06/25 - Port Townsend Safety Boats

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Plan C

New member
Steve Chapin, organizer of the rowing race we did safety boat work for last year, asked if we would like to do safety boat service for the annual Rat Island Race of the rowing club. That was the one we did on on Saturday last year, the one we cut our teeth on.

Is there interest in doing this? The date is June 25.

We could meet as last year over at the state park at Nordland.

I realize we might be overqualified for this.... However it could combine into a nice informal gathering.

Any takers? It would be good if we had at least six, and more is fine.

Dave
 
Dave,

SleepyC has been too long too dry. I would really like to help out again this year, and should be able to. Thanks for the note. I was just getting ready to turn in my June work schedule. I'll plan on the 26th. I really enjoyed last years session.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Dave, I wish I could join the group as it was a great time last year. Unfortunately, I must pass on this event this year as this date conflicts with plans previously made. Thank you for the invite, perhaps next year I'll be able to join in again.
 
Okay, some of the veteran safety guys are uncertain or unavailable.

New folks - this is a job we can quickly train you for. If you can run your boat, you can become one of us safety guys!

If we have enough - six, maybe - we can own the safety boat function, in other words it will be all C Dorys. If not, we will join others. Either is okay, but all C Dorys is classier.

Harvey and I will be there. Room for more!

As with last year, safety boat crews are invited to the salmon BBQ afterwards.

Dave
 
For those that were not fortunate to be a part of this event last year, I encourage you to give this serious consideration and join in. By having a C-Dory Flotilla for "safety vessels" it was extremely beneficial to both the contestants and law enforcement personnel to distinguish the vessels (C-Dorys with their easy recognizable features) on the water as being the "safety contingency" for the event. It was obvious to me that the contestants appreciated our presence. (Especially the guy that was paddling the wrong direction in the fog.... :shock: and was chased down by a C-Dory as he headed out into the shipping lanes).
I'm looking forward to doing this again, but just can't this year. :cry: .
 
Reconsidering what I wrote, I should note that among us talented amateurs, we had someone like Dave S, who as fireman, is a professional safety guy. We welcomed that sort of input.

This year the task hopefully will be easier than the open water race.

Dave M
 
DaveS":36h4bu42 said:
For those that were not fortunate to be a part of this event last year, I encourage you to give this serious consideration and join in. By having a C-Dory Flotilla for "safety vessels" it was extremely beneficial to both the contestants and law enforcement personnel to distinguish the vessels (C-Dorys with their easy recognizable features) on the water as being the "safety contingency" for the event. It was obvious to me that the contestants appreciated our presence. (Especially the guy that was paddling the wrong direction in the fog.... :shock: and was chased down by a C-Dory as he headed out into the shipping lanes).
I'm looking forward to doing this again, but just can't this year. :cry: .
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DaveS put it very well. The C-Dory presence was appreciated by the participants, because once they were introduced to the boats, (quoting one of the racers) "You all look like twins". It was not a not a hard job. It is fun, rewarding, and a really good excuse to be out on the water.

This really needs to be a tradition. Dave (Plan C), thanks for the opportunity again.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Dave,

Despite all the fun last year, we'll still be going to the Broughtons during this one. :wink: Hope you get a good sized fleet.
 
Plan C":92lvcovp said:
...safety boat service for the annual Rat Island Race...The date is June 26.
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It would help newcomers to hear what is involved. I just searched for this race and got:
http://soundrowers.org/RatIsland.aspx
First of all, this page says the race starts at 10:00am on 6/25 (not the 26th), and the course record (set by Steve Chapin) is 53:26. So...it sounds like the time committment is from 9:00 to 12:00 - is that about right?

What does "safety boat service" involve? I'm guessing it's keeping other boats off the race course, keeping the contestants on the course, and watching out for evolving safety "issues".

I could see myself volunteering for this, but I'd be coming from Skyline via water and if the weather sucked on Friday night I'd want the option of bailing.
 
Ouch! Yes, the 25th of June, I was told the 26th and didn't double check.

>What does "safety boat service" involve? I'm guessing it's keeping other boats off the race course, keeping the contestants on the course, and watching out for evolving safety "issues.

That is a pretty good summary. We spread out and shepherd the craft, which are rowers, possibly kayakers, and i have seen a pedal boat. We try to anticipate whatever safety issues there might be, and improvise as needed. On this course it is easy to stay in touch by radio. I have done this for a number of years, and the worst I ever had to do was tow in another safety boat (not C Dory).

We have found it productive to talk through our role the night before.

Dave
 
Sure. There is always a possibility for strong weather Friday PM. I hope we will have suffiicient numbers that if someone has to drop that will be okay. Also we can supplement with local non C Dorys, if need be.

I had not ever before last year's Sunday race (open water), seen anything but perfect weather. The issue that day was fog. You will have the best chance crossing Friday to avoid the typical early morning fog that time of year.

We understand that people may have to cancel for conditions beyond their control. We have to allow for that.

Dave

AGAIN, ALL SHOULD NOTE RACE DAY IS JUNE 25, SATURDAY
 
Hi guys

My attention has been elsewhere, but it is time to pull things together for the Rat Island Regatta next weekend.

Although several have said they are coming, we don't have signups yet. If you can come, go to center of home page for CBrats and find the Port Townsend link, and get your name there.

I will want to tell the organizer beginning of the week what our numbers will be. It would be great to have a bunch of us, as I know last year it was judged to be a fine time. If we are light in numbers - which is okay, too - he will want to supplement us with some additional local safety boats.

I propose, like last year, we meet Friday night at the state park on Marrowstone Island, in the harbor by Nordland. Last year we took one end of the dock.

My cell number is 360-643-1978.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

I just signed up for this event and it is looking like a pretty thin (well in numbers anyway) group. I hope there are more. Maybe the Broughtons just has to big a magnet up north.

Sure glad I saw this. Haven't been on the site to reguarly lately and glad I cought the date change.

Still planning on being there, barring any untoward events.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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