Molokai Hoe coming up pretty soon. I remember a lot of chatter about making the race safer....prop cages on outboards and stern drives and delaying the first change out to over an hour so we can get more spread on the boats and hopefully reduce accidents. Did anything change or is it going to be status quo?
Submitted by poidog on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 1:04pm
I'm pretty sure they implemented prop guards and mandatory insurance for escort boats. Not sure if anything else was implemented.
#1 Fri, 07/15/2011 - 1:27pm
I emailed organizers 2 months ago and heard nothing.
I hope we hear proactive communication about this.
I am concerned that 100 escort boat captains will hit the stores at the same time and will not be able to get a prop guard.
#2 Sun, 07/17/2011 - 4:21am
Kona...glad you tried to check out any rules changes. There has not been anything posted yet in the 2011 race rules.. If there is not enough lead time to implement necessary equipment modifications there are going to be problems. Somehow the escort boat operators will have to be notified. If the prop guards are necessary it will limit the number of escort boats available....especially for the "last minute" ones.
Still possible...no guards required this year. ????
#3 Sun, 07/17/2011 - 6:47am
Safety is of utmost importance to distance race organizers. Representatives from Moloka'i Hoe, Na Wahine, the Queen Lili'uokalani Races, the Pailolo Challenge, and the Maui Nui Race met for several hours to discuss safety. Keep in mind each race is different and requires different procedures and rules, for example when the first/last change can occur and where/when to do a radio check.
The goal of the representatives at this meeting was to develop general safety guidelines that apply to every race. If the general safety guidelines are the same for all of these races the hope is that there is a higher level of compliance and as a result safer races. It's all about developing safe habits on the part of paddlers, coaches, boat captains, and officials.
One of the tricky things for race organizers is compliance. We have been advised that we cannot make a rule unless we can enforce it. We have to ask ourselves "What can we realistically enforce on race day? Can we inspect every escort boat for prop guards? Can we require every escort boat/crew to do a radio check at the start and finish? Can we require every escort boat to have insurance? Can we require every paddler, boat captain, boat helper to sign a waiver?"
Again, safety is of utmost importance to race organizers. We love canoe racing. We love meeting people who come from any distance to do our races. We love seeing eager paddlers on the start line, their teammates cheering them on escort boats, and then their happy/exhausted faces at the finish line. We love to see them wearing our race shirts and telling stories about the awesome time they had doing our race. We are paddlers ourselves and are friends/family with many of the participants. Above all we are safety minded people who want EVERYONE to reach the beach safely.
#4 Mon, 07/18/2011 - 2:24pm
I should have signed my last post...
Kaimana Brummel
Pailolo Challenge
#5 Mon, 07/18/2011 - 2:32pm
Having seen prop guards in use with surf life saving AUS and my job where we have implement prop guards.They do perform a vital role, but there are downsides. It will be interesting see how many boats would agree to fit a guards to their engines. It usally involves drilling holes in the leg, but there may be different guards available that dont require this process. There is a drop in engine performance and the engine will generally use more fuel. I imagine most operators would remove them after the race. Has anyone costed the recommendations?
Safe Paddling.
#6 Tue, 07/19/2011 - 12:20am
I have sent 3 emails regarding safety to the organizers of the Molokai Hoe and OCHRA with no response whatsoever. What I have heard from the paddling community is that the organizers are not being proactive to improve the safety of this race. Having paddled in the Molokai Hoe for the last five years it is my strong opinion that the most dangerous part of this race is the first change. I personally almost got run over by an escort boat my second year and have heard many close-call horror stories from other paddlers about the first change. It is not surprising given all the factors that collide into one another during the first change. First, at La’au Point you have the intersecting cross-currents and wind swells; second, you have a 100+ amped escort captains at the 30 minute mark throttling and weaving to desperately find their canoe while yelling on the VHF, “Where is canoe 86, I can’t find canoe 86!” all the time creating huge wakes; and third, you have numerous pods of paddlers, helpless as sitting ducks, bobbing up and down in the churned water. It is a paddler's version of "Saving Private Ryan". The modification that the Molokai Hoe organizers could make to greatly improve safety during the first change is simple. Set two official boats (of which there are many) at La’au Point 100-200 yards apart and have all the canoes go through this check-point gate as the officials call out the number on each canoe. When a escort driver hears his canoe # called out he can move in at a reasonable speed (5-10 knots—instead of 15 to 25+ knots) and make contact with his team. After contact has been made the change is held for 5-10 minutes and then initiated about a mile off La’au Point where the ocean opens up. The overall effect on the paddlers is that the first change is held an extra 10-15 minutes, which does not seem like a big deal to me; just put your strongest paddlers who like to go the distance in the canoe at Hale’o’Lono. Currently, the manner in which the first change is set up by the organizers of this race (which is where Luke Evslin was seriously injured last year and almost killed) is inherently dangerous. No action to responsibly address the safety of this race (given the three serious injuries of last year) is an action in itself. It is called an act of omission, or legally—negligence. There is no virtue in being an ostrich.
#7 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 8:13pm
That is a great idea for the first change of a race Cliff! Even though I've never participated in Molokai, I think we can definitely utilize that sort of idea here in Cali as well to avoid the first change fiasco that always happens.
#8 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 9:08am
A few further thoughts on Molokai Hoe safety are (1). Safety Manual: The organizers should put together a simple little safety manual for escort drivers (with the input of the paddling community) that could be handed out to each team in their race pack. (2) Prop Guards: I am going to install prop guards on my out-boards next weekend. I bought mine on-line at: www.getaprop.com They are claiming: "Test data indicates outstanding gain in overall Boat Performance,with the Propeller Guard installed...Significant greater thrust; Higher cruising at minimum motor RPM RESULTING IN FUEL SAVINGS; Significant directional steering control; Outstanding boat leveling trim control; Complete Propeller protection; Significant reduction of Propeller wake."
#9 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 9:17am
Great idea on the gates, why not have 2 gates?
1 gate north, 1 gate south.
You get/HAVE to choose BEFORE the race start which way to go, which gate to go thru.
Now the fleet is split in 2.
Half the amount of boats in each area for the change but 1 start.
Just an Idea ???
#10 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 10:07am
There are so many issues that come alive here on OCpaddler and then fade to the background. I am really really happy to see that this is an issue that hasn't faded away. It is something that needs to be addressed and I think that this website is a great tool to address it, because it's one of the only ways to get our voices heard.
For me, I feel that my accident was a warning of the potential dangers. Somebody will die if there are no safety protocols. And now that I acutely know the dangers, the blood will be on my hands for not doing everything in my power to push for safety protocols.
There are a ton of good ideas out there. In my opinion, Cliff's idea is the best of all those that have been proposed and it would be a shame if it wasn't enacted. I think that two other very simple additions to his plan would go a long way. 1) There needs to be a very simple written safety protocol. An engine can not be engaged until a third party calls an all clear when the paddlers are free of the boat. 2) And the entry fee should go up 10% for all teams without a prop guard. But, any boat with a verified prop guard wont pay the 10% fee. So that clubs could take the initiative to purchase prop guards for their usual escorts.
On the flip side, I feel that OHCRA understands the danger and I hope that they are doing everything in their power to make the race safe. The Moloka'i race directors Luana and Stan are really good people and I don't think this is something that they're going to let slide. Race directors get so much heat for everything that goes wrong, but I do trust that they are doing their best to make the race as fun, competitive, and safe as possible. It was good to see Kaimana's perspective as a race director. There is always a lot going on that we (as participants) don't see. They have to consider enforceability and (unfortunately) legal ramifications of everything they do. And I do trust/hope that they will make the best decision given the available options.
I think that the best thing we can do is to keep talking about it, keep emailing the race directors, and keep our voices in the mix. In the end, OHCRA is made up of representatives of our clubs. So our voices do go a long way. Prop injuries are preventable, we just need to figure out how. I know that I will never do the race again without new safety regulations.
#11 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 11:16am
While I love Luke's idea about creating an incentive for prop guards, and while I think it'd be great if all escort boats had prop guards, I think getting all or even most escort boats to have prop guards, whether by mandate or incentive, isn't realistic. I'll write about why below because it's gonna be long.
I think the number one most important thing is educating the escort boat captains on how to drop off and pick up paddlers from the water. The hard part is how to do that effectively. Cliff has a good idea about creating a simple safety manual, but realistically, how are you going to make sure the boat captains read and understand it? It's hard enough just to get them to know which channel to check in on. Make them sign something that says they read and understand it? How many of you read the license agreement in iTunes before clicking "I agree?" Most boat captains will figure they know what they're doing and won't read it. Maybe make them take a short test that demonstrates they understand it? I don't think turning in a test with their waiver would be effective because they won't get feedback. Maybe an online test? I'd be happy to set that up if they think it would work. This is rhetorical - I don't have a perfect solution. Ideally you'd make them all attend some sort of class or meeting, but that's just not realistic. Maybe have some incentive similar to Luke's prop guard incentive for having a captain that attended a safety meeting and/or passed a quiz?
I do like the idea of making the first change later. I have no doubt that changing in the additional crowd and sloppier water is a recipe for disaster. With the sloppier water, it's harder to control the boat decreasing the margin of error when it comes to approaching a paddler in the water. It also clearly requires more maneuvering to get around other boats making it harder to approach your paddlers, plus the increased possibility of running over another crew's paddlers in the water. Another factor that I haven't seen on this one is the safety of the paddlers getting into the canoe. The sloppier the water the higher the chance of injury, say from the canoe slamming down on a paddler's head to dislocating a shoulder trying to get in the canoe while it launches upward. Obviously those thing can occur anywhere in the race but why not try to mitigate it a little?
All the talk about prop guards increasing efficiency bugs the crap out of me. Go ahead and skip this paragraph if you want to just take my word for it that that prop guards decrease efficiency. Prop Gaurd(tm) seems to have good marketspeak telling us that it increases efficiency, I've gotta call BS on that one. There are so many things wrong with their claims that I could write pages on it, but I'll try to trim it down a little bit. First off, the only places where it actually increases efficiency is by reducing cavitation in tight turns at high speed, and by acting as a trim device - serving the same function as a whale tail or trim tabs - to make the boat plane a little faster. While this might increase efficiency in very isolated tests, there's no way this even comes close to balancing out the increased drag the rest of the time. Secondly, they claim that the prop guard increases efficiency based on research in ducted propellers. The physics doesn't add up. Ducted propellers are beneficial in two situations. First, with an accelerating duct (aka Kort nozzle), which increases efficiency at low speeds with high loads such as in a tugboat situation. The second situation is with a decelerating duct, which is used either as a pump jet or as shrouded prop to decrease noise on a submarine or torpedo to make it quieter to sonar. The decelerating duct is clearly not applicable here, and the prop guards we're talking about do not create a Kort nozzle. It is not an accelerating nozzle because it's not the right shape, and even so, in order for that to work you have to have very small clearance between the propeller and the shroud to reduce tip vortex, and there's no way you're going to achieve that with a molded plastic shroud surrounding an off the shelf prop. I just don't buy it, but feel free to show me some real data that proves me wrong (and not the skewed isolated test data on Prop Gaurd(tm)'s website).
What all that crap I wrote above boils down to is the economics of it. While it would be super awesome to be able to do everything technically possible to increase safety, let's not kid ourselves, economics plays a major role. If it didn't we'd all be driving around in $300k Volvos, and we'd all own EPIRBs to carry when we paddle. Prop guards cost upwards of $200. For many boats that means an extra $400. That's nearly 50% of the entry fee, so an incentive of 10% of the entry fee has an ROI of 5 years. I don't think most clubs or boat captains would go for that based solely on the incentive. Not that I don't think it's still a great idea, I'm sure some still would but certainly not a majority, and some is better than none. But that's not even including the increased fuel usage from the drag of the thing. That means escort boats will have to raise their fees even more to offset the increased fuel cost. Again, I'm not writing off the idea of encouraging prop guards, I just don't think it's feasible to expect it.
#12 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 1:40pm
with close to 120 crews in last years event, does it come down to staggering the start and chipping each individual canoe similar to a time trial? it's not as exciting as the group start, but does reduces the amount of people in the water at the first change (due to staggering) and also creates the suspense of not knowing which crew is in the lead. total time in the water wouldn't be know until crossing the finish line. ie top 50 from previous year earned their spot in the first start group...everyone else is placed into the second group. 15 minute delay between starts. even if you are the first to cross the line in waiks from the first group, you might not be the winner because some crew which started with the second group might end up with a faster start-finish time...
#13 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 2:58pm
Simplest rules are the best...
1. Boat to be in neutral before any paddler approaches
2. Boat to stay in neutral until all paddlers safely on board (use crew members to act as lookouts)
3. Delaying & having the first change over in less challenging conditions also makes a lot of sense
4. Separate change zones for different crews - women change first/earlier, then men in another zone
No need to force escort boats to install prop guards.
#14 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 4:36pm
I like the idea of boat driver education especially focused on water changes. Lets get them certified. I'd be happy to throw in my services to make the manual. I also plan now to do a story in the October issue on this topic to help get the word out.
Cliff's ideas to delay the first change seems like the best plan to get away from the ""Saving Private Ryan" moment. Well written. I have been in that situation off La’au Point myself, bobbing around as escort boats fly by. What happened last year to Luke must be or learned from.
Ropati
#15 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 10:18pm
Since I am a boat captain my personal take on prop guards is no to madnatory compliance to participate in races.
1. My reason is that the issue is clubs hiring Cheapest or inexpierenced boats with people never doing or practiced being a escort boat.
2. Clubs will have to take-up additional cost to offset guards as majority will have to be fabricated from scratch
so 2 engines (2x)
3.Boat fees will rise, and Captains will be picky if they want to participate or not. Some people think if boat captains don't go they lose out.....answer is NO
4. Rules for steersmen stating that escort boats picking-up paddlers will be avoided since most are dead in the water with no directional control. As some will not give-up their line to avoid collision boats make dangerou
s moves last minute.
5. Also paddling officials pretty much know escort boats and captains with prior expierience so these boats normally meet your proposed changes and follow current rules from start to finish.
#16 Thu, 07/21/2011 - 11:54pm
Whatever happens PLEASE keep the cost and prices down.
I just checked flights to Molokai. There is at least a $60 dollar increase from last year. That is for Go and Island Air.
What I paid $80 for last year is $140 and that is booking early. Booking late and you will probably eat another $100 dollars.
Rental Cars and lodging have increased as well and with Gas get ready to pay a lot for escort boat.
This year I am hearing more and more that guys just don;t have the money to do Molokai. That is sad on many levels.
#17 Fri, 07/22/2011 - 2:02pm
Checked the Molokai hoe website for 2011 rules... still no changes. Too late for prop guards but not too late to think about a later change or a staggered changeout. Escort boats with stopped engines should have right of way...canoes should avoid. Nothing else has changed.
Be sure everyone wears the same crew jersey though.
#18 Fri, 07/22/2011 - 5:50pm
requiring all boats to have prop-guards? you gotta be on crack!!! only the /boats with outboard engines can run prop-guards, what about the boats with straight-shafts? at LEAST half the boats that escort are straight-shafts as are almost all the official boats. if you require escort boats to have prop-guards it stands to reason that ALL boats involved in the race have prop-guards as well since they would be required to pick up paddlers in an emergency situation. as a boat owner, captain and paddler, i'll tell you this straight up,no BS. the canoe clubs/racers need the escort boats more than they need you. sure , the extra money earned is all good, but it's not like we need it to survive. most do as a way to make extra money, fish on the way up and to connect and party with friends. i think the organizers require all escort boats to be at least 21', go and check out Lono or K-KAI on saturday and see how many boats are able to install prop-guards. don't be fooled into thinking there are an endless supply of escort boats out there. the race organizers have to get their shit together, either do a staggered start or as a canoe is exiting Lono, the official boat should contact the escort boat over VHF and have the escort boat in the vicinity of the canoe at the start of the race. that way there is not so much chaos at the start/first change! really, THIS is not rocket-science. race officials have to do something about the start of the race or the paddlers will end up paying WAY more for escorts or have inexperienced escort boats.
#19 Sun, 07/24/2011 - 11:51pm
As far as prop guards....for which there will be resistance due to cost and a reluctance to put them on...they should not be required on inboards ....inboards are the safest boats as far as prop injury since the props are well under the hull, protected by the rudder and and there is usually a swim step.
I agree....look at the start and tweak it...plus make sure...as already mentioned.. that there is someone at the stern to give the captain the ok to go (does not have to be a rule...just common sense ).
#20 Mon, 07/25/2011 - 7:55am
Lilo. For the record I agree with your post. First and foremost the paddling community needs to express its gratitude to all the boat owners/captains who are supporting our sport by their willingness and commitment to act as official and escort boats during the Molokai Hoe. Big Mahalos go out to you guys. We are all part of one ‘Ohana-of-the-Ocean’. It is our shared love of the ocean and the bonds of camaraderie that we have collectively forged over the years that bring us together each October. Accidents happen. We all need to learn from them and move forward. There is no one panacea to make any given challenging activity ‘safe’. The safety net for a challenging group activity like the Molokai Hoe is our collective awareness as paddlers, coaches/helpers, officials and captains. I think this on-going dialogue on OC Paddler has been very helpful in elevating this awareness. There is work afoot to create a simple (hopefully pictorial) safety manual before this year’s Molokai races. From my perspective this is the most important and responsible step towards addressing the outstanding safety concerns of Hawaii’s long-distance canoe races requiring changes (and therefore escorts). Aloha.
#21 Mon, 07/25/2011 - 8:49am
chip the boats and start 25 of em at a time; stagger each group by 20 minutes.
if ny-roadrunners can send 40,000 people thru NYC streets without creating a stampede, ohra can organize room for the first 100 boat changes of an open ocean race
#22 Tue, 07/26/2011 - 6:38am
Nappy's Take:
Needless to say, we have had a number of discussions about Luke's accident and steps to take.
Nappy feels that the number one cause for problems is inexperienced boat operators, that is drivers who have not done much escorting. He is a proponent of requiring certification as mentioned in the comments above.
Prop guards? Of some benefit but many won't have them because of expense and again problems can still occur because of boat drivers who as he says just don't know what they are doing. Safety being the primary concern, it is crucial to have people on the water who are qualified.
Although at this point we don't know what organizers are going to implement, for us the past two years, we have trained and planned for a longer first leg so we are well clear of the chaos of the first change. Paddling through the chop and turbulent waters right off La'au last year, we were very glad that we there was no change for us until we were well into the open ocean and the field was spreading out. Wave starts with the elite crews off and running first would seem to be a reasonable solution. Or requiring a longer period before the first change with the the gate approach as well. Finally although a serious break in tradition, of course just making it an iron race period (gasp!)
Of most importance now is to make sure organizers keep us all in the loop as to what is happening and make sure the problem is being addressed in plenty of time.
#23 Tue, 07/26/2011 - 6:29pm