Preparation update 50:42.09N 01:30.11W
STAR DANCER'S OCCASIONAL LOG
Rob Packham
Thu 10 May 2007 18:24
Just over 3 weeks to race start - the pressure is
on! (The Race Starts 1300 Saturday 2nd June 2007)
Robert flew in from Holland for some sailing last
week and then we were both joined by John for the Offshore Racing Crew Course
for Personal Survival at the weekend (5th/6th May). Excellent
and sobering content provided by Yvonne and Keith Taylor of KTY Yachts,
Universal Marina, Hamble. Sea Survival - liferaft drills in the
pool, safety techniques and equipment followed by practical First
Aid.
We are reasonably well prepared but the TO-DO list
still seems to grow!
We will make a few additions resulting from
the course and have ordered a couple of GECKO helmets after discussion with Alan
Crockard (skipper of Sea Spine another Southerly with us on the
AZAB)!
Plan to move Star Dancer to Falmouth over the
weekend of 26/27th May ready for final preparations and inspection, if
required. Registration is Monday 28th and ends Thursday 31st
May.
All documents are now sorted:
Enhanced CG66 Coastguard
information form.
Certificates for Personal
Survival Course - to meet ISAF Offshore Reg Cat 1
EPIRB Registrations ( we have a
main EPIRB and two Personal EPIRB's)
Insurance
Certificate
IRC Rating
Certificate
Liferaft
Certificate
Main work right now, in addition to the
lengthly TO-DO list, is developing weather routing knowledge (we are using
MAXSEA for routing) and testing Satellite (IRIDIUM) connectivity with the boat
to make sure we can comply with daily position reporting and download GRIB files
for the weather.
Rob
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