VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2008-9 SEA SURVIVAL COURSE
26/03/08
Ultimate race preparation for the Volvo Ocean Race teams
To ensure that all the competitors are properly prepared for the Volvo Ocean Race, starting from Alicante on 4 October 2008, Ocean Safety has undertaken to repeat the extremely successful, specific to Volvo, sea survival course for all crews.
This year, however, there will be changes providing considerably more extreme simulated conditions. The training will be more in line with the worst that could happen at sea; fire hydrants will produce gallons of water onto the unsuspecting crews, along with simulated black skies, an enormous wave generator and storm force winds. The crew will be led through how best to protect themselves and their fellow team mates in different scenarios.
The course is compulsory and prior to the last race, a number of areas were highlighted where the crew gained extreme sea survival knowledge for the first time in the pool. For this year, the crews are to be trained in how to use the life saving appliances they are to carry on board under the rules set down in the Notice of Race.
Jim Allen, Racing Manager at the Volvo Ocean Race Headquarters in Fareham said, “We take the safety of the boats and crews extremely seriously at Volvo and it is compulsory that every competitor in the race takes part in the Ocean Safety Sea Survival Course. We have selected the venue very carefully and the teams will undergo a two day intensive course.”
Charlie Mill, Managing Director of Ocean Safety said, “We are always delighted to work with such experienced sailors. We can teach them how to use the equipment we supply to them and in return we gain from the tremendous feedback we receive from the teams. We have been working on the Sea Survival Course to ensure that the simulations come as close as possible to the conditions that they are likely to experience. They could be in for a few surprises!”
More information, Tel: +44 (0) 23 8072 0800
Email: marketing@oceansafety.com
http://www.oceansafety.com