USMS OW SANCTIONING

david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
edited February 2013 in General Discussion
My guess is that the Maui Channel accident has led to this reevaluation.

Memorandum
URGENT: Open Water Event Sanctioning

December 31, 2012
Due to claims made against USMS's insurance policy in the recent past, USMS is faced with a liability insurance premium that is significantly higher than in previous years. In an effort to address certain limitations in the new coverage, help defray the expense of the increased premium, and reduce the likelihood of additional premium increases in the future, USMS Board President Nadine Day has assembled a task force to review and recommend compliance requirements, administrative procedures, and insurance fees for USMS open water events.

The task force is chaired by Phil Dodson and includes Long Distance Chair Donn Livoni, Open Water Chair Lynn Hazlewood, Past President Rob Copeland, Legal Counsel Patty Miller, USMS board member Bruce Hopson, Treasurer Ralph Davis, President Nadine Day, and Executive Director Rob Butcher. The task force will be making formal recommendations to the USMS Board of Directors at the February 9-10 board meeting.

In the interim, USMS is placing a hold on sanctioning of new open water events until after the Board of Directors is able to review the full task force recommendations at the February 9-10 board meeting. LMSCs should not issue any sanctions to open water events until further notice. If this hold creates a substantial hardship for an open water event that needs to be sanctioned immediately, the LMSC Sanctions Chair should contact Rob Butcher (rob@usms.org) so that the task force can consider, on a case-by-case basis, whether a sanction may be issued despite the hold.

New Compliance Standards Effective Immediately
The task force has recommended, and President Day accepted, the following compliance standards that will be in effect immediately for sanctioned USMS open water events:
Sanctions may only be issued via the online sanction program at usms.org
All propeller driven watercraft used in conjunction with the sanctioned open water events must have a propeller guard(s) installed for the duration of the event. The following are exceptions:
Boats owned and operated by Coast Guard, police, fire and rescue, or other government agencies;
Boats at anchor from start to finish of the sanctioned event with engine(s) off, while any swimmer is in the water;
Boats with propellers fore of the rudder (e.g. inboard motors), provided
These boats do not run directly on the designated swim course.
For events requiring personal escort craft, water craft with inboard motors may be allowed on the course provided their engines are off when any swimmer is within 20 feet of the propeller and during relay exchanges. For feedings the swimmer may approach within 5 feet of the bow or side of boat with engines engaged.
All motorized watercraft hired for the event (by the host, participants, or others) must provide a certificate of insurance naming United States Masters Swimming, Inc., its LMSCs, officers, directors, employees, sponsors, trustees, and event host as additional insured. The certificate shall be submitted to the referee at least 24 hours prior to the event. Liability coverage limits shall not be less than $1 million with a $2 million aggregate.
All motorized watercraft volunteered to the event must provide proof of insurance. The proof of Insurance shall be submitted to the referee at least 24 hours prior to the event.
All current sanctioned USMS open water events are subject to administrative review to ensure compliance with these new standards. Any current sanctioned event not meeting these standards may have its sanction revoked and thus no liability insurance from USMS. All open water events not yet conducted may be subject an insurance surcharge, amount to be determined.

...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

Tagged:
Jaimie
«1345

Comments

  • Does this include SOLO swims sanctioning by USMS????
  • WaterGirlWaterGirl Scottsdale, AZCharter Member
    I wish USMS sanctioning could be de-coupled from the issue of insurance. I like USMS sanctioning for the enforcement of rules (wetsuit results separated, no snorkels, etc.), but I think the insurance is a problem for a lot of race organizers.

    USMS-sanctioned events are closed to kids. Also, people who are not USMS members, triathletes for example, tend to avoid sanctioned events because of the $15 one-day fee.

    I'd like to see a USMS sanction that's just a seal of approval.
  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    USMS sanctioning fees were quite reasonable and insurance is covered for sanctioned events by membership fees. This created a desirable situation for event directors... But I'm not sure where this is going. There are certainly other insurance options available but they will cost the event $$$. The upside is that events can be opened to non USMS swimmers. The downside is there will be less value for USMS members who participate primarily in OW events if the sanctioning process becomes prohibitive.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • WaterGirlWaterGirl Scottsdale, AZCharter Member
    You think you can get a cheaper but as good an insurance without the USMS involved?
    Good luck. And if you do I bet USMC would like to do business with that insurance company also.
    All I know is that there are two open water event series here in Arizona. One used to be USMS-sanctioned, and the other one was USAT (USA Triathlon) sanctioned. Both have switched to private insurance because it's cheaper, there are fewer restrictions, and it streamlines the race-day check-in process.
  • MunatonesMunatones Charter Member
    I have participated in numerous committee meetings at USA Swimming and U.S. Masters Swimming on this issue, although I am not involved in this current committee. Insurance is a rather complicated issue and misunderstandings exist. Concurrent to these committee discussions that I participated in, there was an exponential growth in open water swimming events in the United States (and around the world) and race insurance was one of the primary issues facing race directors. So I worked with an insurance company that (a) has been around since 1917, and (b) insured a number of marine sporting events (i.e., non-open water swims) throughout the U.S. It took a lot of planning and sharing of information with the major insurance carriers, but HMBD now offers a comprehensive insurance program for open water swimming events throughout the United States as a result. The program enables race directors, committees and organizations flexibility and adequate coverage to conduct their races; coverage can be customized to the event. I use HMBD myself for many reasons. Not only does HMBD offer coverage for the race itself, its participants, spectators, volunteers and safety personnel, but also for the race director and individual committee members as well as for pre-race clinics. The program was established by insurance brokers who are also open water swimmers so they understand the myriad insurance- and event-related issues. If you would like more information, you can contact Travis England directly at tengland@hmbd.com. He is located in Long Beach, California, but the application process can be done entirely online and over the telephone. More information can be found at Openwaterpedia and on HMBD's site:

    http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Open_Water_Swimming_Insurance
    http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=HMBD
    http://openwaterpedia.com/index.php?title=Travis_England

    Steven Munatones
    www.worldopenwaterswimmingassociation.com
    Huntington Beach, California, U.S.A.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    Niek wrote:
    Here in the Netherlands the national Swimming Federation and the Triathlon Federation combined forces.
    This way a Triathlon member can participate at an openwater event under the Swimming Federation insurance without paying extra. Not for insurance and not for a licence. And vice versa of course.
    Resulting in more participants on both sides. Win-win.

    I'm an open water chair in my area, and based on a conversation with one of my contacts at the USMS National Office, there have been discussions about doing it this way, and for some reason that she was unaware of, that discussion finished without a resolution. I do wish that there could be some sort of reciprocity. It would make my job organizing events much easier.
  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    The USMS recommendations make a lot of sense regarding safety, but for some events it is logistically impossible to comply. If these changes are to be required for sanctioning and insurance then events like the Boston Light Swim will have to shop around for other event insurance options.

    As for solo swims, it is less of a problem to find an escort boat with an inboard engine and to comply with USMS's new safety requirements.
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    gregoc wrote:
    The USMS recommendations make a lot of sense regarding safety, but for some events it is logistically impossible to comply. If these changes are to be required for sanctioning and insurance then events like the Boston Light Swim will have to shop around for other event insurance options.

    As for solo swims, it is less of a problem to find an escort boat with an inboard engine and to comply with USMS's new safety requirements.

    I don't know how hard it is to get a propeller guard, but motorized boats are allowed to support the race if they are fitted with one.

  • RonCollinsRonCollins Clearwater, Florida, USAMember
    The safety precautions are good, but the real challenge is going to be the escort boats' ability to provide the insurance paperwork. Looks like Travis England is going to get a lot of business from event directors this year. Thank you, Steven, for providing the info on HMBD.

    Ron Collins
    Clearwater, Florida
    DistanceMatters.com

  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    My boat insurance company won't do a $1,000,000 / $2,000,000 policy.... I imagine that will be the case with most providers. I may be wrong, but I don't recognize any of the names on the USMS advisory committee as event directors....

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • AquaRobAquaRob Humboldt Bay, CACharter Member
    A couple years ago I was looking for someone to insure open water swims and it was pretty hard to get someone to talk to me. Most companies never wrote or called me back once swimming and oceans were mentioned. I was referred to http://www.campteam.com/ in Colorado and used them for a year. They mainly do camps and stuff like that but they were flexible with me and the rates weren't too crazy. Worth a look if you're shopping around.
  • evmoevmo SydneyAdmin
    edited January 2013
    I'm not a race director, so this discussion is a bit arcane to me at this point. With the intent of fostering more common ground:

    HERE is a description of the USMS insurance policy for 2012.

    Can someone please explain (or speculate) as to how (approximately) this applies to a case such as the Maui Channel accident? (or future such accidents)

    It appears that the USMS excess personal accident policy only covers up to $25,000, while presumably the Maui Channel incident is in the six- to seven-figure range by now. I guess I'm trying to understand how this became a big enough issue that the insurance company felt it needed to raise the premium.

    I'm guessing the USMS policy was designed mostly with pool meets and/or practices in mind, not open water events, especially open-ocean channel-type swims. For some of the "bigger" OW events (e.g., Tampa Bay, 8 Bridges, Lake Erie, Maui Channel, Boston Light), how does the coverage work? I'm thinking specifically of events requiring personal escort craft. Are the boat pilots covered by the USMS policy, or must they carry their own insurance?

    Again, I'm operating from a position of ignorance, so I'd appreciate any insights from those in the know ( @gregoc, @david_barra, @roncollins, etc.)
  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    The USMS 2012 policy covers current members and sanctioned event organizers. The $25K is for "excess personal accident insurance". This covers individuals after their personal insurance is exhausted.

    For organizers and the volunteers (escorts are considered volunteers in the BLS event), the important coverage is the "general liability" ($1 million) and "excess liability" ($9 million). This covers USMS, participant, sanctioned organizers and volunteers against lawsuits. It does not cover property (i.e. the escort boats).
  • IronMikeIronMike Northern VirginiaCharter Member
    @david_barra, are you referring to the accident in 2011 where the swimmer ended up losing an arm and part of a hand, or, God forbid, was there another incident?

    We're all just carbon, water, starlight, oxygen and dreams

  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    I have been told to expect a 2013 USMS sanction fee of $1800 for events that require motorized escort. (8 Bridges, Tampa Bay, Boston Light) It seems that if the event must fork over the entire cost of insurance, there is no benefit to having USMS membership as a prerequisite to participation.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    I have been told to expect a 2013 USMS sanction fee of $1800 for events that require motorized escort. (8 Bridges, Tampa Bay, Boston Light) It seems that if the event must fork over the entire cost of insurance, there is no benefit to having USMS membership as a prerequisite to participation.

    Wow. That sounds steep. I'm curious what they say on the conference call this weekend.
  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    edited January 2013
    I have been told to expect a 2013 USMS sanction fee of $1800 for events that require motorized escort. (8 Bridges, Tampa Bay, Boston Light) It seems that if the event must fork over the entire cost of insurance, there is no benefit to having USMS membership as a prerequisite to participation.
    @david_barra, $1800!!! Is this on top of each swimmer's USMS membership costs? There must be event insurance for less than $1800. Dave, where are you getting this information?
  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    edited January 2013
    gregoc wrote:
    @david_barra, $1800!!! Is this on top of each swimmer's USMS membership costs? There must be event insurance for less than $1800. Dave, where are you getting this information?
    From USMS:
    Dave,

    In addition to the previous communication, the task force also voted to recommend that solo swims or swims where personalized motorcraft is allowed or required would be charged an $1,800 sanction fee. In essence, we are willing to pass through our insurance cost to solo swims and swims where personalized motorcraft is allowed or required.

    The view of the task force is that this is appropriate given the membership dues of the entire 58,000 USMS pays for the liability insurance that is being extended to these unique type swims.

    Please know, this recommendation still needs to be accepted by the USMS board however we wanted you to have this information as soon as possible so you can plan ahead for an $1,800 sanction charge for the 8 Bridges event.

    ... Rob

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • bobswimsbobswims Santa Barbara CACharter Member
    When I saw these rules I was first concerned that it did not give some race directors enough time to make the transition. Particularly I was thinking about Ron's Tampa Bay swim. I think it would be great if USMS could provide some administrative support to help RDs make the transition (if they haven't offered yet).

    If people have any questions about the nature and extent of coverage the USMS coverage or any other liability policy I'd be happy to give you my "thoughts". I litigated liability policies and gave advice on them to clients (including insurance companies) for many years. I was not involved in the acquisition of policies.

    Evmo if you PM with some details we can chat about it.

    However, based on the policy language referred to the $25,000 excess coverage offered by USMS is not liability coverage, but instead would cover the medical expenses identified which are not covered by your own health insurance coverage (if you have any). It appears that the policy offers $1 million in liability coverage per occurrence if the policy acts as primary coverage. There is no limit on the number of occurrences that are covered in a policy year. It also has $9 million in coverage if the policy is deemed to be excess over other liability coverage. There is a yearly maximum of $9 million regardless of the number of occurrences. This is just a general description of the coverages involved without addressing any of the policy details.
  • RonCollinsRonCollins Clearwater, Florida, USAMember
    Thanks for thinking of us, Bob. Actually, our first open water event in Tampa Bay is this Sunday, so this may be coming sooner than expected.

    Ron Collins
    Clearwater, Florida
    DistanceMatters.com

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    RonCollins wrote:
    Thanks for thinking of us, Bob. Actually, our first open water event in Tampa Bay is this Sunday, so this may be coming sooner than expected.

    Based on what was discussed on last night's phone call, I don't think that very much will be fully understood and cleared up before the event next weekend. Rob Butcher said that sometime between now and April, when there are more events, they'll have a better understanding. Sounds like they are working hard on trying to figure it out.
  • RonCollinsRonCollins Clearwater, Florida, USAMember
    I hope I'm wrong, but I've heard from our Sanctions Chair that this Sunday's Frogman sanction has been withdrawn. I also spoke to Rob Copeland, past USMS President and open water swimmer and race director, and he lead me to believe they weren't going to do anything until April. I guess this insurance company has really got the national organization by the "short 'n' curlies."

    Ron Collins
    Clearwater, Florida
    DistanceMatters.com

  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    Maybe it is time for USMS to shop around for new coverage. I know I am.
  • evmoevmo SydneyAdmin
    I can report that the SBCSA goes through The Camp Team for its insurance. The Camp Team uses Francis L. Dean as its underwriter - which interestingly, is the same underwriter used by HMBD, which @Munatones recommended. Even more interestingly, NYC Swim apparently uses Francis Dean directly for their insurance.

    In other words, everything seems to go through Francis Dean.
  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    @evmo, very interesting. I have been in touch with HMBD and Francis L. Dean directly. I'll report on what I learn regarding OW swim event insurance shortly.
  • RonCollinsRonCollins Clearwater, Florida, USAMember
    edited January 2013
    I spoke to the Frogman Asst. Race Director, and USMS has definitely pulled their sanction on the event. The fact they pulled it only 4 days before the event http://www.tampabayfrogman.com/ is troubling, and is verification of how serious this situation has become. Within 48 hours, their race directors had to scramble to secure alternate insurance, and they will ask all entrants to sign off on a new waiver at check in. Our LMSC Sanctions Chair has already issued 4 sanctions for open water events for 2013, and it seems likely that we all will need to find an alternative to working through USMS.

    Ron Collins
    Clearwater, Florida
    DistanceMatters.com

  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    Please continue to share info on this thread. CIBBOWS will have a BOD meeting on 1/15 to address how to move forward with the 6+ OW events that we have scheduled for 2013.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    I got word through the grapevine of some developments from the USMS Financial Committee. Not sure when it's going to the board for review:
    A brief recap of the FC meeting tonight regarding the Sanction OW Task Force recommendation for
    Sanction Fees/Insurance Surcharges:

    -          The consensus of the committee is that a per swimmer fee is not feasible for 2013. We don’t have
    the means at the national level to track and collect, which leaves us with the other option of flat fee per
    event.

    -          Agreed that no charge can be levied on the 2013 national OW events which are under contract.

    -          To accept the Task Force recommendation to charge solo OW swims the proposed rate of $1,800
    per sanction.

    -          To accept Task Force recommendation as it pertains to OW events other than solo which require
    motorized escort crafts to charge the proposed rate of $1,800 per sanction.

    -          OW Clinics and Training: by acclamation, agreed with recommendation that these are treated as
    clinics and will be covered under regular insurance.

    -          To accept the Task Force recommendation of $1,000 billed to the LMSC for each sanctioned OW
    event (other than exceptions noted above: national, solo and motorized escort).

    -          A motion was made and the committee discussed conveying to BOD the sense of the committee that
    a fee somewhat less than $1,000 might be considered. The motion failed.

    -          The committee expressed the hope that information gathered from 2013 events would help us make
    more and better decisions for upcoming years.

    I would be more than happy to discuss any of this with you. Not one agreement was made without
    extensive discussion, including discussion of the effect of that all of this can/will have on 2013 OW
    events.
  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    we won't be applying for USMS sanctions for the 2013 season

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    we won't be applying for USMS sanctions for the 2013 season

    Don't blame you. I'd like to get a race series started in Louisiana. Fortunately, I have some backing from my LMSC, otherwise, I'd probably be hosed. Even so, I'm going to see what the cost difference is for alternate insurance.
  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    The Massachusetts Open-Water Swimming Assoc. (MOWSA) and the Boston Light Swim will not be applying for USMS sanctions in 2013 and we are looking into insurance options. We will share our findings with the group in the near future.
  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    edited January 2013
    Niek wrote:
    I can only repeat: I suggest that those races get together fast with an insurer like HMBD to negotiate a lower offer than they would get if they do it separately.

    I'd be up for that, but my event is pretty different from the ones Dave and Greg are putting on. Mine doesn't need motorized support, and is in a small water ski lake. That said, if enough people were interested, I'd gladly help in the negotiations.
  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    CIBBOWS is looking into a policy that will cover all club activities from group swims to competitive events. I would like to see this situation eventually evolve into a national (or international) organization for open water swimmers... kind of what Masters does for pool swimmers, where membership dues would cover members for all OW related activities.
    @timsroot USMS sanction fees for events not requiring motorized safety might still be reasonable.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    edited January 2013
    @timsroot USMS sanction fees for events not requiring motorized safety might still be reasonable.

    Based on what I'm hearing, it's looking like it will be about $1000 foot a non pool sanction minimum. I'm curious how the board ultimately decides. When I get back home from Jamaica, I plan on investigating alternate insurance options.

    A good, unified open water board in the US would be, I think, good for the sport. USS makes getting sanctions very hard already, although, I think that it isn't an entirely bad thing. USMS is being forced to move in the same direction. The fact that triathletes are probably still most of the open water swimmers in the US complicates the issues further.

    While I understand why USMS is doing what they are doing, I think this may be the beginning of their exit from open water swimming.
  • lakespraylakespray Senior Member
    While I understand why USMS is doing what they are doing, I think this may be the beginning of their exit from open water swimming.
    I agree, except for the basic closed loop type race courses they may be done as a sanctioning body. Unfortunately this may eliminate many of the smaller and interesting local/regional events that relied on the ease and low cost of a USMS sanction/insurance.
  • WaterGirlWaterGirl Scottsdale, AZCharter Member
    While I understand why USMS is doing what they are doing, I think this may be the beginning of their exit from open water swimming.

    Even my masters team has gone to private insurance. You have to be a USMS member to compete in meets, but not to work out with the team. I don't think USMS is doing very well in the insurance brokerage business, regardless of the venue.

    I think USMS is an extremely valuable organization. I'd hate to see the insurance issues overshadow the rest of their value.
  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    edited January 2013
    lakespray wrote:
    While I understand why USMS is doing what they are doing, I think this may be the beginning of their exit from open water swimming.
    What USMS has effectively said by this decision is: The 55,000 members of USMS will not share the costs of insurance of events that few participate in. By this same logic, it could be argued that pool meets should also not be included as the vast majority of masters swimmers don't compete.
    Sorry if this sounds like I think USMS has thrown us under the bus... but I do.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    What USMS has effectively said by this decision is: The 55,000 members of USMS will not share the costs of insurance of events that few participate in. By this same logic, it could be argued that pool meets should also not be included as the vast majority of masters swimmers don't compete.
    Sorry if this sounds like I think USMS has thrown us under the bus... but I do.

    I mostly agree. The thought that they don't have the mechanism to do a per swimmer sanction fee sounds like a cop out to me. I understand that the two are very different sports, but if the us cycling federation can do per rider fees, why can't USMS? They did make it sounds like they would look at that in the future, though, at least.

    I understand that open water is a newer super than pool swimming, but they sure got caught with their pants down on this one.
  • Leonard_JansenLeonard_Jansen Charter Member
    One thing to consider would be to get the various state legislatures to pass laws that declare OWS an inherently risky activity and that the participant assumes the vast bulk of the risk. Here in Pennsylvania we have a law like that for equine activities and it apparently has cut back lawsuits and kept insurance affordable. (Still not cheap.) Since I own a stabling operation, I can say that it has made a difference in our costs. As a side benefit, it might also make it easier to convince various government entities to open up lakes for training purposes. Or not, government being what it is.

    -LBJ

    “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.” - Oscar Wilde

  • Leonard_JansenLeonard_Jansen Charter Member
    edited January 2013
    Niek wrote:
    Huh??? OWS isn't dangerous when one has trained for it!

    Fools who think they can swim in OW without proper preparations are dangerous.

    No. Swimming IS a potentially dangerous activity regardless of training, although being well-trained mitigates the risk somewhat. For example, in various races, I have: been knocked almost unconscious when a piece of driftwood hit me in the head, stung by jellyfish bad enough to bleed, got a fish hook in my hand and got tangled up in abandoned fishing line at the same time, got a fish hook in my foot, broke a finger, carried a teen-aged girl out of the surf when she was knocked about and was semi-conscious, and got my hand trapped in an abandoned crab trap.

    Besides, the suggestion was made as a thought that might help lower the cost by preventing lawsuits in all but the most extraordinary cases. This is the U.S. and you can get sued for liability if you butter someone's toast on the "wrong" side.
    Niek wrote:
    You won't see me skate downhill without training. I would be dangerous to myself and others.

    You wouldn't see me do it even with training. I found myself getting physically ill watching the video and waiting for one of them to wipe out. I once saw something arguably crazier: in 1980, outside of Squaw Valley, California, I saw guys riding roller luge sleds down a hill like that.

    -LBJ

    “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.” - Oscar Wilde

  • bobswimsbobswims Santa Barbara CACharter Member
    edited January 2013
    For example, in various races, I have: been knocked almost unconscious when a piece of driftwood hit me in the head, stung by jellyfish bad enough to bleed, got a fish hook in my hand and got tangled up in abandoned fishing line at the same time, got a fish hook in my foot, broke a finger, carried a teen-aged girl out of the surf when she was knocked about and was semi-conscious, and got my hand trapped in an abandoned crab trap.

    -LBJ

    You need to find another sport. :-)
  • MunatonesMunatones Charter Member
    Greg, I will be in Boston this coming Wednesday and Thursday. I would like to meet with you (and Elaine) to explain in person what can be done - and is being done - to resolve this current sanctioning issue. If you like it, please feel free to describe to the group.

    Steven Munatones
    www.worldopenwaterswimmingassociation.com
    Huntington Beach, California, U.S.A.

  • evmoevmo SydneyAdmin
    Any race directors out there able to provide some commentary/interpretation of this news?

    http://www.usms.org/admin/lmschb/owsanctionletterfeb2013.pdf

    http://dailynews.openwaterswimming.com/2013/02/us-masters-swimming-steps-up-in-open.html?m=1

    I guess $1000 is better than $1800, but I'm also guessing alternative insurance will still make sense in many cases. @gregoc, @david_barra ?
  • jcmalickjcmalick Wilmington, DEMember
    I'm a newbie at this and a new event will be announced shortly but I can tell you for the $1,000,000 liability insurance that I need for my permit is not worth the new price-tag...it makes logistical sense for some of the larger events like Tampa Bay and MIMS but won't help smaller events and organizations. Guess that's why we have options but having USMS Sanctioning is good for other reasons as well, namely the "brand name"!
  • evmoevmo SydneyAdmin
    @jcmalick, NYC Swim doesn't go through USMS, they have their own insurance.
  • gregocgregoc Charter Member
    I have event quotes that are less than half the $1000/event that USMS will charge.

    The extra cost of event insurance would be passed on to the swimmers and that is on top of the annual membership each swimmer pays to USMS.

    I also wonder what sanctioning groups for solo crossings (CCSF, Santa Barbara, etc) will do. With the new ruling, "1) All OW solo events (302.2.3, 303.11) shall be required to pay a full $1,800 insurance surcharge, without any USMS contribution.", there is no way a swimmer could afford a solo crossing insured by USMS. The cost of solo OW swims will be going up with or without USMS!

    USMS is imposing new OW regulations as well. The prop guard requirement is impossable for many OW events. I have had several pilots contact me already saying they can not help with the BLS if it is sanctioned by USMS.

    I wonder why USMS didn't pull out of sanctioning all OW events. Who do they get thier insurance policy from? You think they could negotiate a better rate than $1800/event!

    Moving forward, MOWSA will sanction all events they host (including the BLS and solo swims). MOWSA will get each event insured and costs will reflect that.
  • jcmalickjcmalick Wilmington, DEMember
    OK....scratch that, TBMS, Kingdom, and Barra's Fleet! :o)
  • evmoevmo SydneyAdmin
    edited February 2013
    @gregoc, thanks for the response.

    To answer your question re: CCSF and Santa Barbara. I believe CCSF did have a USMS component of their insurance, and if so they will probably be making alternative plans. SBCSA, however, already had a separate policy through The Camp Team / F.L. Dean, so we're not affected by the USMS decision.
  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member
    evmo wrote:
    Any race directors out there able to provide some commentary/interpretation of this news?

    The problem with the new USMS requirements are not just the fees. Requiring specific prop guards is a deal breaker.... see the video I just posted in the video thread; at around 2 minutes, you will see a recreational boater heading north as swimmers are going south. Agent Orange moves forward to "intercept" any heading of the north-bound vessel that might pass within 100yds of our swimmers. The USMS approved prop guards are problematic... reducing power and maneuverability. Additionally, some of the limits required of event boaters insurance are only available in commercial policies. I don't believe this was well thought out by USMS, unless their ultimate goal is to get out of the OW business.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • timsroottimsroot Spring, TXCharter Member
    The USMS approved prop guards are problematic... reducing power and maneuverability.

    If I remember correctly from one of the conference calls that I sat in on, this was more or less dictated by the insurance company, and USMS either couldn't negotiate differently, or felt backed up enough that they didn't try.
    I don't believe this was well thought out by USMS, unless their ultimate goal is to get out of the OW business.

    I got yelled at by my LMSC Chair for mentioning something along these lines in an email. To be fair, while she is normally very nice to work with, she's a pool swimmer who has done one open water swim as the lead for a team triathlon.

    With this, and US Swimming already making it pretty tough to put on an event, and USS not being very interested in putting on any kind of series to develop OW swimmers (it is an olympic sport after all, and normally sports get more money when they gain olympic status), I wonder if anyone will end up stepping into the apparent vacuum of open water governance in the US. I know that there are plenty of very good sanctioning bodies for very specific swims (CCSF, SBCSA, NYC Swim, probably plenty of others), but there doesn't seem to be a body that's all that interested in serving the 10k and shorter open water swims.

    While I understand why USMS put in what they did, especially given the short amount of time in which they had to do something, I agree that plenty of things are likely to change in open water in the US.
Sign In or Register to comment.