In preparation for the 2009 Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race many crewmembers participated in a Safety at Sea Symposium funded and organized by the Marion-Bermuda Race Committee. The two-day event, held March 28 and 29 featured a line up of speakers to address a series of topics of vital interest to all serious sailors. Sanctioned by U.S. Sailing and moderated by Capt. John Bonds USN (Ret.) the symposium was held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Auditorium. The symposium’s Saturday agenda included discussions on safety equipment and abandon ship procedures, damage control, first aid, heavy weather techniques, and more.
After the more theoretical apparoach of Saturday, Sunday’s sessions stressed the practical side with more hands-on training. The Sunday sessions were available on an à la carte basis and complemented the Saturday lectures with sessions dealing with medical emergencies, weather, CPR and a course that included in-water survival skills including cold water survival.
The symposium was open to anyone who cared to expand their sailing knowledge and was not limited to race participants.
This year’s 17th Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race is scheduled for June 19, 2009. For more information please visit www.marionbermuda.com.
