Port Clearances
Port Clearances
The topic of port clearence is never far from the concerns of all ocean rowers. Rescue costs are a major factor to all port authorities that have ocean rowing boats leaving their terretorial waters. Most rules impossed by maritime authorities are common sense and should be followed simply as a basic standard for the safety of your rowing project.
The cost of rescue services is extremely high depending on how a rescue is conducted. There are not many companies that will cover ocean rowing boat expeditions against this cost. Woodvale Challenge has such insurance cover in place based on the number of teams that have crossed the Mid Atlantic ocean under the constraints of the equipment level that teams are required to carry.
Each route has a different requirement. The Americans and Canadan's have a very different outlook on ocean rowing boats. Canada is relatively relaxed once the local coastguard has been given notice of the expedition. The American authorities that control the Hudson River and further terretorial waters have a strict process to follow.
The Japanese insist on seeing your equipment list and need to be satisfied of your competance as to do the Australians. There are specific requirements laid down by Canberra air sea rescue and this works in conjuction with the local coastguard services and Shire Police in Western Australia.
Peru are pretty good depending on who you deal with, the local yacht club in Lima will support ocean rowers, if you go further south to Ilo, then there is a lot of paperwork to get official clearance. If you try to leave from Chile then you will be stopped.
The main route to ocean rowers is ofcourse La Gomera or any of the Canary Isles. The Spanish are pretty cheased off with rescuing rowers that are not properly prepared. This year they have put a blanket ban on all rowers leaving between 15th February 07 to 1st December 07. This follows years of attempts by the Spanish to be listened to and have some basic rules followed.
Set out below are the Spanish rules for clearance of ocean rowing boats:-
1) Description of the intended route and crew list.
2) Appointment of a safety co-ordinator (full name, address, tel, fax and e-mail)
3) Safety / Tracking means supported by the organization.
4) Certificate of Register of the boat
5) List with the safety and survival means
Minimum requirement: Signalling mirror, binoculars, 2 watertight torches with spare batteries, inflatable raft, life jackets, immersion suits, 6 rocket with parachute, 6 handheld flares with red light and 2 floating smoke signals.
Pyrotechnics, inflatable raft, life jackets and immersion suites must be approved (ISO, CE SOLAS)
6) Description of the communications equipment, including Station License and Operator's Cerificate.
Minimum requirements: EPIRB, VHF (DSC) equipment with connection to GPS and satellite telephone.
Identification data of EPIRB, telephone number and MMSI (9 digits) number must be provided.
7) Certificate / Qualification as skipper for the intended voyage
8) First Aid kit (C Type)
9) Insurance, including salvage cover for a minimum os 300,000 Euros
10) Certificate issued by the flagging state, stating that the boat and her equipment are suitable for the intended voyage.
All the Woodvale Challenge race crews will conform with these guidlines as a basic requirement of entering the race. A small part of the race entry fee is allocated to the time taken to put all the necessary paperwork that supports the above regulations.
Our relationship and track record with the Spanish Authorities are second to none. The Spanish have accepted our "boat sign off" after scrutineering as ample certification to give consent under clause 10 of their requirements. This does however need to be supported by a marine architects sign off for the sea worthyness of the rowing boat.
Woodvale Challenge can provide supporting information to all rowers in relation to the specific requirements of the Spanish Authorities.
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