Safety Seminars for Hong Kong Ocean racers

by Keyy Gibson on 21 Feb 2001 The RHKYC is following RORC's advice in helping to ensure the San Fernando Race is as safe as humanely possible. Chief Scrutineer Tony Scott commented 'Whilst the RHKYC is looking to be rigourous in its checking of safety compliance, we will also be doing all we can to assist those competing, to meet the safety requirements'.

The 480 nm San Fernando Race is a Category 1 race as defined in the Offshore Racing Council's Special Regulations, which were updated in January 2001 and can be found in RORC's 2001 Programme. The San Fernando Notice of Race is published gives some amendments to these Regulations, whilst also drawing to the attention of competitors the sections of the Regulations which changed in January 2001.

Particular attention is being given to the Regulation's Section 6 which deals specifically with crew training and a reqirement that a minimum of 30% of the crew must have undergone theoretical and practical training within the last 5 years. The Club is organising saftey seminars a couple of nights in March to assist those in Hong Kong with theoretical training in a number of topics that are part of the requirements. Chairman Vic Locke thinks the timing of the arrival of Clark O'Neill to Hong Kong couldn't have been better. 'Clark is an ex-US Naval Academy Instructor and is qualified to certify to a very high level of recognition. We have asked Clark to assist in assisting boats and crew before the race' Locke reported.

Entries are now coming in to the Club's Sailing Office and Sailing Manager Kelly Gilkison is hopeful that the number of enquiries she has received from not only Hong Kong based skippers but also from Asia and Europe will turn into more entries. A French crew are currently in charter negotiations with a Hong Kong owner and it looks likely we will be seeing them on the start line together with an anticipated 40 other competitors.

Frank Pong's Jelik is an early entrant as is new boat Rhythm Stick, an X-442 owned by Robert Knight who last time competed on his other yacht Bear Necessity. Andy Soriano's 80' Swan Malagaya and Ray Ordovesa's well campaigned Karakoa are also intended entrants as well as Neil Pryde on Hi Fidelity.

The race starts in Hong Kong's Junk Bay at midday on Thursday 12th April 2001. With the Times-Clipper fleet arriving a couple of weeks before the start , the parties look set to start early! The Club has its own website dedicated to the race which keeps competitors well informed on what's happening: www.sanfernandorace.com Details of safety and Clark O'Neil's contact details are also listed.

Further information contact Kelly Gilkison, Sailing Manager, RHKYC
Tel: (852) 2239 032 Fax: (852) 2239 0364 e-mail: kgilkison@rhkyc.org.hk