Majority of life jackets fail tests

SAILING:OVER 90 per cent of life jackets tested at Ireland's two biggest sailing centres failed simple checks carried out by the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) last week. From 91 jackets tested in Cork and Dublin, 83 failed a free inspection.

The annual Life jacket check service carried out by the institute was only taken up by 40 sailors from an estimated 1,000 competing crews at Cork week. Thirty five failed the test.

In Dún Laoghaire, last Saturday the RNLI offered the service again prior to Dublin Bay racing, where the total fleet is over 300 boats, the country’s biggest sailing centre. Fifty one from a possible 2,500 life jackets were checked.

Only three were deemed okay.

There were several different reasons for the failures, including rusty or out of date inflation capsules, but the bulk were rejected because jackets were not fitted with crotch straps. “It is the RNLI opinion these life jackets may not work to their full potential because they may not keep the wearer’s airway above water”, says the RNLI’s Kevin Rahill.

It’s an important point so it is a wonder how life jackets can be sold without them. What is not explained though is why so few sailors took up the free check or why nearly half the life jackets presented had out of date capsules. There is little doubt there has been an increased use of life jackets in recent years but as last week’s survey shows it’s equally important to know the life jacket you are wearing actually works if you end up in the water.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s top match racers sailors will take on a panel of international sailing talent in a 90-race series this weekend off Dún Laoghaire.

The “Ireland v The World” Match Racing Challenge is the first event of its kind in Ireland. The fixture has attracted a number of the world’s top match racers. World number 17 Keith Swinton of Western Australia’s OEBlack Swan Racing will captain the international side. Ireland number one John Sheehy will lead the home side.

The Royal St George Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire will host six of the world’s best teams from France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Britain.

Abroad, top youth Matty O’Dowd of the Royal St George YC who posted ninth overall and top Irish performer at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Istanbul a week ago is in action again in Scotland. He opened his account at the Laser Radial Youth World Championships in Largs with a second place finish. The fleet is some 210 boats, split in three for the initial stages of the regatta. O’Dowd’s second place in his 70-boat group puts him fifth overall.

Noel Butler and Shane McCarthy picked up their third regatta win of the Irish Fireball dinghy season last weekend when they won the Leinster Championships at Howth Yacht Club. A five race series was completed and the Dún Laoghaire/Greystones pairing won three of the five races to end up eight points clear.

On Lake Garda, Italy, Irish boats are finding the going tough at the SB3 World championships. Belfast entries are leading an Ireland challenge that so far must be satisfied with David Cheyne’s 27th overall in the 104-boat fleet. Ballyholme skipper Gareth Flanigan is next in 31st.

On the east coast two separate one design championships are underway. The Dragon Nationals are being hosted by Royal North on Belfast Lough and in Howth a six-race Irish Puppeteer 22 championships starts tonight at 7pm.

In a week’s time the clinker Mermaid national championships start at Foynes YC.

Tonight, a fleet of up to 20 boats could line up off Dún Laoghaire for ISORA’s overnight race to the India North buoy. The race starts at 7.30pm.