OCEAN SAFETY RETURNS AS CLIPPER 2017-18 RACE OFFICIAL SUPPLIER WITH AIS UNITS FOR CREW

Ocean Safety, the UK’s largest marine safety supplier, has renewed its Official Safety Supplier partnership with the Clipper Race for the third consecutive edition.

Ocean Safety, part of the 3si Group will continue to provide a comprehensive range of safety equipment for the matched fleet of Clipper 70 yachts and has extended its partnership for the 2017-18 edition to supply personal AIS units for all crew competing in the 40,000nm adventure.

The Ocean Safety AIS devices will be integrated into all lifejackets for the first time during the Clipper 2017-18 Race, to form part of the standard safety equipment on board.

Clipper Race Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said: “There’s one thing that is paramount in ocean racing; Safety, safety, safety. Ensuring our fleet and crew are equipped and prepared is fundamental to the Clipper Race, that’s why I’m so pleased that our longstanding partnership with Ocean Safety is continuing.

“With each race edition, we strive to learn, develop and continue to offer the highest safety standards to our crew, which includes the choice to integrate AIS into all crew lifejackets.”

The decision to integrate the Ocean Signal RescueMe MOB1 device into all specialised Kru lifejackets ensures that safety equipment on board is of the highest standard. This addition marks the Clipper Race’s continual evolution and commitment to go above and beyond standard industry requirements when it comes to safety.

Ocean Safety’s Alistair Hackett comments: “Ocean Safety has been working with the Clipper Race for over 15 years, developing and evolving best in class products to help ensure the safety of crews at sea. This partnership will enable us to continue providing expert advice and comprehensive safety packages to support the crew; who we very much look forward to supporting throughout the Clipper 2017-18 Race.”

Ocean Safety’s preparations for Race Start in Summer 2017 have already begun. Checks, servicing and replacements are taking place on the full inventory of Ocean Safety equipment carried by the Clipper Race fleet including flares, tether lines, traditional horseshoes, and danbuoys. During the Clipper 70 refit, vital lifesaving products including Ocean Safety’s latest Ocean SOLAS Compact life raft will be fitted.

Ensuring Race Crew are fully prepared for their upcoming adventure, the pioneering Clipper Race training courses are also well underway. Crew are currently completing their required levels of training, both here, in the UK and in Australia. On top of learning the sailing skills needed to take on the world’s oceans, Clipper Race training teaches the basics of yacht maintenance and management, racing tactics, weather routing and survival at sea. Above all, the culture of safety is instilled throughout the four weeks of intense training, as crew are coached and practice for all situations using all the safety equipment on board.

The Clipper 2017-18 Race, the eleventh edition of the biennial challenge, will start in August 2017 and will return almost a year later after visiting six different continents.

For more information about Ocean Safety visit https://www.oceansafety.com/