Table of Contents
OCRDA Race Primary Rescue Team
What a weekend afloat that turned out to be!
We headed off to Torquay for the final round of the OCRDA powerboat racing with a very sketchy forecast and three fleets of jet bikes, pro cats and OCR boat (website).
The Plan: A Media Boat Becomes a Rescue Unit
The Highfield Patrol 600 (see specs below) was originally planned to be a media boat with two for the country’s finest aquatic photographers on board, Anthony from Iceman Images and Will from Snap.
Soon, however with the conditions it was apparent that the Patrol 600 would be use das primary rescue boat with the paramedic aboard and they picture boys shipped off to another willing host!
The rear locker was soon filled with emergency medical equipment alongside the spare clothing and emergency kit and a long board stowed alongside the console.
It was held in place buy a couple of fenders.
Fully Equipped for Safety
The rear locker also has a shower unit within which takes up quite a bit of the space.
It may well be removed for next season as the locker is carrying more and more equipment at events.
Wind, Waves, and Jet Skis
The forecast wasn’t wrong and the promised F 4-5 wind arrived just in time to start the jet ski races, at least it stayed dry!
There are some great images below from the afloat photographers with skis aiming for the sky.
Pro Cat Racing and OCR Boats
The Pro Cat race followed and again great fun was had by those in the races, with more time spent above the water then on it.
OCR boats however only managed a third of their race before being shown a red flag as the safety team deemed the event outside of operating parameters.
The Patrol 600 in Action
I’ve never been afraid to throw the Patrol 600 into a wave, and Saturday was no different.
The high bow allowed for great handling in the sea state and the balance when landing ensured a fairly comfortable landing for the crew.
Sunday: A Battle Against the Elements
Sunday however saw different conditions again. 2.5m waves, a F 6 gusting 8 and rain, lots of rain.
Being the last race meet of the season there was a large push to get afloat but conditions really weren’t looking ideal.
To confirm this two of the safety team went afloat, and my confidence in pushing the bow of the Patrol 600 into oncoming seas was tested to the extreme.
When you crown a wave at 9 knots and fly, fully leaving the water and landing just in front of the next set before leaving the sea for the sky once again you know its grim out.
Racing Cancelled for Safety
The thought of allowing racers into this was scary and just wrong.
Racing was cancelled, if you can’t keep a 6 m Highfield in the water, there’s not a hope of a ski or pro cat safely racing, let alone an OCR boat.
Unfortunately there are no pictures from Sunday but some great shots from Iceman and Snap photography from Saturday.
What’s next for the safety team?
Some of us are off to the winter series of Gig racing. A slower pace, but being inland an almost guaranteed affair, with plenty of tea, coffee and cake supplied.
Read more of my articles. RIBs ONLY author Andy Squirell.
Specs
| Model | Highfield Patrol 600 |
| Overall length | 6.17 m |
| Internal length | 4.49 m |
| Overall width | 2.58 m |
| Internal width | 1.32 m |
| Dead rise | 26° |
| Tube diameter | 54 cm |
| Number of air chambers | 6 |
| Maximum load* | 1,200 kg |
| Maximum engine weight | 30 kg |
| Maximum people | 15 |
| Boat only weight** | 762 kg |
| Fuel tank | 140 l |
| Maximum hp | 150 hp |
| Engine shaft | XL Single |
| Design category | C*** |
**boat, console & standard seating only
*Maximum load includes crew & cargo – it does not include engine weight, fuel or water
***discover what this means