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

Video Gallery

Starcraft SV 16 OB

By Craig Ritchie

Photos by Starcraft Marine

Building great boats has always come down to a mix of art and science, and that’s particularly true when it comes to meeting the biggest challenge of all—creating an appealing yet affordable family runabout. Buyers want a boat that is affordable but not stripped to the bare bones.

Enter Starcraft and its delightful SV 16 OB, an all-new-for-2025 family deck boat that elegantly balances comfort, amenities and affordability.

Read More

Destinations

The Erie Canal – An Extraordinary Waterway

By Mark Stevens

Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens

As I shift our chartered canal boat into neutral, I’m soothed by the soundtrack of bird calls, the occasional plaintive horn of a distant train and the hum of our engine.

I reach for the VHF to radio the lockmaster in charge of Erie Canal’s Lock 32 dead ahead. Our boat spins gently in the current like a maple key in a mud puddle.

“This is Onondaga,” I say. “Headed westbound and requesting passage.”

Read More

Lifestyle