Patos Island Race Tracker Failure

Swiftsure

April16,2014
forimmediaterelease
 
During the recent Patos IslandRacehosted bySidneyNorthSaanichYachtClub(SNSYC)racersand fansweredisappointedin theRaceTrackerprovided by the Swiftsure International Raceorganizationwhenitfailedduringtherace.The Swiftsure organization deeply regrets thisfailurethatpersisteddespitemakingeveryeffort  to solve the difficulties during the race. The problem, however, did not originate with theSwiftsureRaceTracker technologywhichdisplays thedata feed from the SPOTunitslocatedoneachcompetingboat.ThefailurewasrelatedtoaGlobalstarserverthat receives the data feed via satellite. They were unable to identify andcorrect the sourceof the technical failure before the end of thePatos Island Raceleavingtheracewithnotracking/viewingsystem.Globalstarhasassuredusthatithassincecorrectedtheproblem.
 
The race tracking system relies on thepositioninformationtransmittedfrom theSPOT units via Globalstar’s satellite network. If the supporting technologiesunderlying thiscomplex system fail, then the entireTrackerSystem falls over.Noamount of technicalwizardry on thepart ofSwiftsuretechnologistswillmake thesystemworkifthereliabilityofthefeedfromGlobalstariscompromised.
 
TheSwiftsureRaceCommitteewouldliketoremindracers,andraceplanners,thatalthoughtheRaceTrackerisnotareplacement for theGlobalMarineDistressandSafetySystem (GMDSS),itisstillanimportantsafety tool.Duringanyoutage(liketherecentoutageduringthePatosIslandRace)Globalstarstaffmanuallymonitorall911/SOSmessages,andshouldaSPOTusersignalanemergency,theircoordinateswouldhavebeenrelayed toGEOSandrescueserviceswouldhavebeenemployed.TheRaceTrackerisalsoavaluablesystemfortrackingracing/retiredcompetitors,andforwatchingthecompetition.Marinersandshoresupportorganizationsshouldconsider the Race Trackerasbothan information system andasecondarysafetysystemforboatsonthewater.
 
Globalstarisworkinghardtoensure100%reliabilityoftheSPOTsystem,andtheyaremitigatingriskof futuresimilarincidentsbypostponingsoftwaremaintenanceactivities,andbyprovidinganopenlineofcommunicationduringanyraces.
 
FormoreinformationContact: SwiftsureOffice
RoyalVictoriaYachtClub
(250)592-9098(250)592-9098

Related Articles

LGs Award Medallion

News: Six Recognized for Outstanding Maritime Achievement in BC

Medallion featuring the artwork of Nusi Ian Reid, Heiltsuk Nation. Photo courtesy of the Maritime Museum of BC. Nov 21, 2024 A collaboration between the Government House Foundation and the Maritime Museum of BC, the recipients for the 2nd annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement, were announced last week. This annual award recognizes and acknowledges individuals and…

MacDonald Turkey Point Marina raises $22,600 for the London Children’s Health Foundation

MacDonald Turkey Point Marina raises $22,600 for the London Children’s Health Foundation

Nov 7, 2024 On Friday, October 11th, 2024, Brad Thomson, General Manager of MacDonald Turkey Point Marina presented a cheque for $22,600 to Jennifer Baxter of the London Children’s Health Foundation. Also on hand for the cheque presentation alongside Brad, was Haldimand-Norfolk MPP, Bobbi Anne Brady, Dan Demeester, Julie Thomson, Norfolk County Mayor, Amy Martin, and Norfolk County Councillor, Chris VanPaassen. Our 2024…

Video Gallery

Four Winns H9

By Andy Adams

Stunning new flagship in Four Winns’ bow rider line. Next Wednesday, October 30, at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the public will get its first in-person look at Four Winns’ stunning new H9 model, the flagship of their bowrider series. But we were invited to the dealer unveiling in Charlevoix, Michigan earlier this past summer to run Hull # 2.

Read More

Destinations

Hiding Out in Belize

By Zuzana Prochazka

Dodging holiday havoc in the tropics

Getting out of town was top-of-mind as it was only November and I was already saturated with Christmas traditions – the music, the glitter, the cookies, the sales. A week in relatively remote Belize was the siren song so we booked a 45-foot catamaran with The Moorings and packed our bags.

Read More

Lifestyle