Sailing

Sailing made its last appearance at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

World Sailing Officially Requests LA28 Participation

By: JORDAN B. DARLING

World Sailing has submitted an official application for the inclusion of sailing in the 2028 Paralympic Games set for Los Angeles.

Sailing was an official part of the Summer Paralympic Games from 2000 to 2016. However, no one competed for the event in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, and the event was denied a bid for reinstallation at the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics.

The International Paralympic Committee cited that sailing lacked a global reach with too few countries competing in the sport at this level.

World Sailing kicked off a campaign in October 2021, “#BacktheBid,” to gain the support of globally renowned sailors and social media. The hashtag took over social media, gaining traction from participants worldwide. in the Paralympics,” said David Graham, CEO of World Sailing, in a July 4 press release.

According to World Sailing, as of June 2022, there are 41 nations actively participating in Para Sailing, five world championship events in 2022, and 631 para sailors in the classification master list.

“Para Sailing is thriving despite what has been a challenging few years for global sports,” said Graham. “We now have Para Sailors active in 41 countries on five continents. Our dedicated Para Sailing Development Programme (PDP), created in 2017, has been key. We kicked off 2022 with our first PDP to be held in the Sultanate of Oman, and just one week ago, we held our first ever Para Kiteboarding PDP.”

World Sailing is continuing to move forward and looks to have 30 percent female participation by 2023 and an increase in youth participation to 20 percent of all athletes by the same year.

Sailing 101: Radio Not, Here It Comes! Announcing Trouble Through Your VHF Radio

Ahoy sailors, you should be well versed in maritime navigation tools. Now it’s time to talk about your VHF Radio. This will be an introduction to how it works, and an explanation on how to use it for emergency and non-emergency situations. This two-part lesson will continue on in the next issue where we discuss what to do if you hear a distress call.

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

A marine VHF radio, (Very High Frequency), is global system of two-way radio transceivers on ships and watercrafts used for bidirectional voice communication from ship to ship. VHF radios are not required in recreational boats under 65.5 feet in length, however, a VHF radio does allow for instant communication between your boats and those surrounding you, marinas, bridges, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). A VHF radio is the primary means of communication while out on the water and has many advantages that a cell phone doesn’t making it the preferred method of communicating on the water.

VHF Radio Basics

To use your VHF radio, it helps if you start by turning it on and picking a channel. Set your squelch as low as possible, to the point where you hear no white noise; you can then begin speaking. A squelch is a circuit that suppresses the output of a radio receiver if the signal strength falls below a certain level. Push the button on the microphone to transmit. Take your finger off the button to allow for responses.

How to Use Your VHF Radio

The standard process for a non-emergency call, such as calling another vessel, marina, or restaurant to ask where to tie up for dinner, is as follows:

Call the vessel, marina, or restaurant on Channel 9 in the following manner: 1. Say the name of the station being called three times. 2. The words “THIS IS” spoken once. 3. Name of your vessel spoken once. 4. The word “OVER.” 5. Then wait for the station you called to answer.

Their answer should be in the same manner as your call. 6. Once answered, you should suggest a specific working channel to carry on your conversation. 7. T hen the word

“OVER.” 8. Wait for a reply or confirmation from the station being called, switch to the working channel, and repeat the process. 9. When done speaking and leaving a specific channel, use the word “ OUT” at the end.

An Example of a Non-Emergency Call

Calling Station:

“Dana Point Marina, Dana Point Marina, Dana Point Marina, THIS IS the motor vessel Vitamin Sea. OVER.” Responding Station: “Vitamin Sea, Vitamin Sea, Vitamin Sea, this is Dana Point Marina. OVER.” Calling Station: “Please switch and listen to Channel 68. OVER.” Responding Station: “Switching Channel 68, OUT.”

You would then switch to Channel 68, call Dana Point Marina using the same procedure, and conduct your conversation. Again, all discussions, whether on a hailing or working channel, should be kept brief and to the point.

A Mayday Situation

“MAYDAY” is only to be used in an emergency situation where the boat and/ or persons on board are in inevitable danger of sinking or significant injury or death. A situation may arise with a short amount of time to execute your distress call. Here’s what you do; transmit in this order: 1. Tune your radio to Channel 16. 2. Distress signal “MAYDAY” communicated three times. 3. The words “THIS IS” spoken once. 4. Name of vessel in distress spoken three times. 5. Announce the vessel’s position by latitude or longitude or by bearing (true or magnetic; state which) and distance to a well-known landmark such as a navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information on vessel movement such as

course, speed, and destination. 6. Explain the nature of your distress (sinking, fire, etc.). 7. Indicate the number of people on board. 8. Provide the kind of assistance you want. 9. Communicate any other information that may aid in the rescue, such as length or tonnage of vessel, number of persons in need of medical attention, the color of the hull, cabin, masts, etc. 10. The word “OVER.”

An Example of a Mayday Call

‚“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY -

This is Vitamin Sea, Vitamin Sea,

Vitamin Sea, Cape Henry Light bears 185 degrees magnetic, distance two miles struck submerged object need pumps, medical assistance, and tow. Three adults and two children are on board. One person with a fractured arm. Estimated that the vessel can stay afloat for two hours. Thirty-two-foot cabin cruiser, white hull, blue deck house, over. ‚ Repeat this in intervals until an answer is given and received. ‚ For a potentially dangerous situation, which may or may not end up in a “MAYDAY,” use “PAN-

PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN” (pronounced pahn pahn). This is used when the safety of a vessel or person is in jeopardy. ‚ For important announcements that you want others to pay attention to, say “SECURITAY” (the French pronunciation of “Security”). For example, to report a submerged log in a particular vicinity.

Radio Channels

‚Channel 9: The primary calling channel. You should establish contact on this channel and move to a “working channel” as soon as possible. ‚ Channel 16: Emergency and Distress calls only. ‚ Channel 22A: This channel is restricted to USCG use only. If you establish contact with the USCG on Channel 9 or 16, they may ask you to switch to Channel 22A. You may also hear an announcement on

Channel 16 to switch to Channel 22A for important information. ‚ Channel 13: This channel is for bridge-to-bridge communications between vessels. This channel can also be used to request bridge openings. Ships less than 65 feet in length maintain a listening watch on this channel in U.S. waters. This is an excellent channel to listen to during times of poor visibility so that you can communicate with ferries, freighters, and other large vessels. (You must use the low power on your radio when broadcasting on

Channel 13.) ‚ Channels 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A: These are all “Working Channels.” These are the only channels available to non-commercial vessels for ship-toship and ship-to-shore communications. Although you may have many other channels on your radio, they are restricted to specific uses.

Offshore Racing Series Oceanside Sprint

(August 5) DANA POINT— The Dana Point Yacht Club will host the third race in the 2022 Offshore Racing Series on Aug. 5. The regatta is open to boats in PHRF, Spinnaker, Non-Spinnaker, and ORCA classes. PHRF Spinnaker entries will need to have a current PHRF rating. This is an open ocean series. The course for the race will be included in the Sailing Instructions. A competitor’s meeting is on Aug. 4 at 5:30 p.m. at DPYC. Take-home trophies will be awarded for each class, and the overall winner in the PHRF fleet will be awarded the Top Gun flag. There is a $35 entry for the race; entries must be completed by 6 p.m. on Aug. 4. This race is a feeder race for the Oceanside Yacht Club Elizabeth Hospice Charity Regatta. For more information, see https://www.regattanetwork. com/event/24239#_home.

Three Mark Fiasco

(Aug. 6) SAN DIEGO— Southwestern Yacht Club will host the Three Mark Fiasco on Aug. 6 in San Diego Bay. The regatta is open to all members of organizations affiliated with US Sailing with a sailboat of 20 feet or greater in overall length. There is one race

scheduled for Aug. 6, and the first warning will sound off at 11:55 a.m.; there is a 4:30 p.m. time limit. SWYC will host an afterparty and awards presentation at the ON THE HORIZONS club after the race. Trophies will be presented to each class, and the Overall Open Spinnaker Winner and the Southwestern Race Fleet Winner will be noted on the perpetual trophy. A $35 entry fee is By: JORDAN B. DARLING due by Aug. 4 at 5 p.m. and can be submitted online at https://www.regattanetwork.com/ event/24843. For more information, contact Event Chair Kevin Murphy at kmurphyimages@me.com or (858) 344-9813.

20 th Annual Elizabeth Hospice Charity Regatta

OCEANSIDE— The Oceanside Yacht Club will host the 20th Annual Elizabeth Hospice Charity Regatta Aug. 6-7 south of the Oceanside harbor entrance. The regatta is open to members of yacht clubs or sailing associations recognized by the Southern California Yachting Association or US Sailing. Yachts in the Cruising Class without a PHRF certificate will be assigned a rating by the race committee. The race is open to the following classes, One-Design classes: Schock 35, Beneteau First 36.7, Holder 20, Capri 25, Catalina 27, J24, J80, Olson 30, J120, and yachts holding a current valid Southern California or San Diego PHRF certificate rating between –18 and 240. Five races are scheduled throughout the weekend, three on Saturday and two on Sunday. A $60 entry fee is due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 3. This is a charity event and will include a regatta party, raffle, and silent auction. For more information, see https://www.regattanetwork. com/event/24807. Competitors will race for a chance to compete in the 2023 Hospice Regattas National Championship in Charleston, South Carolina.

19th Annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta

By: KATHERINE M. CLEMENTS

SAN DIEGO— The 19th Annual Sharp HospiceCare Benefit Regatta will sail into the San Diego Bay Aug. 26-27. The regatta is hosted by Sharp HospiceCare, Coronado Yacht Club, and the Cortex Racing Association.

The event will begin Aug. 26, with a pre-race dinner and silent auction, followed by all-day festivities on Aug. 27, when guests will board yachts and cruise along the racecourse throughout San Diego Bay.

All proceeds from the Regatta will support Sharp HospiceCare, a non-profit that provides end-of-life care to patients via hospice homes throughout San Diego County.

This year’s event is anticipated to raise $415,000 for Homes for Hospice, a Sharp HospiceCare initiative to build and maintain residential hospice homes.

Sharp HospiceCare’s efforts have already completed three homes in La Mesa, Del Cerro, and Bonita neighborhoods. Alyce Vessey and Sherri Summers of EC Constructors lead the effort as event cochairs for the 2022 Regatta. The honorary chair is Lori Moore.

The pre-race event is on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at Hotel del Coronado. Tickets cost $250 and include a full-course dinner, dancing, and a silent auction.

Race and Spectator Yacht Seating - for Aug. 27 will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Coronado Yacht Club. Tickets cost $175 and include a yacht reservation, lunch, refreshments, beer, wine, and a post-race dinner party.

The race portion of the event will begin on Aug. 27 at 12:30 p.m. at the east end of Harbor Island, winding around San Diego Bay and finishing near the Coronado Yacht Club. Competitors will race for a chance to compete in the 2023 Hospice Regattas National Championship in Charleston, South Carolina.

For tickets to the pre-race event and spectator party or to become an event sponsor, contact Bill Navrides at 619740-4316. To learn more about the Regatta or pay online, visit https://grossmontfoundation.ejoinme.org/regatta2022. In addition, racers can register sailboats to compete in the regatta by visiting http:// www.cortezracing.com/.