SAFETY, NAVIGATION & WEATHER
In the interest of improving safety knowledge, the Lake Ontario Offshore Racing organizing committee has created this page to share any relevant safety, navigation and weather resources that might contribute to a safer experience for our racers.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with them and we welcome any contribution to this web page; please send your favourite links to the safety committee.
These resources will be updated regularly.
Lake Ontario Hazardous Areas
Weather Resources
Safety Requirements
Safety & Survival Training
Accident & Safety Related Sports
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World Sailing Offshore Safety Regulations (SR) Appendix G – Training
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2012 MAIB investigation report on the fatal MOB from the yacht Lion (UK)
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2011Transport Canada – Boating Immersion and Trauma Deaths in Canada: 18 Years of Research (CAN)
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2011 US Sailing Inquiry Chicago-Mackinac Wingnut (USA)
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2011 US Sailing Report Rambler capsize (USA)
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2009 CYCA Flinder Islet Inquiry (AUS)
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US Sailing Safety Studies Archives
Best Practices & Recommendations
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The Final Report of the 2005 US Boat Crew Overboard Rescue Symposium
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The Lifesling Owner’s Preparation Guide
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Sailing Foundation Life Sling Demonstration Video
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OSR 5.02.5 b) A harness should be fitted with a crotch strap or thigh straps.
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OSR 5.02.5 c) Safety lines (tethers) snaphooks should be of a type which will not self-release from a U-bolt and which can be easily released under load (crew members are reminded that a personal knife may free them from a safety line in emergency)
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All safety lines (tethers) should have a mid-point snaphook on a 2m safety line or a separate 1m safety line
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PFD’s should be equipped with a crotch or thigh strap (holding down device)
Lake Ontario Navigation
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Live Ships Map at MarineTraffic.com
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Lake Erie sailor and meteorologist Mark Thornton has compiled an excellent summary of the 2010 Lake Ontario 300 that featured unusual weather patterns that caused many withdrawals due the equipment breakage and sail damage.
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Mark Thornton‘s Great Lakes Marine Forecast page for Lake Ontario
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Environment Canada – Marine Weather for: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
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Slideshow from Ron Bianchi's March 2019 Weather Presentaition at PCYC (7 Mb file size).