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Covid-19 Considerations

C

captleasure

New member
There is a SSS board meeting tomorrow night to discuss plans/options for upcoming meetings and races and the implications of next steps etc.

In light of everything that is happening and for some context, here are some recent sailing event announcements and some news about Hawaii/Kauai that will weigh into decisions, discussions and plans etc along with the prospect of getting USCG event/racing permits etc.

Any feedback is welcome.


Recent race cancellations:
2020 Newport to Bermuda Race:
https://bermudarace.com/bermuda-2020-cancelled/

BAMA Doublehanded Farallones:
https://wp.sfbama.org/

Swiftsure Race:
https://www.swiftsure.org/

PNW Offshore Race:
https://www.cycportland.org/pnwo-home

Antigua Sailing Week:
https://www.sailingweek.com/cancellation-of-antigua-sailing-week-2020/

Ostar/Twostar
https://rwyc.org/mailasail-ostar-twostar-postponed/

PSSA:
https://www.pssala.com/events/2020/4/4/catalina-to-port-race-canceled-please-click-this-to-read-more

Newport to Ensenada Race:
https://nosa.org/73rd-newport-to-ensenada-race-rescheduled-for-2021/

World ARC Cruising Rally:
https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/a...ArchiveID=1&CategoryID=190&ItemID=268148&src=

Clipper Round the World:
https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/news/article/clipper-201920-race-postponed

Some races that are as of today, still happening and their outlook:
Pacific Cup:
https://www.pacificcup.org/node/107633

R2K:
https://r2ak.com/news/

Hawaii News:
Scroll down the “Mayors Emergency Proclamations”
http://www.kauai.gov/COVID-19

14 Day Quarantine:
www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-03-23/hawaiian-airlines-suspends-flights-to-u-s-mainland?_amp=true

HI Governor 30 day Travel Postponement:
www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2020/03/18/li...forts-stem-spread-coronavirus/?outputType=amp
 
To stage an event takes approval from many organizations at local or national level. At this time, all agencies seem to be on the restriction cycle. The opinions will change when the supporting disease numbers show a decline and when public health agencies feel risk is under control or can be controlled.

Many sailing events have long lead times (1-2 years) in preparation. In addition, there is expenses that may not be recovered if event is cancelled.

If the expenses are critical and approvals are uncertain, postponement or cancellation is the only choice.

For the covid-19 situation, the risks seem very small to the big picture, but agencies are almost always reluctant to say "acceptable risk".

With a 2 year cycle and a needed weather window to hold the race, the choice to postpone one year or cancel gets touchy.

I don't think any of these comments are new. But, they may generate more online discussion.

Ants
 
The Vic-Maui race is presumably still on, though no discussion on their website regarding COVID-19 ramifications.
https://www.vicmaui.org/index.php

A concern for starting and finishing any race is the race committee and how close (or not) the people are physically during the starts and finishes - how does one maintain a 6 foot distance between people at all times while on race deck? There's also the issue of driving to/from the race deck - is there any issue with people driving for 'non-esssential' reasons?

For doublehanders - how do they maintain separation while on a boat that is racing? Probably can't do that, so doublehanding doesn't work unless you're racing with the person you live with at home.

For Singlehanded TransPac, I believe it is too early to make a go/no-go call on the race. The key would be for the SSS to determine what the deadline date is for a go/no-go decision, and then work backwards in time to see what needs to be done (or can be avoided) until the go/no-go date. For example, holding seminars on-line is a good move as the skippers will need lead time to act on information picked up from a seminar - in other words, you don't want to delay seminars to the day before the start, so carry on with the seminars (plus seminars hopefully aren't expensive to conduct). If there are significant expenses coming up, document those and work out how long they can remain unpaid - that way expenditures are limited until a go/no-go decision is made. I would hope the goal is to refund entry fees if the race does not happen.

I would also investigate what happens if the race is postponed to 2021 - is this a possibility? If yes, then work out what would need to be done to make that happen (e.g., find out from 2020 skippers if any might be able to make 2021), and keep that information in the back pocket until the go/no-go decision.

For Singlehanded TransPac one unfortunate concern is what happens if a skipper is sick upon departure and then becomes seriously ill and requires medical attention during the race (or even dies, for that matter)? Does the SSS want to put people into that risk? Such an occurrence has always been a possibility; given the current virus running around the risk is increased. Is that an issue? (something for the Board to consider).

Unfortunately the COVID-19 virus is not something we can do anything about other than to help break transmission simply by staying put, avoiding contact, and therefore hopefully not spread the disease around further. I have no idea how long it will take for the outbreak in California and Hawaii to recede to a point where people can get back to a more 'normal' world. Given it took China 4-5 months to do that, I would expect the USA current situation to continue through to end of June, at best.

At least those are some thoughts, will be interesting to learn what the SSS Board arrives at as regards best way to handle racing going forward.

- rob/beetle
 
Again, I think Rob is correct. One further thought about a skipper becoming ill after leaving for Hawaii: a potential rescue by a commercial ship would expose that ship's Good Samaritan crew. I doubt if any commercial ship has the medical facilities required for either treatment or containment. I agree that the situation in China seems to have gotten better, but if you've followed the methods Chinese authorities used to "contain" the virus, it makes staying home in California look like a vacation. I received an email from a friend in Germany today. France is limiting folks to 500 feet from their residence and he thinks Germany is considering a similar restriction. I strongly agree with Rob's "possible" 2021 thoughts. Pat - "NANCY"
 
I did enquire in Solano county about whether single handed sailing was permitted given the stay at home order. While they allowed that it seemed to be OK, they were reluctant to do anything except reiterate 6 feet apart-since my boat is 15 feet wide, I think I won't be any closer to anyone than 6 feet. I probably will take a sail out of Benicia Marina this coming Tue and Wed since it'll be warm again. I can envision reverse start single handed races leaving a marina with no committee where it is obvious who wins by who comes back first. No awards, of course, but we all just race for ego, right?
 
I live in Discovery Bay. lots of people out in small boats, Kayaks, and SUPs. Everyone being responsible. It's a hell of a way to social distance but still have a little fun. Not only that but I am getting some serious project time on the sailboat. I have been told as long as I am alone or with family members with whom I are covering in place (only me and the real Jacqueline) it would be OK to be out on the big boat. I don't see any enforcement but people seem to realize this is serious and are staying away from one another. Other than being an old guy who could die if got covid19, I am having a pretty good time.
 
I'm getting a lot more tax work done (here at home). The real Connie is more aware of when I'm goofing off than my boss was. I'm not sure if this is a good thing.
 
BobJ said:
I'm getting a lot more tax work done (here at home). The real Connie is more aware of when I'm goofing off than my boss was. I'm not sure if this is a good thing.
Click to expand...

Ha ha, the trick is to look like you are doing something when you are not. I got pretty good at that before I retired.

I think I designed my entire electrical system for the 2016 SHTP while I was supposed to be managing my last project. It was a technical project so the designs on my whiteboard looked nice and technical. I used abbreviations for all the electrical components so people would think my boat system was actually related to the satellite ground station we were building.
 
Sad to say;
Vic-Maui was added to the list some weeks back.
PacCup called as of today:

April 7, 2020 - SAN FRANCISCO -- Race organizers for the 2020 Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Hawaii have announced their decision to cancel the 2020 race, with the next race to be held the week of July 4, 2022. “We’re terribly disappointed to take this step to cancel the 2020 race, but the health and safety of our participants, partners, and the many supporting volunteers must take priority,” said Pacific Cup Commodore Michael Moradzadeh.

https://www.pacificcup.org/2020rats

DH
 
Singlehanded Transpacific has a far smaller fleet, no crews and much less in logistics.

Let's give it some more time (please).
 
Understood. When I read the PacCup announcement earlier today I had visions of the board immediately pulling the plug on ours.
 
Strictly in a non official capacity, I hope that the board waits to make a decision about cancelling the race until Hawaii makes its own decision about letting us in. Currently Hawaii’s shelter in place order extends until April 30.
 
Philpott said:
Strictly in a non official capacity, I hope that the board waits to make a decision about cancelling the race until Hawaii makes its own decision about letting us in. Currently Hawaii’s shelter in place order extends until April 30.
Click to expand...

I want to go too. But suspect it will be June before Hawaii announces they are open for tourism. Can we all hang in there to early June before making the call? I also suspect there will be restriction on gathering sizes till there is a vaccine... not that will impact our small gatherings under Tree... I suspect July flights to Hawaii booked in June will be bargain priced...
 
I would say to not make a decision until one is forced on you, by the government, or complete lack of airline flights, etc.
 
I understand the anticipation and anxiety of the current situation for all those committed to racing the 2020 SHTP even though I don't have any skin the game. However I am a healthcare professional and have worked with COVID-19 patients and have seen how even a small number of critically ill patients can impact a hospital and its staff. There's nothing to argue about with that reality as it exists. How the healthcare system deals with a crisis such as the one we're in is a loaded thread all of its own. That being said, have any of you considered the possibility of running the SHTP in 2021 if the restrictions are not lifted by the end of June?
 
2021 would be better than waiting two years as Pacific Cup is doing. Some of our southern CA participants may be involved in the LA TransPac, but otherwise going to odd years shouldn't affect much.

There would be less conflict with the Pacific Cup too. Their double-handed division has grown a bunch in recent years. Perhaps going to odd years would enable more skippers to do both races (like Jim Q).

And let's face it - we currently have only ten boats, assuming all make it to the line. Giving everyone another year to get ready would hopefully bring in more entries.

I could be persuaded, (Edit) but I'm curious to know what other entered skippers are thinking.
 
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Another side benefit of being opposite years with the PacCup besides racers is vendors. It is always crunch time for riggers, sailmakers & boat yards with two races in the same year.
 
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