and precise, but it's ongoing. Safety is one of those topics (or should be!).
Clubs all along the West Coast are having conversations about safety, reviewing procedures and improving practices. It's very appropriate that skippers do the same. As P.R.O. (principal race officer) of the spring series at my club, I reminded this to the skippers at the pre-race meeting yesterday. One hand for the ship, keep situational awareness, follow the rules, and if anyone sees something wrong, say something.
Racing is fun. Find a boat that races well and has the same level of competitiveness that you do. Most club racers are friends, and have a good time, and take safety seriously. Good communication is good racing, both in the boat and between boats.
Cruising is fun. I often tell my guests to speak up if they see something that looks wrong. Often it is just the way a boat works (like it heals over when the wind blows!). Sometimes it's something that I didn't see and I really appreciate it when they bring it to my attention. I bought a new boat a few years ago. My Dad came down to see it (he was 90 years old at the time). He walked along the dock and then we helped him into the cockpit. He smiled at me and said, "Nice boat, Son. Did you notice that you are missing a cotter pin on your lower shroud turnbuckle?"
Sailing is fun. It's a whole lot more fun when nobody gets hurt.
Is racing war? No. Not even close. Racing is a dynamic activity where we do push the limits, but using tactics and strategy. One important condition on a successful racer is communication. Sail trim, relative positions, wind shifts etc, etc, etc. Talking is focused and precise, but it's ongoing. Safety is one of those topics (or should be!).
Clubs all along the West Coast are having conversations about safety, reviewing procedures and improving practices. It's very appropriate that skippers do the same. As P.R.O. (principal race officer) of the spring series at my club, I reminded this to the skippers at the pre-race meeting yesterday. One hand for the ship, keep situational awareness, follow the rules, and if anyone sees something wrong, say something.
Racing is fun. Find a boat that races well and has the same level of competitiveness that you do. Most club racers are friends, and have a good time, and take safety seriously. Good communication is good racing, both in the boat and between boats.
Cruising is fun. I often tell my guests to speak up if they see something that looks wrong. Often it is just the way a boat works (like it heals over when the wind blows!). Sometimes it's something that I didn't see and I really appreciate it when they bring it to my attention. I bought a new boat a few years ago. My Dad came down to see it (he was 90 years old at the time). He walked along the dock and then we helped him into the cockpit. He smiled at me and said, "Nice boat, Son. Did you notice that you are missing a cotter pin on your lower shroud turnbuckle?"
Sailing is fun. It's a whole lot more fun when nobody gets hurt.
Chris directly answered my original question. What would others do in both a race and a non-race situation if you thought the captain was cutting corners on safety?
During the race, there is very little you can do as a crew member. -too many cooks in the kitchen. Now if you are a 'tack-tishion ' (sp?) you have some say, but its still the owner or captain that makes decisions. if you don't like the decisions, you don't sail with that skipper. -next time. I've been aboard race boats when skipper did some risky stuff. -that's racing. I'm surprised they don't change that race to round a few buoys. aren't there some buoys out there in deep water?
Oh, I'm sure some dockside race committee spokesperson gave all the Farallon racers a stern safety lecture...and then they went a racing in the manner of their choice. Racing IS war. Ask the winners. The difference is you get to choose your CO dockside. I have seen skippers leave a race, and return to the dock to drop a problem-child crew member. A reputation quickly proceeds problem crew members. Nobody wants a back seat driver, save the desperate.
Gunni, was there prize money involved in this race? if not, its just bragging rights. Sure we all want to win, but at the end of the day, most of us have another life outside of sailing. after all its for 20 dollar trophy's, right?
OSN, my apologies, I am not a good one about staying on topic... Kenn was talking about Beer Can races and getting discouraged so I followed that part of this thread and ended up there for a while. Your are correct that the purpose of my post was to share what Bryan wrote.
As interesting as everyone's opinions of his letter were, it was just one guys take on a tragedy that hit him very personally and deeply. His thoughts and take aways were interesting to me and evidently others too. There are so many degrees of 'racing' and that's what makes it interesting.
If we keep in mind that there were so many deaths in the past couple years, and that it seemed those sailors did not realize the danger they were in until way too late, it might keep us all a little more aware. Other than that, I think it was just an interesting read of one man's perspective.
Prize money? I've never met a big boat racing skipper that cared about the prize money. Bragging rights are everything.
I think...........that is part of my racing problem. At the end of the day, (and I have said this for YEARS), who CARES! My neighbors, friends, (OK, the friend part just sounded good), whoever, simply could not give a tinkers damn that I even OWN a boat; much less what I do/did with it. It's the same mentality of; the kid next door loves his surfboard. Rides it all over town strapped to the top of his Bug. When he starts telling me of the big breakers he's rode, etc, etc, etc, and he has no idea that I could not care less if great white sharks eat his surfing board.
Who's to brag to? And who cares? Hell, you can't PAY the public to sit and watch a sailboat race.
WE love it. I sure do. But to take a bonehead chance for bragging rights?
There is some sort of testosterone fueled, and utterly insane idea going on that makes a skipper think that ANYBODY cares.
Now, I sort of like that Beer-Can deal. First I've ever seen of those rules. IF, if a race can truly be done like that, why not? Sounds like fun. As it should be.
Race. Race the boat. Have fun. Quit killing people due to some mental deficiencies..
crazy people...
Who's to brag to? And who cares? Hell, you can't PAY the public to sit and watch a sailboat race.
WE love it. I sure do. But to take a bonehead chance for bragging rights?
There is some sort of testosterone fueled, and utterly insane idea going on that makes a skipper think that ANYBODY cares.
Now, I sort of like that Beer-Can deal. First I've ever seen of those rules. IF, if a race can truly be done like that, why not? Sounds like fun. As it should be.
Race. Race the boat. Have fun. Quit killing people due to some mental deficiencies..
crazy people...
I'm glad Bryan Chong survived, glad that he is introspective of the tragedy, glad he's willing to share his feelings. If he continues in sailing and someday skippers his own boat I expect that he'll have learned from this experience, that he'll make decisions that favor safety over corrected time.
We can all learn from these tragedies, especially racers where choices of strategy and safety are sometimes in conflict.
It's been a tough year for California racing.
We can all learn from these tragedies, especially racers where choices of strategy and safety are sometimes in conflict.
It's been a tough year for California racing.
Mr. Bill, prize money would never be the factor. There could never be enough prize money to cover the expense of racing to begin with! Besides, these guys lost at least 2 hours at the start and were never even in the race. They laughed it off as a total loss, but (I think) underneath they were peeved by their position, and, as racers always do, they secretly (or not so secretly) want to show everybody how much they can gain back.
But the question I have is why should there be this element of risk in the race? It's not a skill-based risk. It's seems to be based more on luck (we'll slip thru here and hope there aren't any big wave sets). In fact it encourages less-skilled racers who are behind to take a foolish risk.
Why shouldn't there be a marked course around the islands that guarantees that all racers follow the same course within boundaries? That takes out the element of foolishness, entirely.
Wayyy back in the old days, there used to be downhill ski races that were basically top to bottom, 'pick your own line'. These weren't sanctioned ski races and "serious" competitions have marked courses instead. So there aren't any racers that are tempted to ski off a cliff in order to take the faster line. There are still skill-based risks in choosing the line thru the course, and nobody accuses any of the racers for being sissies if they don't ski off a cliff. I'm being facetious, but maybe it illustrates the point.
Here are a few amusing articles from the ski-racing world. http://www.friendsoftuckerman.org/press-release-american-inferno.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/s...ng-size-of-event-hasnt-spoiled-its-charm.html
Maybe the Farallones race is similar to the Inferno races of old. Also, a consideration ... some people have just so much money that they have lost all concern for the monetary damage to their expensive boats. This bravado and cavalier attitude carries over into their lack of concern for the human cost. I'm not saying that they hurt any less for their tragedies, but I don't get all choked up for some rich brats who get themselves into trouble while pursuing their ultra-extravegant hobbies. I think it is no accident that these types of incidents are on the rise. For decades, nobody ran into the shore during this race or similar races because of foolishness, possibly because the risk of boat and humans was more meaningful to the older generation. I think it is connected that the lack of concern over the cost of replacing boats and equipment corresponds with a similar lack of concern for human safety. When the tragedy happens, the tears begin to flow, but the concern is a little late at that point, isn't it?
I felt just a tinge of resentment towards Brian based on his opening remarks. When life gets rough, it sure would be nice to go on vacation for a year to clear our heads and re-establish our priorities. I feel a little resentful for the luxury, when it is presented as a crucial element of the 'healing'. Most of us "suck-it-up" when confronted with our tragedies while we have to continue to do our jobs and put food on the table for our families.
But the question I have is why should there be this element of risk in the race? It's not a skill-based risk. It's seems to be based more on luck (we'll slip thru here and hope there aren't any big wave sets). In fact it encourages less-skilled racers who are behind to take a foolish risk.
Why shouldn't there be a marked course around the islands that guarantees that all racers follow the same course within boundaries? That takes out the element of foolishness, entirely.
Wayyy back in the old days, there used to be downhill ski races that were basically top to bottom, 'pick your own line'. These weren't sanctioned ski races and "serious" competitions have marked courses instead. So there aren't any racers that are tempted to ski off a cliff in order to take the faster line. There are still skill-based risks in choosing the line thru the course, and nobody accuses any of the racers for being sissies if they don't ski off a cliff. I'm being facetious, but maybe it illustrates the point.
Here are a few amusing articles from the ski-racing world. http://www.friendsoftuckerman.org/press-release-american-inferno.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/s...ng-size-of-event-hasnt-spoiled-its-charm.html
Maybe the Farallones race is similar to the Inferno races of old. Also, a consideration ... some people have just so much money that they have lost all concern for the monetary damage to their expensive boats. This bravado and cavalier attitude carries over into their lack of concern for the human cost. I'm not saying that they hurt any less for their tragedies, but I don't get all choked up for some rich brats who get themselves into trouble while pursuing their ultra-extravegant hobbies. I think it is no accident that these types of incidents are on the rise. For decades, nobody ran into the shore during this race or similar races because of foolishness, possibly because the risk of boat and humans was more meaningful to the older generation. I think it is connected that the lack of concern over the cost of replacing boats and equipment corresponds with a similar lack of concern for human safety. When the tragedy happens, the tears begin to flow, but the concern is a little late at that point, isn't it?
I felt just a tinge of resentment towards Brian based on his opening remarks. When life gets rough, it sure would be nice to go on vacation for a year to clear our heads and re-establish our priorities. I feel a little resentful for the luxury, when it is presented as a crucial element of the 'healing'. Most of us "suck-it-up" when confronted with our tragedies while we have to continue to do our jobs and put food on the table for our families.
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