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| SAILING SAFE AND SMART |
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DISCLAIMER A vast majority of the time one can participate in ice boating and enjoy a reasonable and acceptable safety margin. But, occasionally we must be reminded that ice boats are still very fast and the ice is still very hard. While knowing the Right-of-way rules and using common sense works most of the time, accidents may still occur. The 4LIYC can not guarantee your safety when sailing, whether you follow these guidelines and the Right-of- Way rules or not. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SELF!! The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club cannot guarantee your safety when on the ice. You are responsible for yourself. Ice boating is a relatively safe sport when common sense is applied and the sailing and racing rules are followed. However, accidents can still occur and injury or death is possible. Following the safety advise given on this page CANNOT guarantee your safety in all instances. Contents
High
and Dry Ice Boating
Cold
Water Survival High
and Dry Ice Boating
Though I hesitate to use the term "global warming", it can not be argued that we are definitely experienced a warming trend the past several years. This in turn means that our sport has suffered in its search for sailable ice. The 4LIYC always tries to pick out safe ice on which to conduct our racing activities, but lately it seems that in order to get any sailing in we must contend with thin ice and/or areas of open water on the lake. This requires increased awareness on everyone’s part. Not only is sailing into open water dangerous, the publicity and the involvement of police or fire rescue units, (whether warranted or not), is not good for our sport. The Blade Runner is taking this time to offer up a few (hopefully) helpful hints on how to stay high and dry while sailing your ice boat. 1. Gather Information- Find out before you set sail if the lake has any particularly dangerous or suspect areas to look out for. (Hint: they always do!!!) Ask other sailors, ask your Fleet Captain, ask an ice fisherman. Find out where the bad areas are and then stay away from them! 2.Respect the Lake-99.5% of the time you cannot (I repeat; cannot!!!) sail the entire lake, shore to shore in all directions. Open water, thin ice, expansion cracks, ice heaves, river and creek inlets and outlets or springs are all just waiting to inflict harm to you and your boat. 3.Pleasure Sailing is More
Dangerous than Racing-I cannot recall the last time the club had to
rescue someone from open water that they sailed into while competing in a
club race. And yet there have been numerous times in the past few years
that we had to pull sailors out of the drink who had been pleasure sailing
on areas of the lake that they shouldn’t have been near. If you must go
pleasure cruising at least tell someone where you plan on going so someone
might know something when you turn up missing. 4.Use the Buddy System-It would be great if Buddy Melges could sit next to you, steering you clear of trouble, as you leisurely sailed around the lake. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. What we mean is don’t go sailing alone! I’m not talking about taking a passenger along for a ride, find a friend with another boat to go sailing with you. I know this has the potential of being two boats in the water but in practice it seldom works out that way. 5. Equip yourself for Survival- There are several things you can and should do in order to help yourself should trouble occur on the ice. 5.Carry a set of "Bear Claws"-These are like ice picks that can aid you in climbing out of the water and onto the ice. A inflatable life jacket is a great idea. Some racers already have them, they are unobtrusive and at about $75.00 pretty cheap insurance. A cell phone and a length of rope in your boat may not be a bad idea. Of course you should always dress appropriately, have some sort of ice creepers or spikes for your boots, and use a decent helmet. 6.Stay with your Boat- In most cases your boat will not sink to the bottom when you sail into open water. You, on the other hand cannot (I repeat, CANNOT), stay afloat too long in icy water. The cold water drains your energy much faster than swimming does in the warm summertime. Your clothes, when wet, may seem like you’re carrying an anchor with you as you try to swim for it. Stay with your boat, it is the best chance for your survival. Yell like hell for help. [Carry a whistle, too!-Ed.] There you have it, a few common sense things to consider when ice boating. Most of this advice is directed at the pleasure sailors out there, (and therefore will probably never see this article), but it’s pretty sound advice for all of us. THE
FOUR LAKES ICE YACHT CLUB ASKS YOU TO SAIL SMART AND SAFE 1. Know the sailing and Right- of-Way rules. Pay your dues, join the club, get your copy of the By-Laws and Racing Rules. Study the racing rules until you really know them. 2. Never sail alone. Use the 'buddy system', The lake is never one large sheet of ice that can be sailed on in all directions, shore to shore. The ice is never the same thickness all over. Six inches of good solid ice in one part of the lake does not mean that somewhere else on the lake there won't be thin unsafe ice, or even open water. 3. Early and late season ice requires extra caution. Early season ice is not fully formed on the entire lake. Springs, river inlets and outlets, and warm water outlets, like MG&E, can make for areas of thin ice where you least expect them. Pressure ridges can appear over night, often in areas that were sailable in previous days. Ducks can keep large areas of the lake open even after long periods of freezing temperatures. 4. Is racing safer than pleasure sailing? I've always thought that racing is safer than pleasure sailing because the club has looked over the sailing area and picked out the best ice on which to race. A smooth surface, thick enough ice, no large cracks, no open water, are just a few of the things that the club looks for before we set up the marks. We also have the clubs safety equipment, and the ATV emergency vehicle keeping track of the boats which are racing. Sure, the club will come to the aid of anyone who needs it, but on a lake the size of Mendota we may not even be aware of the need for assistance in areas far away from the race course. 5.Talk to others on the lake. Talk not only to fellow ice boaters, but to ice fishermen as well. Get as much information as you can on the condition of the lake. Even if you plan on racing with the club don't assume that you can sail straight out to the race course. The club tries to set up the course on the best possible ice, but on many occasions you may have to sail over some rough ice, or cross some larger cracks to got to ft. Find out where the problem areas are before setting out. 6. Dress for the occasion. You would not believe how many times over the years I've seen people, on the ice, not dressed warm enough. This is, after all, winter in Wisconsin. When you are cold, not only will you not enjoy the sport, the cold will affect your thought process. It's easier to make bad decisions. Bad decisions can lead to accidents. Dress warm! Get yourself a decent helmet. The 4LIYC requires a helmet for racing, but even if you are not racing a good helmet is a safety must. Notice how many of the serious racers use the full-face style helmets. Be sure to have ice creepers on your boots or some type of spiked shoe. It makes walking on the ice safer and they are necessary for starting your boat. 7. Carry a few safety items in your boat. Perhaps a small length of rope and some sort of small ice picks, often called 'bear claws', to help yourself climb out of open water. Some carry a distress flair. Maybe even a cell phone, especially if you are pleasure sailing. 8. Check and re-check your boat over during the course of the day. Make sure all your pins are in. Check to see if the bolts have the nuts on them. Check your safety pins and any safety wiring. I've seen many times where snowdrifts have knocked pins out during the course of the day. DNers, check your bob stay. Give your boat at least a quick going over before each race. 9. Establish a maintenance program for your boat. When back at the shop or garage between weekends, check all your equipment for wear and tear. Replace worn items as needed. Keep your runners sharp, dull runners on a windy day can definitely be a safety concern. Check your wood or fiberglass parts for stress cracks or other damage. Keep your sails in good condition. 10. ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE AND EXERCISE GOOD JUDGMENT. Whether racing or just pleasure sailing, sail smart and safe. Avoid collisions at all costs, even if you are being fouled by another yacht during the course of a race. That's what we have protest forms for. Don't sail beyond your experience and limitations. If it's blowing 35 mph, get off the lake. You can bet the 4LIYC won't be racing in those conditions.
Important Facts About Ice,
Hypothermia, and Common Sense Ice Boating New, clear ice is generally the strongest. Lake ice is stronger than ice found on creeks, rivers, or anything with a current. Snow and water erode ice and add weight. When ice pulls away from the shore, it is also eroding from above and below. Hypothermia Water causes heat loss 25 times
faster than air Levels of Hypothermia
Common Sense Ice Boat Safety If you plan to be on the ice, let someone else know Be aware of weather and ice conditions Listen to other sailors Talk to new sailors, day sailors and warm them of ice conditions Avoid sailing alone Stay with the fleet Safety Products
Quick
and Dirty Rescue Claws
from the IDNIYA Website Links US
Army Cold Regions Research & Engineering Laboratory Beware!
The Hazards of Ice
Holes
in the Ice Spring Ice Safety Considerations
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