In the interest of improving safety knowledge, the Lake Ontario 300 Organizing Committee has created this page to share any relevant safety, navigation and weather resources that might contribute to a safer experience for our racers. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with them and we welcome any contribution to this web page; please send your favorite links to Guy Perrin. These resources will be updated regularly.
Safety Requirements
- The LO300 Safety Requirements FAQ
- The generic ISAF Offshore Special Regulations site
- The Canadian Coast Guard Search And Rescue Operations
Accident and Safety Related Reports
- 2012 MAIB investigation report on the fatal MOB from the yacht Lion (UK)
- 2011Transport Canada - Boating Immersion and Trauma Deaths in Canada: 18 Years of Research (CAN)
- 2011 US Sailing Inquiry Chicago-Mackinac Wingnut (USA)
- 2011 US Sailing Report Rambler capsize (USA)
- 2009 CYCA Flinder Islet Inquiry (AUS)
- 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race (AUS)
- 1979 Fastnet race inquiry (UK)
- 2007 MAIB Radar Reflector Study (UK)
Best Practices and Recommendations
- The Final Report of the 2005 US Boat Crew Overboard Rescue Symposium
- The Lifesling Owner’s Preparation Guide
- OSR 5.02.5 b) A harness should be fitted with a crotch strap or thigh straps.
- OSR 5.02.5 c) Safety lines (tethers) snaphooks should be of a type which will not self-release from a U-bolt and which can be easily released under load (crew members are reminded that a personal knife may free them from a safety line in emergency)
- All safety lines (tethers) should have a mid-point snaphook on a 2m safety line or a separate 1m safety line
- PFD’s should be equipped with a crotch or thigh strap (holding down device)
Lake Ontario Navigation
- The Seaway Maritime Traffic
- Live Ships Map at MarineTraffic.com
- The Canadian Light List
- The US Light List
Lake Ontario Hazardous Areas
- Main Duck Island and Yorkshire Island shoals
- Prince Edward Point Shoals
- Scotch Bonnet Island shoals
- Niagara Bar at R2 buoy
- Ford Shoals and David W. Mills wreck
Weather Resources
- Lake Erie sailor and meteorologist Mark Thornton has compiled an excellent summary of the 2010 Lake Ontario 300 that featured unusual weather patterns that caused many withdrawals due the equipment breakage and sail damage.
- Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System
- Environment Canada – Marine Weather for: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
- NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Buffalo, NY
Safety Training
- ISAF Offshore Safety Regulations Appendix G – Training
- Personal Offshore Safety and Sea Survival
