Proceedings of the Workshop on Safety of Ocean Racing Yachts, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, March 28, 1999, Baird Publications Ltd, ISBN: 0-7334-0582-7 (summary)

P1999-1

Proceedings of the Workshop on

Safety o f Ocean Racing Yachts

The University of New South Wales

Sydney, N S W 2052, Australia

Sunday, March 28, 1999

Organized by the

School of Mechanical and

Manufacturing Engineering

(Naval Architecture Course)

in Association with

The Royal Institution of Naval Architects

(Australian Division)

and supported by the

Institute of Marine Engineers

(Sydney Branch)

and

Baird Publications Pty Ltd

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ISBN: O 7334 0582 7 Copyright © March 1999

The University of New South Wales

Additional copies of these proceedings can be piuchased by contactiag one of the persons below. The cost is §20 plus S5 postage within Austraha and New Zealand ($10 postage to other countries).

Assoc. Prof. L.J. Doctors and M r P J . Hehnore Naval Architecture Course

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering The Universitj- of New South Wales

Preface

The recent Sydney to Hobart yacht race in December 1998 has led to considerable debate i n both the yachtiag community and the general public in Australia. The loss of six lives, which resulted f r o m the ferocious ocean storms, has caused many concerned persons to question a number of aspects of this event. I n many ways, the nightmares of the well documented Fastnet race in England in August, 1979, have been relived and one might wonder i f any lessons have been learnt during the intervening period.

From the perspective of UNS W and R I N A , the objectives of the workshop include:

9 Provide leadership on a subject of some importance;

• Provide a forum for the exchange of relevant ideas; and • Make a contribution to maritime safety.

La this seminar, we will examine the various factors that might lie behind the recent tragedies. Do we need to improve the design of the yachts themselves i n order to enhance their survivability i n rough weather? Should the yachtspersons be required to undergo specific training and certification before being permitted to participate in such an ocean race? Should the yachts be equipped with better position-locating devices? Should we raise our ability to forecast the likely weather patterns? Should the maritime safety authorities and the ship-classification societies play an expanded role?

The Naval Architecture Course at The University of New South Wales is pleased to

wel-come to the campus professional naval architects, yacht sailors, and other interested persons in order to participate i n a discussion of this challenging subject at an aU-day seminar, which is being held i n conjimction with the jubilee celebrations of UNSW and the reunion of graduates of the School.

We woidd like to take this opportuiuty to express our gratitude to the many sources of assistance, without which the plaiming of this event would not have proceeded so efficiently and smoothly. The main organizations which assisted with the matter of publicity included the yachting associations i n each of the states of Australia, yachting magazines, the daily press, and television and radio stations. The considerable support of the committee members of The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (Australian Division) and the Naval Architecture Course at UNSW is much appreciated. This support consisted of both valuable suggestions and physical effort. A number of other individuals also assisted us and we would like them to know by this that their help is appreciated.

Further information about the workshop can be obtained f r o m the undersigned.

Assoc. Prof. L.J. Doctors Mr P.J. Hehnore

Editors

Workshop on

Safety of Ocean Racing Yachts

Kingsford Rooms, Squarehouse, Kensington campus T h e University of New S o u t h Wales

Sydney, N S W 2052, A u s t r a l i a Sunday, M a r c h 28, 1999

Program

0830-0915: R e g i s t r a t i o n 0915-0930: O p e n i n g Session

C h a i r m a n : Assoc. Prof. Lawrence Doctors, UNSW, Sydney • W e l c o m e A d d r e s s , Professor Mark Wainwright,

UNSW, Sydney

• Opening A d d r e s s , Sir James Hardy, QBE, VLatner and Yachtsman, Sydney

0930-1030: Aspects o f Y a c h t R a c i n g

C h a i r m a n : Assoc. Prof. Lawrence Doctors, UNSW, Sydney • O r g a n i z a t i o n o f Ocean Yacht Races, M r Mark Pryke,

Cruising Yacht Club of AustraHa, Rushcutters Bay 1

a C a n W e P r e d i c t t h e Weather?, M r Patrick Sullivan,

Bureau of Meteorology, Darlinghurst 5

1030-1100: M o r n i n g Tea

1100-1200: N a v a l A r c h i t e c t u r e o f Yachts and t h e i r C o n s t r u c t i o n

C h a i r m a n : M r Noel Riley, Commercial Marine Design Pty L t d , Daley's Point • W h a t is W r o n g w i t h M o d e r n Ocean-Racing Yachts?, M r Warwick Hood,

Naval Architect, Blackheath 13 • Yacht D e s i g n R e l a t e d Safety Issues and t h e 1998 Sydney to H o b a r t Y a c h t Race,

Mr Andrew DoveU,

Murray, Bums, and DoveU Pty L t d , Newport 21

1200-1300: D e s i g n a n d Classification o f Yachts

C h a i r m a n : Dr Prabhat Pal, UNSW, Sydney

• Yacht s t a b i l i t y a n d Seaworthiness, Mr Christopher Murman,

Floating Point Designz, Mosman 31 • Aspects o f C l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f Yachts, Mr John Donovan,

Det Norske Veritas, North Sydney 53

1300-1400: L u n c h

1400-1530: V i e w p o i n t f r o m the B o a t

• T h e L u c k y Y a c h t s m a n , M r Jolm Qukm,

Yachtsman and Owner, Wahroonga 75

1530-1600: A f t e r n o o n tea

1600-1700: H y d r o d y n a m i c s o f Yachts

C h a i r m a n : M r John Jeremy, Navacon Pty L t d , Edgecliff

t D y n a m i c s o f Vessel Capsizing i n C r i t i c a l Wave C o n d i t i o n s , Dr Jan de K a t ,

Maritime Research Institute, Wageningen 83 • Safety o f O f f s h o r e R a c i n g — T h e C r i t i c a l Factors, Dr Martin Renilson,

Australian Maritime College, Laimceston 93

1700-1730: C l o s i n g Session

C h a i r m a n : M r John Jeremy, Navacon Pty L t d , EdgecliiF

e W h e r e do W e G o f r o m Here?, Mr Bryan Chapman,

President RINA (Austrahan Division), Melbourne 105

Written Discussion

• M r Warren Anderson,

Sheerline Spars, Brookvale 109 • M r Don Curchod,

Yacht Designer, Whale Beach 111 • Professor Peter Joubert,

The University of Melbourne, ParkviUe 113 • M r David Lyons,

Lyons Yacht Designers and Technical Consultants, Prenchs Forest 119 • M r Andrew Lucas,

Agent Oriented Software, Carlton 121 • M r David Payne,

Yacht and Small Craft Designer, Mosman 129 • M r Dusko Spadj, D r Swapan Dey, M r Gary Esdaiie, and M r Glen Wilkins,

Naval Architecture, Sydney Institute of Technology, Ultimo 131