The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is back this year for its 79th running, with a fleet of 112 boats gearing up to take on the blue water classic.
As in previous years, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) will continue its vital role in providing safety advice and emergency search and rescue oversight for the race starting on Boxing Day, 26 December 2024.
AMSA will deliver its annual safety briefing to crews and officials today, 24th December.
The briefing will focus on safety equipment and practices, including the use of personal flotation devices (lifejackets), emergency beacons, communication and safety procedures.
AMSA’s 24/7 Response Centre will be working closely with race organisers to promote the safety of the competitors and race officials.
AMSA Response Centre Manager Kevin McEvoy said supporting this and other yacht races is a service that AMSA has proudly been providing to race crews and officials for over 25 years.
“The safety principles for the crews are the same as those that everyday boaters should follow. They include having registered emergency beacons on board, wearing lifejackets and knowing how to use their safety equipment,” he said.
“At AMSA, we see an increase of almost 30% of incidents during the holiday season and we are routinely responding to more than 200 beacon activations a month.”
“AMSA’s Response Centre operates 24/7 across the entire holiday period to support and provide assistance.”
Mr McEvoy said around 75% of the rescues coordinated by AMSA during the holiday period involve recreational boaters.
“Many of these incidents can be avoided by taking relatively simple steps that aren’t that different to those that the professional racers will use in the Sydney to Hobart event,” he said.
“Make sure your boat is properly maintained, wear lifejackets while on board and have a properly registered emergency beacon within easy reach.”
“It is also vitally important to fully brief all those on board on safety equipment and procedures, and practice its use,” Mr McEvoy added.
The AMSA Response Centre leads and coordinates search and rescue activities in Australia’s search and rescue region – around 53 million square kilometres – or the equivalent of about 10 per cent of the earth’s surface.
The Response Centre responded to over 9,300 incidents, saving 396 lives, so far this year.
