What is Entrapment?

Dinghy Sailing: Fun and Risks

Dinghy sailing is a fantastic sport that relies on the natural elements of wind and water.  While bringing fun and enjoyment to sailors, the natural forces may lead to capsizing and entrapment.  For athletes to fully enjoy the sport, they must be aware of the risks involved and learn how to deal with them.

A capsized dinghy

                        A capsized dinghy

Reducing the Risk of Entrapment

  • Keep all lines and sheets organised in the boat to avoid being caught in them in case of capsizing.
  • Always wear a buoyancy aid, which is essential for safe dinghy sailing.  Make sure it is well-fitting and worn properly.
  • Wear clothing and equipment that are unlikely to get snagged and can be gotten rid of easily.
  • Make sure the masthead flotation device is properly inflated and/or fixed.  The device keeps the boat from inverting when capsized.
  • Use elastic tie-backs or tie-downs to prevent the centre board/dagger board from retracting during inversions.
  • Do not push the centre board/dagger board back into the board case in case of capsizing or inversion.
  • Have proper training in using trapezes and harnesses.
  • Have proper training in capsize recovery and practise regularly.
  • If both the helmsman and the sailor fall into water when the boat is capsized or inverted, they should keep communicating and updating each other of their respective status.

 

 Well-fitting buoyancy aid Properly inflated masthead flotation device
Well-fitting buoyancy aid Properly inflated masthead flotation device

 

Freeing Yourself from Entrapment

  • Stay calm and do not panic.  If you are wearing the buoyancy aid properly, it will keep you afloat with your head above water.
  • Try to figure out what has caused the entrapment.
  • Unclip the hook of the trapeze.
  • Untangle yourself from lines, sheets or toe straps.
  • Remove the harness.
  • To rescue a trapped sailor, the most effective way is to right the boat as rapidly as possible. To do that, the other sailor can climb onto the centre board and lever the boat upright with his/her weight.   
 Capsize recovery
Capsize recovery

 

Sources:
1.    Ritchie, David. “RYA research into Dinghy Entrapments.” Last modified March 2005.
http://www.rya.org.uk/sitecollectiondocuments/training/Web%20Documents/RYA%20Training/Training%20centres/Dinghy/TRA%20Entrapments%20report.pdf.

2.    ISAF. “RYA Releases Dinghy Entrapment Research Findings.” Last modified March 12, 2005.
http://www.sailing.org/news/1016.php.

3.    RYA. “Lessons to be learnt following tragic accident at Kielder Water.” Last modified September 7, 2009.
http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/news/Pages/LessonstobelearntfollowingtragicaccidentatKeilderWater.aspx.

4.    Silk, Martin. “Entrapment – Yachting Australia Instructor Conference 2011.” Last modified June 7, 2011.
http://www.yachting.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/entrapment-handout-for-instructors.pdf.

5.    Yachting Australia. “Safety Information Notice No.1 of 2015 – Trapeze Harnesses and Entrapment.” Last modified March 13, 2015. http://www.yachting.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SIN-1-150313-Trapeze-Harnesses-and-Entrapment-FINAL.pdf.

 
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