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

Maiden Now in Theatres

Maiden Now in Theatres

The crew is all women led by Tracy Edwards, Dawn Riley and their wonderful crew. In a refurbished boat they won two of the toughest legs sponsored by King Hussein of Jordan. They sailed into Fort Lauderdale dressed in their swimsuits proud to be women. The crowd was overwhelming.

Video Gallery

Pursuit S268 Sport CC

By Andy Adams

The Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console is a do-it-all kind of boat with a solid sense of style. Centre console designs have been developed for the southern blue water sport fishing enthusiasts (and this boat would raise fish with the best of them) but the Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console offers far more utility and enjoyment than just fishing.

Read More

Destinations

Bayfield Marine Turns 40 with Big April Events

(l to r) Holly, Adam, Pat, Ron, Shelley

Ron and Pat Reder started out in October 1984 across the road from where they are right now on the Bayfield River in Bayfield ON. The store front was about 10 x 20 and the rest of that side of the building was a stock room, wood finishing room, then behind that was more back stock and the lunchroom. Expanding every few years for the store front, then moving over to this new building five years ago, this year with Adam, Shelley, and Holly are carrying on the business.

Read More

Lifestyle