Mark, I don't know what planet you're on with this last posting. I have been at an event where someone actually died, and another where someone was literally saved from drowning under a tramp (CPR was needed on the turtled hull).

If any idiot actually complained that stopping the racing to help one of our friends STAY ALIVE is unfair because they're not getting enough racing for their money, I would have a hard time forcing myself not to waste my time with the Rule 69 hearing just to drag him through the mud.

Is it the PRO's responsibility to protect everyone from everything? Of course not. But you can't fault me for being human at your expense, in the hopes of having our friends literally live to see another race.

Now, if it's just a case of hardware breakdown, I agree, if the people are safe, get the boat out of harm's way and try to free up a resource (or find an alternative) to drag them in when it's convenient.

If I don't have safety boats, I say that. I say "We have 3 mark boats, no safety boats."

US SAILING does expect us to employ risk assessment and safety plans. Safety boats most certainly need to have swimmers on them. First aid kits, evacuation routes (to meet an ambulance ashore), etc. are also expected.

You don't have to personally agree with this stuff for it to be expected by those we serve, or for it to be the right thing to do.

Mike