2013 Islands Race on 8 March 2013
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United States Sailing Association Independent Review Panel Inquiry into the Fatal Accident Involving Uncontrollable Urge During the 2013 Islands Race on 8 March 2013 Written By: John Jourdane, Betty Sherman, Bill Stump, and Dave Ullman Technical Support: Chuck Hawley, Dr. Stephen Shea, and Jim Wildey Special thanks to: Bouyweather for the weather report 31 August 2013 US Sailing 2013 Islands Race Panel Report of Uncontrollable Urge Fatal Accident Page 1 Table of Contents US Sailing Overview: ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Objective: ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Synopsis: ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Factual Information: ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 Panel Findings: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Recommendations: ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Analysis: ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Communication Issues: ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 Other Race Boats Offering Assistance: ............................................................................................................................. 11 Rudder Issues: ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Safety Gear Issues: ............................................................................................................................................................ 13 Anchors: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Life Raft: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 14 Auto inflating Safety Harnesses: ................................................................................................................................... 14 Flares: ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Physical State of Crew: .................................................................................................................................................. 15 Background Information: .................................................................................................................................................. 16 The Crew: ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Columbia 32C Specifications: ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Race Management: ........................................................................................................................................................... 18 Responses from other Competitors: ................................................................................................................................. 20 Findings by Dr. Stephen Shea, M.D.: ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Appendix 1: Members of US Sailing Independent Inquiry Panel 2013 Islands Race ............................................................ 23 Appendix 2: Notice of Race: .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Appendix 3: Sailing Instructions: ........................................................................................................................................... 27 Appendix 4: USCG Event Permits: ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Appendix 5: Weather Data: .................................................................................................................................................. 36 31 August 2013 US Sailing 2013 Islands Race Panel Report of Uncontrollable Urge Fatal Accident Page 2 Appendix 6: Uncontrollable Urge Safety Equipment: ........................................................................................................... 68 Appendix 7: Uncontrollable Urge chart plots: ...................................................................................................................... 71 Appendix 8: Photos of Uncontrollable Urge on San Clemente Island: ................................................................................. 77 Appendix 9: Crew Interviews: ............................................................................................................................................... 81 Appendix 10: Designer Interview ........................................................................................................................................ 100 Appendix 11: John Jourdane’s Sydney-Hobart Rescue Report ........................................................................................... 102 Appendix 12: Disposition of the Crew’s Life Jackets and Tethers ....................................................................................... 104 Appendix 13: USCG Report ................................................................................................................................................. 104 Appendix 14: Survey Results ............................................................................................................................................... 113 Appendix 15: Interview with Phillip Infelise, Owner/Skipper of Mile High Klub ................................................................ 120 31 August 2013 US Sailing 2013 Islands Race Panel Report of Uncontrollable Urge Fatal Accident Page 3 US Sailing Independent Review Panel – 2013 Islands Race Accident US Sailing Overview: US Sailing is the national organizing body for the sport of sailing and is the overall authority for sanctioning sailboat races in the United States. US Sailing follows established policies of reviewing races involving causalities and/or fatalities that commenced with the 1979 Fastnet Race Report in Great Britain. The authorities for the 1988 Sydney Hobart Race Report in Australia and the 2009 Flinders Islet Race Report (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) continued this effort. In 2011 US Sailing Independent Panels reviewed three accidents beginning with a fatal accident in the Severn River (Severn Sailing Association); the fatal accident in the Chicago to Mackinac Race (WingNuts) and the keel failure and capsize in the Fastnet Race (Rambler 100). Accidents reviewed in 2012 included the fatal accident in the Fully Crewed Farallones Race (Low Speed Chase) and the fatal accident in the Newport to Ensenada Race (Aegean). The reviews offer insight for race organizers and sailors of the facts involved in each of these events and offer suggestions to avoid and/or mitigate similar outcomes. In 2013 US Sailing appointed a panel to review the fatal accident that happened during the 2013 Islands Race. Objective: This report was created as a result of an accident that occurred during the 2013 Islands Race when the vessel, Uncontrollable Urge, lost her rudder and drifted onto the shore of San Clemente Island resulting in the loss of one life. The objective of this report is to determine the facts pertaining to the accident and identify recommendations to reduce the chance of future similar tragedies. This report is not intended to be used in any judicial proceedings whose purpose is to attribute or apportion liability or blame. The panel members who contributed to this investigation and report are listed in Appendix 1. Synopsis: During the 2013 Islands Race, Uncontrollable Urge, a Columbia Carbon 32 sailboat, lost its rudder, and drifted onto San Clemente Island 2 ½ hours later. One crew member was drowned when the drifting boat was rolled and the crew was forced to abandon the vessel. The United States Coast Guard and other boats participating in the race offered assistance, but were initially told by Uncontrollable Urge that assistance was not needed. This report addresses issues regarding rudder failures, communication, other boats offering assistance, and safety gear. Factual