Emirates Team New Zealand: sailing team safety training

It was two years since Emirates Team New Zealand had sailed Te Rehutai, their America’s Cup winning AC75. A long enough time for any sailor to need to refresh their senses sailing on such a powerful boat. And that includes the inevitable capsize that can tend to happen from time to time.

So, the Emirates Team New Zealand on water operations, shore and sailing teams developed and built a mock capsize capsule which could be used to rotate the sailing team through to practice capsize scenarios.

The floating platform consists of a hinged pod which the sailors and cyclors put themselves in which reflects how they are tucked into the AC75. The pod, which is towed behind the teams chase boat at 8 knots, is tripped and capsized into the water with the sailors having to evacuate the pod safely.

Chris Salthouse, Head of On Water Operations was overseeing the safety training sessions,
“We are running these guys through a capsize procedure one at a time. We are dip them in the water and they can practice releasing themselves from the peddles, using the spare air oxygen and just getting comfortable having a bit of water around them.”

The sailors each had to progress through several scenarios, unclipping and rescuing themselves, as well as buddy rescuing each other in the case they or their mates need help in the immediate aftermath of a capsize.

“It is never nice feeling the water come up as you go down into it,” explained cyclor Marius van der Pol. “so, it is nice to get used to that feeling here in a safe environment before we go out on the water for real. But also going sailing knowing that I am in safe hands if one of the guys needs to come and rescue me.” Marius van der Pol.

“It’s an odd sensation. I think the biggest thing is just spending a couple of seconds finding a new calm working the situation out and just going from there.” said Louis Crosby, having gone through the scenarios.
Advice also passed on by Emirates Team New Zealand stalwart Tony Rae, “It is a matter of just doing it a few times and trying to relax in the situation. Whatever you need to do if your feet are trapped, you know the scenario to get out safely.”

Continued safety for the sailors onboard the AC75, which has been clocking over 50 knots in the 6 days it has had out on the water so far is always a priority which the team will keep evolving.