Mediation aimed at reaching agreement on implementing 37 safety recommendations formerly issued by Regatta Director Iain Murray has concluded after four days.
“The four teams agreed on the vast majority of the safety recommendations,” said Bryan Willis, one of the two International Jury members acting as mediators. “It was a useful and positive exercise and ended with only a couple of points unresolved.”
All 37 of the Regatta Director safety recommendations, developed in consultation with the teams following the fatal capsize of Artemis Racing last month, will remain part of the Marine Event Permit application previously submitted to the US Coast Guard.
“I want to thank the mediators for their work, as the process was beneficial,” Murray said. “It was useful to hear the teams’ perspective on safety from a competitive viewpoint.
“But as Regatta Director, I have a clear task. For me, safety means safety for everyone. Full stop. I stand behind all of the original recommendations to increase safety for all of our sailors this summer.
“If the recommendations are included by the Coast Guard in our Marine Event Permit then I will issue a Regatta Notice harmonizing the various Rule documents to reflect the safety recommendations.
“I look forward to working with the Coast Guard, teams and other stakeholders to ensure we run a safe and successful America’s Cup this summer.”