2021 Sydney to Hobart

[JL92S]

So it’s been decided, no updates on the news section, not seen anything on social media and even Sailor Girl hasn’t updated but it looks like Celestial have been handed a 1 hour time penalty…

I don’t know about anyone else but I’m bored of races not getting decided on the water (this Hobart, the middle sea race, the last Hobart, F1 2021)

 

[wildbirdtoo]

Decision *& Heartbreaking interview with Sam Haynes now on sailorgirl....  https://www.facebook.com/sailorgirlHQ/videos/901602207218875/

poor guy.....

 

[Onthelock!]

Protest decision on the website. A penalty seems justified & fair, although the effect of that penalty seems harsh…..

Listening watches ares prescribed for good reasons. It was only a few years ago the CYC wouldn’t have even tried to call a Satphone. 
I remember not so long ago when people were penalized for SSB problems. Then the call was “give us satphones, then we’ll always be able to comply”. Apparently not…. 

 

[shanghaisailor]

So it’s been decided, no updates on the news section, not seen anything on social media and even Sailor Girl hasn’t updated but it looks like Celestial have been handed a 1 hour time penalty…

I don’t know about anyone else but I’m bored of races not getting decided on the water (this Hobart, the middle sea race, the last Hobart, F1 2021)

View attachment 482271

Hell of a way to win a yacht race. As Paul Elvstrom said "If by winning a yacht race you lose the respect of your fellow competitors you have won nothing" but in my view neither the RC nor Ichi Ban did anything wrong

Obviously the opinion of the IJ listening is the same as hearing. That said Celestial didn't hear anything, even the PLB pinging, which would be concerning if you happened to be the crew member who had fallen off and the 'ping' was for real.

Having read the protest and redress findings and knowing personally the ability and experience of at least a couple of members of the IJ I would strongly suggest that although disappointing for Celestial that 34.1 in the SIs wasn't complied with as it was/is intended and that the decision was correct.

It should also be noted that the IJ handed Celestial the minimum (real) penalty, that of one position in the standings.

In this case fingers will surely be pointed at Matt Allen for protesting, however the Race Committee also protested but I rather think that would be unfair

Safety is always paramount and the RC were concerned enough, long enough, along with the official SAR authorities to have assets on standby after a PLB was activated resulting in attempted contact with the known parent vessel which received no response for 90 minutes. From the transcript Ichi Ban only got involved when the RC asked them for help to confirm or otherwise there was a safety issue on Celestial.

I doubt if anyone would be making a fuss if it was Ichi Ban who had been protested in identical circumstances.

And I say the above with a good friend who was involved with the Celestial campaign.

Hell of a cost though for the want of a good cup of tea!

 

[Schakel]

Decision *& Heartbreaking interview with Sam Haynes now on sailorgirl....  https://www.facebook.com/sailorgirlHQ/videos/901602207218875/

I saw it, very not taken into account Celestial  was concentrated on winning not listening to the radio on a loud carbon boat, where you simply can't hear what's being said because all the noise.
I can understand Sam Haynes is emotional about losing his TP 52 win in the S2H.

But even in extreme conditions like this someone has to listen the mariphone, with a headset perhaps, then he would have won the race. All in all very competetive professional racing. With most crewmembers being amateurs Sam added.
 

 

[TPG]

This shit makes people sell their boats and walk.

 

[Schakel]

This is a remarkable win:
Love & War 

First in fully crewed Irc division 4.
She is Sparkman & Stephens designed, build in 1973.
https://rolexsydneyhobart.com/the-yachts/2021/love-war/

 

[shanghaisailor]

This shit makes people sell their boats and walk.

I am sorry and sympathise with Celestial but more often than not it is mistakes that lose yacht races and I would be more concerned that they didn't notice a PLB pinging than didn't hear a VHF call or satellite phone call.

From the Facts Found the RC were concerned enough for Celestial's safety to sat phone call the nearest yacht and request a flare be sent up to attract their attention. This is a typical evolution in such a case and I have personally witnessed such an act by Coastguard cutters in a real SAR incident. In this case it clearly worked as only then did Celestial become contactable.

It is also apparent from the hearing report that it was the SAR authorities that first alerted RC to the situation as they had detected a personal PLB pinging which if non accidental would likely mean someone in the water and it appears the authorities had assets ready to go airborne so the whole thing is rather more serious than some people are trying to suggest.

Of course I feel for Celestial but an error was made, and not hearing any comms for 90 minutes is not a small error. It does appear they also had a hand held on deck but that appears to have not been switched on. 

 

[TPG]

Of course I feel for Celestial but an error was made, and not hearing any comms for 90 minutes is not a small error. It does appear they also had a hand held on deck but that appears to have not been switched on. 

I'd be curious to know all forms of comms they attempted to reach out to Celestial on. Because the only one mentioned here is VHF. And even if they had a handheld on deck, it could have been on and stuffed in someone's foulies, in a pocket in the cockpit stuffed with shit, etc. Handheld VHFs suck at everything but hailing the launch.

 

[Snowden]

I'd be curious to know all forms of comms they attempted to reach out to Celestial on. Because the only one mentioned here is VHF. And even if they had a handheld on deck, it could have been on and stuffed in someone's foulies, in a pocket in the cockpit stuffed with shit, etc. Handheld VHFs suck at everything but hailing the launch.

I'd also be curious to know whether any other stations heard Itchy's transmissions or whether we just have to take their word for it that they were hailing for 90 mins.

 

[JSoup]

The Decision is posted in full on the site (as noted above).  

Here it is:

FACTS FOUND:

1.    The wind was at 7-15 knots.

2.    At 23.53 on 27 December 2021, the Race Committee received a telephone call from Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Search and Rescue notifying the Race Committee that a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) assigned to Wulf Wilkens, a crew member on Celestial, was activated.

3.    At 23.56, the Race Committee commenced attempting to contact Celestial on the satellite phone listed in their Sat Phone Declaration and received a “call could not be connected” error. The Race Committee continued to attempt to contact Celestial by Satellite Phone during the incident.

4.    At approximately 23.58 the Race Committee contacted Ichi Ban by satellite phone because they were the nearest boat and within 7 to 10 nm from Celestial. The Race Committee requested Ichi Ban contact Celestial on VHF 16 to clarify whether all were safe on board.

5.    Ichi Ban commenced calling Celestial on VHF 16 at 23.58 and received no response, approximately every 2 minutes for 7 minutes.

6.    From 0007, Ichi Ban continued to attempt to contact Celestial at least every 5 minutes on VHF 16 as requested by the Race Committee.

7.    The Race Committee was in frequent contact with AMSA throughout the incident in relation to the decision whether to deploy search and rescue aircraft from Essendon Airport, Victoria.

8.    Quest, who heard Ichi Ban’s VHF radio call to Celestial, also attempted to contact Celestial on VHF 16 but no response was received.

9.    At 0057, following the Race Committee advising AMSA and in agreement with the Race Committee, Ichi Ban released a handheld white flare to attract Celestial’s attention, but did not receive a response.

10.  At approximately 0120, following permission from AMSA and approval by the Race Committee, Ichi Ban released a red parachute flare in an attempt to attract Celestial’s attention.

11.  At approximately 0130 Celestial contacted Ichi Ban on VHF 16 using the navigator’s handheld VHF radio on deck. Ichi Ban informed Celestial that the reason for the red flare was to attract Celestial’s attention at the request of the Race Committee due to the activated PLB.

12.  Celestial confirmed the PLB activation was accidental, and all crew were safe.

13.  Celestial deactivated the PLB.

14.  At 0139 Celestial sent a text message to the Race Committee through their satellite phone to confirm the PLB activation was accidental, and all crew were safe. An attempted satellite call failed.

15.  The Race Committee informed AMSA, enabling the search and rescue aircraft on standby to be stood down.

16.  Celestial’s installed VHF radio was located on the port bulkhead near the mast, with a repeated to the navigation station. The radio was new in 2021.

17.  On the morning of the race start, the navigator tested the installed VHF radio and found it to be working satisfactorily.

18.  At all times during the incident, the VHF radio was turned on as indicated by power light and backlight illuminating channel 16 with volume turned up at the navigation station.

19.  Two additional handheld VHF radios were on board Celestial but not turned on during the incident until Celestial sighted the red flare. The navigator’s handheld radio was then turned on and used to contact Ichi Ban.

20.  During the incident, Celestial’s crew were fatigued.

21.  The Celestial navigator was seated at the navigation station for approximately 97% of the race time.

22.  During the incident, Celestial’s engine and water maker were both turned on, which created significant noise below deck.

23.  Celestial did not hear any attempts to contact her on VHF during the incident.

24.  At other times in the race, Celestial heard Ichi Ban and other marine traffic using her installed VHF radio.

25.  The distance between Ichi Ban and Celestial did not significantly change throughout the incident duration.

26.  Twelve other PLBs were accidentally activated during the race, and in each case the boat responded to the Race Committee within 25 minutes (average response time is 15 minutes).      

27.  At all times Ichi Ban continued to race the boat and did not alter course as a result of the incident, however Ichi Ban did prepare and deploy two flares which temporarily affected her performance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Protests v Celestial

1.    For the purpose of SI 31.4, the International Jury interpret "listening" to be the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process.

2.    Celestial was able to communicate by handheld VHF radio with Ichi Ban once the red flare was sighted and was therefore within VHF range of Ichi Ban during the incident.

3.    Either the equipment or procedures on board Celestial resulted in her failing to maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF 16 as required by SI 31.4.

Ichi Ban Redress:

4.    At the time of deploying the flares, it was reasonable for Ichi Ban to assume that Celestial needed help.

5.    It is possible that Ichi Ban’s finishing position in the race was made significantly worse through no fault of her own by giving help in compliance with RRS 1.1 to someone else than herself or her crew.

Rules that apply:         SI 21.1, SI 31.4; RRS 1.1, 61.1, 62.1(c), 63.2; and World Sailing case 20.

DECISIONS:

Protests v Celestial:

1.    A Discretionary Penalty of 40 minutes in lieu of disqualification is to be added to Celestial’s elapsed time as authorised by SI 21.1.

2.    In determining the penalty, the following matters were considered:

a.    The specific penalties for other rule breaches within the RSHYR Sailing Instructions;

b.    The World Sailing Discretionary Penalty Guide (which is, however, designed for use in a multi race event);

c.     The appropriate penalty for a breach of a rule with potentially serious safety consequences;

d.    The mitigating factor that the breach was accidental; and

e.    The aggravating factor that the breach inconvenienced AMSA, the Race Committee and other competitors.

Ichi Ban Redress:

3.    Redress is given to Ichi Ban. Ichi Ban’s elapsed time is to be adjusted by deducting 3 minutes.

International Jury: David Tillett (AUS), Rosemary Collins (AUS), John Doerr (GBR) Russell Green (NZ), Philippe Mazard (FRA) Jamie Sutherland (NZ).

Date and Time Decision Advised: 00.50, 31 December, 2021

 

[Bluey2298]

I’ve raced against Matt (IB)   He loves running to the protest room over the smallest thing.  That guy is a win at all costs bloke.   

 

[starsinker]

Harsh. Surprised that 12 PLBs went off accidentally during the race. Is that normal?

 

[Snowden]

3.    Redress is given to Ichi Ban. Ichi Ban’s elapsed time is to be adjusted by deducting 3 minutes.

lol. there must be something in the special regs that says your flares have to be ready to go in less than 3 minutes.

 

[glexpress]

Harsh. Surprised that 12 PLBs went off accidentally during the race. Is that normal?

I think it's happened in the last 3 Mackinac races I've done.  So based on my experience this happens frequently.

If 12 went off during this race, I have to assume the other 11 weren't in contention for the podium.    :lol: ...

 

[TPG]

lol. there must be something in the special regs that says your flares have to be ready to go in less than 3 minutes.

There should flares in the ditch bag which I believe by the rules should be "readily available". Not, "well let me go rooting around under a bunk".

 

[TheUltimateSockPuppet]

The Decision is posted in full on the site (as noted above).  

Here it is:

FACTS FOUND:

1.    The wind was at 7-15 knots.

2.    At 23.53 on 27 December 2021, the Race Committee received a telephone call from Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Search and Rescue notifying the Race Committee that a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) assigned to Wulf Wilkens, a crew member on Celestial, was activated.

3.    At 23.56, the Race Committee commenced attempting to contact Celestial on the satellite phone listed in their Sat Phone Declaration and received a “call could not be connected” error. The Race Committee continued to attempt to contact Celestial by Satellite Phone during the incident.

4.    At approximately 23.58 the Race Committee contacted Ichi Ban by satellite phone because they were the nearest boat and within 7 to 10 nm from Celestial. The Race Committee requested Ichi Ban contact Celestial on VHF 16 to clarify whether all were safe on board.

5.    Ichi Ban commenced calling Celestial on VHF 16 at 23.58 and received no response, approximately every 2 minutes for 7 minutes.

6.    From 0007, Ichi Ban continued to attempt to contact Celestial at least every 5 minutes on VHF 16 as requested by the Race Committee.

7.    The Race Committee was in frequent contact with AMSA throughout the incident in relation to the decision whether to deploy search and rescue aircraft from Essendon Airport, Victoria.

8.    Quest, who heard Ichi Ban’s VHF radio call to Celestial, also attempted to contact Celestial on VHF 16 but no response was received.

9.    At 0057, following the Race Committee advising AMSA and in agreement with the Race Committee, Ichi Ban released a handheld white flare to attract Celestial’s attention, but did not receive a response.

10.  At approximately 0120, following permission from AMSA and approval by the Race Committee, Ichi Ban released a red parachute flare in an attempt to attract Celestial’s attention.

11.  At approximately 0130 Celestial contacted Ichi Ban on VHF 16 using the navigator’s handheld VHF radio on deck. Ichi Ban informed Celestial that the reason for the red flare was to attract Celestial’s attention at the request of the Race Committee due to the activated PLB.

12.  Celestial confirmed the PLB activation was accidental, and all crew were safe.

13.  Celestial deactivated the PLB.

14.  At 0139 Celestial sent a text message to the Race Committee through their satellite phone to confirm the PLB activation was accidental, and all crew were safe. An attempted satellite call failed.

15.  The Race Committee informed AMSA, enabling the search and rescue aircraft on standby to be stood down.

16.  Celestial’s installed VHF radio was located on the port bulkhead near the mast, with a repeated to the navigation station. The radio was new in 2021.

17.  On the morning of the race start, the navigator tested the installed VHF radio and found it to be working satisfactorily.

18.  At all times during the incident, the VHF radio was turned on as indicated by power light and backlight illuminating channel 16 with volume turned up at the navigation station.

19.  Two additional handheld VHF radios were on board Celestial but not turned on during the incident until Celestial sighted the red flare. The navigator’s handheld radio was then turned on and used to contact Ichi Ban.

20.  During the incident, Celestial’s crew were fatigued.

21.  The Celestial navigator was seated at the navigation station for approximately 97% of the race time.

22.  During the incident, Celestial’s engine and water maker were both turned on, which created significant noise below deck.

23.  Celestial did not hear any attempts to contact her on VHF during the incident.

24.  At other times in the race, Celestial heard Ichi Ban and other marine traffic using her installed VHF radio.

25.  The distance between Ichi Ban and Celestial did not significantly change throughout the incident duration.

26.  Twelve other PLBs were accidentally activated during the race, and in each case the boat responded to the Race Committee within 25 minutes (average response time is 15 minutes).      

27.  At all times Ichi Ban continued to race the boat and did not alter course as a result of the incident, however Ichi Ban did prepare and deploy two flares which temporarily affected her performance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Protests v Celestial

1.    For the purpose of SI 31.4, the International Jury interpret "listening" to be the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process.

2.    Celestial was able to communicate by handheld VHF radio with Ichi Ban once the red flare was sighted and was therefore within VHF range of Ichi Ban during the incident.

3.    Either the equipment or procedures on board Celestial resulted in her failing to maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF 16 as required by SI 31.4.

Ichi Ban Redress:

4.    At the time of deploying the flares, it was reasonable for Ichi Ban to assume that Celestial needed help.

5.    It is possible that Ichi Ban’s finishing position in the race was made significantly worse through no fault of her own by giving help in compliance with RRS 1.1 to someone else than herself or her crew.

Rules that apply:         SI 21.1, SI 31.4; RRS 1.1, 61.1, 62.1(c), 63.2; and World Sailing case 20.

DECISIONS:

Protests v Celestial:

1.    A Discretionary Penalty of 40 minutes in lieu of disqualification is to be added to Celestial’s elapsed time as authorised by SI 21.1.

2.    In determining the penalty, the following matters were considered:

a.    The specific penalties for other rule breaches within the RSHYR Sailing Instructions;

b.    The World Sailing Discretionary Penalty Guide (which is, however, designed for use in a multi race event);

c.     The appropriate penalty for a breach of a rule with potentially serious safety consequences;

d.    The mitigating factor that the breach was accidental; and

e.    The aggravating factor that the breach inconvenienced AMSA, the Race Committee and other competitors.

Ichi Ban Redress:

3.    Redress is given to Ichi Ban. Ichi Ban’s elapsed time is to be adjusted by deducting 3 minutes.

International Jury: David Tillett (AUS), Rosemary Collins (AUS), John Doerr (GBR) Russell Green (NZ), Philippe Mazard (FRA) Jamie Sutherland (NZ).

Date and Time Decision Advised: 00.50, 31 December, 2021

To be fair, I have no problem with the findings and the time penalty - the 3 minute redress for IB is more telling. WTF you’re crying over 3 minutes in a 4 day race, and yes I know that’s the difference between winning and losing but it points back to @LB 15 earlier MAYDAY post.

 

[Schakel]

I am sorry and sympathise with Celestial but more often than not it is mistakes that lose yacht races and I would be more concerned that they didn't notice a PLB pinging than didn't hear a VHF call or satellite phone call.

From the Facts Found the RC were concerned enough for Celestial's safety to sat phone call the nearest yacht and request a flare be sent up to attract their attention. This is a typical evolution in such a case and I have personally witnessed such an act by Coastguard cutters in a real SAR incident. In this case it clearly worked as only then did Celestial become contactable.

It is also apparent from the hearing report that it was the SAR authorities that first alerted RC to the situation as they had detected a personal PLB pinging which if non accidental would likely mean someone in the water and it appears the authorities had assets ready to go airborne so the whole thing is rather more serious than some people are trying to suggest.

Of course I feel for Celestial but an error was made, and not hearing any comms for 90 minutes is not a small error. It does appear they also had a hand held on deck but that appears to have not been switched on. 

It's just very competetive, like AC, Ocean race.

 

[Monkey]

I think it's happened in the last 3 Mackinac races I've done.  So based on my experience this happens frequently.

And coincidentally, when one went off on Vincitore during last year’s Bayview Mac, Vincitore couldn’t be reached on their VHF and it took a near by competitor to get their attention. Sounds oddly similar. 

 

[JonRowe]

Surprised that 12 PLBs went off accidentally during the race. Is that normal?

I think it's happened in the last 3 Mackinac races I've done.  So based on my experience this happens frequently.

PLBs get stuffed in pockets frequently so you always have it on you, but a foulie pocket is a harsh environment, I used to tape or rubber band mine up to stop the antenna releasing in my pocket (on mine, ACR res qlink the antenna blocks the on button) I keep meaning to make a neoprene sleave or similar to do the same, so I can see how easy it would be to have an accidental activation