When does enthusiasm become chaos?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
I have great admiration for shorthanded racing, but I am puzzled that it is allowed. World Sailing has the authority to limit the usage of the Racing Rules of Sailing, and without their blessing, races don’t happen. Yet they continue to happen.

To avoid collisions at sea, regardless of competition, the International Maritime Organization adopted the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). Among the rules most frequently noted is for every vessel to maintain a constant, attentive lookout.

As offshore boats have gotten faster, crew spend less time on deck. The IMOCA 60s are now designed to be fully sailed ‘indoors’ which means COLREG Rule 5, which states that “every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight…” is being disregarded.

Equipment such as SEA.AI uses artificial intelligence, optical cameras, and thermal imaging to help detect hazards at sea before collisions occur, but it is not perfect. And while AIS (Automatic Identification System) and radar have alarms to notify trouble, no equipment fully replaces the COLREG requirement.

Offshore racing is a great adventure, and shorthanded racing is gaining participants, but when does enthusiasm become chaos?