Following today's interview with Mark Towell, in which the skipper in charge talks in detail for the first time about the tragic collision between his blue racing yacht and a boat not involved in the race on 20 January, the organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race have announced a report that will look at ocean sailing at night in areas with high traffic density and identify possible ways of minimising risk.
The report is to be compiled by an Independent Review Team (IRT), which will be chaired by Rear Admiral Chris Oxenbould. Oxenbould is a former head of the Australian Navy, experienced sailor and ex-chairman of the safety committee. The investigation committee also includes the renowned navigator Stan Honey, who won the 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race with ABN Amro One. Chuck Hawley, the former chairman of the U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea Committee, is also on the committee.
The IRT will look at all aspects of sailing a Volvo Ocean 65 or similar yacht at night in congested waters and will draw on the experience of recent editions of the Volvo Ocean Race. The Volvo Ocean Race organisers have announced that they will subsequently publish any findings that may be of interest to the global sailing community. The IRT intends to present its findings to the Volvo Ocean in June. This means that the results could be published just in time for the final of the race in The Hague at the end of June.
Regatta Director Phil Lawrence said: "Of course there has been a lot of reaction to this incident in the sailing community. But the fact is that it takes time to conduct a responsible investigation that identifies what can be done to minimise risk and improve safety."
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
