Survival course done and dusted for Velux 5 Oceans skippers

Ten days to go to the start of the VELUX 5 OCEANS, the skippers and their teams are working on final preparations.

The eight skippers who are taking part in the original around the world solo race have just finished a survival and security course given by CEPIM in Bilbao. The French sailor Yves le Blevec, with the firesafety expert Henry Monet tried to familiarize the skippers with the reflexes they should have in an emergency. Some of these automatic responses may be crucial in their survival at the sea.

First the skippers first had to get their survival suits. Once in the water with their suits on, a outfit that covers the body from head to toe, the skippers realised how hard any movement could be. The survival suit allows them to stay dry and warm but also to float. Henry Monet who is very experienced in this kind of course explains, “There is a strong bouyancy which means something as easy as going under the water is very difficult.”

In a jovial atmosphere, all the skippers worked on the SMDSM which is the worldwide system for distress and safety at sea. Swimming is not even easy as the skippers have to stay on their back and swim backwards. After passing under a pontoon, and then under a boat, grabbing the rudder, they had to inflate a liferaft. Once all of the skippers were onboard, they had to practice putting the liferaft upside down. And even the most experienced like Bernard Stamm, the Swiss winner of the previous race, appreciated the exercise.

“It allows us to practice the sorts of things that we have in the back of our mind but that we never do. It is a really good way to create reflexes that we wouldn’t have without this kind of preparation. It is even funny to do it in conditions like today but we still hope we wouldn’t have to face it on our own. Trying to turn the liferaft upside down with seven other guys was not even easy, so I prefer not to think about what it would be like on my own.”

Some of them never had to do it before and some simply wish they will not have to do it again. Mike Golding, is one of them.

“I capsized in 1989 during the Round Britain race while I was racing on a trimaran. I really wish I wouldn’t have to experiment the liferaft again. It is still quite funny to do it with the other skippers like today and good to test our suits, and just to try to be comfortable in the water!” The organisers confirmed that all eight skippers who are about to sail solo around the world have passed the test.

“We have been pleasantly surprised by how the guys dealt with the situation. Being a good skipper doesn’t mean you are good in the water. Unfortunately it doesn’t come together and we thought that they all seemed to be comfy in the water.”

After the at sea exercises, the skippers had to go though all the safety equipment, particularly for pyrotechnics. After lighting flares in Bilbao Porto Deportivo, they also had to face a real fire. Mike Golding, formerly a fireman, passed the exam with flying colours!