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The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport has issued a product warning for potential risk with the use of a mooring rope of non-European origin.

The rope, under the Marina Maxi brand of Axiom Cordages based in Mumbai, India, does not comply with relevant European standards as it could come apart during usage, and the parted rope could hit someone on board, causing injury or even death.

The affected product is a 12-strand mooring rope: UV stabilized high grade, synthetic compound with polyester and polypropylene, white colour (6ft canvas, covered and FIV tucks with compliance to OCIMF standards, eyes spliced at both ends).

This is not to be confused with a now-recalled product warning for a 24-strand mooring rope, comprising 50% polyester and 50% polysteel with a 52mm diameter, a breaking load of 60 tons and a length of 220 metres, without permanent marking. A marine casualty investigation report from Greek authorities clears up confusion over the rope's origins.

Owners and users of Marina Maxi ropes detailed herein should be advised of the risks and take appropriate action.

[This post was updated on 27 February 2020 to reflect an update to European Union records as to the affected mooring rope.]

[This post was updated on 4 March 2020 to include a link to the HBMIC report into an incident involving the affected mooring rope.]

[This post was updated on 5 March 2020 to correct the country of origin and manufacturer of the affected mooring rope.]

Published in Marine Warning
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Esailing & Virtual Sailing information

The concept of e-sailing, or virtual sailing, is based on a computer game sailing challenge that has been around for more than a decade.

The research and development of software over this time means its popularity has taken off to the extent that it has now become a part of the sailing seascape and now allows people to take an 'active part' in some of the most famous regattas across the world such as the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, Sydney Hobart, Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup and some Olympic venues too, all from the comfort of their armchair.

The most popular model is the 'eSailing World Championship'. It is an annual esports competition, first held in 2018 and officially recognised by World Sailing, the sports governing body.

The eSailing World Championship is a yearly competition for virtual sailors competing on the Virtual Regatta Inshore game.

The contract to run the event was given to a private company, Virtual Regatta that had amassed tens of thousands of sailors playing offshore sailing routing game following major offshore races in real-time.

In April 2020, the company says on its website that it has 35,000 active players and 500,000 regattas sailed.

Virtual Regatta started in 2010 as a small team of passionate designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs gathered around the idea that virtual sailing sports games can mix with real races and real skippers.