Protecting sailing enthusiasts

Standards New Zealand Media Release

9 October 2009

Protecting sailing enthusiasts from danger and drowning

A new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard will help prevent death and injury to sailors attached to sailing trapezes on small craft, by ensuring they can release themselves from the wire hooking them to the boat in emergencies.

Small craft – Quick release system for trapeze harness, ISO 10862:2009, provides requirements and test methods to ensure the correct operation of safety release devices. The Standard will be of interest to sailing associations, retailers, and manufacturers of sailing equipment.

'This Standard is great news for manufacturers of sailing trapezes who will now have one global source for safety requirements,' said Ken Kershaw, a recreational craft safety expert involved in the development of ISO 10862 and other small craft ISO Standards. 'ISO 10862 includes a number of important features which could save a sailor's life.'

Although statistically sailing is one of the safer leisure activities, a number of incidents, sometimes fatal, have been reported involving trapeze wires.

To order or download this ISO Standard, visit www.standards.co.nz, enter ‘10862’ as the keyword in the search area and click ‘ISO’, email enquiries@standards.co.nz, or call customer services on 0800 782 632.

Get the latest Standards news at www.standards.co.nz/touchstone.

ENDS

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