Offshoreonly.com - Enough is Enough

An open letter to my Offshore friends and family :
The close of this past Offshore Racing season saw the tragic loss of 3 outstanding racers. The men were all personal friends that I have known over the past two decades that I have been involved in safety at boat racing events. After feeling the loss and frustration and then anger I felt the need to express some thoughts.
I have been involved in rescue at all types of boat racing events from the local tunnel boats and speed skiffs to the local Unlimited Hydroplane races and finally Offshore. Having had the privilege to work with and for many great racers and organizations I have learned from the best. Unfortunately the racers, team owners, and race producers have not. While racing has and never will be a “safe” sport I am confident that more can be done to prevent death and injury.
Over the years tragedy has called attention to safety deficiencies, and has led to several improvements. The Lavin foundation was formed as a result of Mark Lavin’s tragic death in Key West. As a result safety standards were improved drastically and remained strong for several years.
However, memories are short as racers, race teams, and race organizations seem to come and go every few years. After another tragic death in Biloxi at the inaugural OSS race they mandated helicopter as well as safety boat coverage on a closed course for testing as well as strict cockpit and safety inspections of all race boats.
Again a few years later the standards slipped. I cannot count the number of times I have had teams complain when it was noted that the on board safety systems had not even been looked at since the previous season or race while new engines and props had been purchased and installed.
Complaints about having to go through “dunker” training at every race that it was logistically possible have led to once a year training in an antiquated or single place simulators that do not reflect current two person cockpit configurations. Cockpit safety inspections and air system inspections have almost become a thing of the past.
Rescue teams can be made up from local sport divers to highly trained and experienced members. Some organizations seem not to care about the number of safety boats or the skills of those who man them. Some boat manufactures modify designs for safety, some for more horsepower and lighter faster hulls.
The common thread is there are no set safety standards in boat racing. Racers and promoters like to refer to offshore racing as NASCAR on the water while keeping the “run what you brung” attitude. Until we start being professional in our actions and not just talk the talk but walk the walk there will be no NASCAR on the water. Some may say the cost for all this safety too costly in these economic times. To them I say what is your life worth? What effect would your death or debilitating injury have on your family and loved ones? Is racing at that choice race site worth dying for?
You the racers have the power to make the change! You can mandate a solid set of safety standards as a group. If you are not happy with the safety standards of a race site or organization just don’t race there. Promoters and organizations depend on you to show up to draw the crowds, sponsors and make money. Without you there is no show.
Safer racing will mean an increase to the number of boats participating which will make for a larger fan base, more sponsors and a greater peace of mind for our loved ones. The insurance underwriters who insure the races should be at the forefront in the fight to support safety standards. They also stand to lose. A regulated set of safety standards adopted and enforced by race organizations and promoters would reduce losses in addition to saving lives.
Another area I feel needs to be considered is the speeds involved in racing these days. Over the past decade the speeds involved in offshore racing have increased dramatically. In most cases the hull and cockpit designs have not kept pace with the speeds setting up a disaster waiting to happen. Modern race boats in the larger classes routinely runs speeds 150 mph plus. In my experience I have never known anyone to survive an incident occurring at 160 mph or higher.
Anyone with the financial means can buy a boat with lots of horsepower and go fast. Racing should be about the skill of the team to have the proper set-up, prop selection, and the skill and expertise of the Driver and Throttle man. Modern race courses are shorter and closer to shore to allow for better spectator involvement. It would be a simple task to make it a course that would require skill rather than speed. High speeds on a smaller course in close proximity to spectators are a recipe for disaster that could cost many lives. I cannot begin to tell you the nights I have stayed awake worried that all that could be done was NOT done to prevent this nightmare for occurring. While the loss of racers is tragic the loss of multiple fans and or spectators would be devastating.
When will enough be enough? The technology and expertise are available to help lessen the possibility of these incidents. It is up to all of us in the offshore community to take up the challenge to make the sport we love a safer one. I propose a panel to be made up of experienced medical & safety persons, racers, and boat manufactures to try and establish a set of standards we can all LIVE with. All my friends in these fields have been having serious discussions regarding this issue. Now is the time to put those words and promises to work.

Charlie Bass