Ken,
So it was a category 3 event that caused this entire thing and what makes it sad is it’s the least participated in category by USMS and most other open water events. I think the distinction is clear and something many of the race directors have been trying to convey to the USMS powers that be.
I believe “the USMS powers that be”, at least some of them fully understand the difference risks inherent in different categories of open water events. Members of the task force and board have: swum the English Channel, won the MIMS (men’s category) , competed in USA-S OW national championships (including the 25K), competed in professional marathon races, been race officials for FINA OW world championships, as well as organized, directed and participated in hundreds if not thousands of open water events.
There are lots of other external factors that also need to be accounted for, such as body of water (lake, river, ocean), water/air temperature, type of start (in/out of water, mass start, time trial, wave), other marine traffic, water quality, marine life, finish, etc. These and a lot more need to be assessed to determine risk and safety needs of the event.
But does the board think what the insurance provider required acceptable or unacceptable?This is kind of moot, we got the best insurance available. Would we have liked lower costs and fewer restrictions? Sure, but to meet our coverage needs we needed to pay the cost and abide by the restrictions. The crux of the matter addressed by the powers that be was to comply with 2013 insurance coverage requirements. These included:
1) All motorized watercraft must have propeller guards – we worked with our insurer to get this restriction greatly reduced
2) All watercraft must have a certificate of insurance listing USMS as an insured – again working with our insurer we were able to reach a compromise solution
3) Each sanctioned event will cost USMS $1,800 for insurance – this one stuck, but USMS decided to absorb $800 of each fee and most LMSC’s are picking up all or part of the remaining $1,000.
Moving forward into the 2014 season and beyond what are USMS OW goals going to be regarding this?A great question, one the Board raised not so long ago. The answer is yet to be determined.
Ken,
So it was a category 3 event that caused this entire thing and what makes it sad is it’s the least participated in category by USMS and most other open water events. I think the distinction is clear and something many of the race directors have been trying to convey to the USMS powers that be.
I believe “the USMS powers that be”, at least some of them fully understand the difference risks inherent in different categories of open water events. Members of the task force and board have: swum the English Channel, won the MIMS (men’s category) , competed in USA-S OW national championships (including the 25K), competed in professional marathon races, been race officials for FINA OW world championships, as well as organized, directed and participated in hundreds if not thousands of open water events.
There are lots of other external factors that also need to be accounted for, such as body of water (lake, river, ocean), water/air temperature, type of start (in/out of water, mass start, time trial, wave), other marine traffic, water quality, marine life, finish, etc. These and a lot more need to be assessed to determine risk and safety needs of the event.
But does the board think what the insurance provider required acceptable or unacceptable?This is kind of moot, we got the best insurance available. Would we have liked lower costs and fewer restrictions? Sure, but to meet our coverage needs we needed to pay the cost and abide by the restrictions. The crux of the matter addressed by the powers that be was to comply with 2013 insurance coverage requirements. These included:
1) All motorized watercraft must have propeller guards – we worked with our insurer to get this restriction greatly reduced
2) All watercraft must have a certificate of insurance listing USMS as an insured – again working with our insurer we were able to reach a compromise solution
3) Each sanctioned event will cost USMS $1,800 for insurance – this one stuck, but USMS decided to absorb $800 of each fee and most LMSC’s are picking up all or part of the remaining $1,000.
Moving forward into the 2014 season and beyond what are USMS OW goals going to be regarding this?A great question, one the Board raised not so long ago. The answer is yet to be determined.
