Commodore Matt Allen presenting the CYCA SOLAS Trusts cheque to Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (Hunter Region) with Graham Nickisson Crew Chief and Richard Jones, General Manager WHRS (right) Photo: CYCA Staff

The history of the SOLAS Trusts

Following the tragic loss of six lives in the 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the CYCA Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Safety of Life at Sea Trusts were established by the Club and a number of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's then Directors.

The Trusts are managed by a company trustee with four Board Members including a Chairman.

The Trusts' objectives are to:

• assist the immediate needy family of those lost at sea during Australian Yachting Federation sanctioned races
• provide assistance to search and rescue organisations
• foster research and training to improve procedures and equipment for use at sea.
  

	Matt Allen with the night vision helmet and NRMA Careflight pilot Ian HoadPhoto: CYCA Staff

Supporting Search & Rescue organisations

Since they were established in 1999, the Trusts have distributed in excess of $500,000 to search and rescue organisations Australia wide including the following recipients:

• NRMA Careflight (two donations)
• Snowy Hydro SouthCare Aero Medical and Rescue Helicopter Service
• Powercor LifeFlight
• RACQ Careflight
• Tasmanian Air Rescue (two donations)
• Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group
• South Australian Sea Rescue Squadron
• Volunteer Coast Guard Bermagui
• Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol Sydney & Tuggerah Lakes Divisions
• Volunteer Rescue Association Nambucca Heads
• St. Vincent's Hospital
• Tascoast Radio
• VMR Southport/Surfers Paradise
• RVCP Eden Division
• Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Brisbane Flotilla
• Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (Hunter Region)
• St Helens Marine Rescue (TAS)

CYCA Medical Management for Mariners (MMM) Course

In September 2009, the CYCA MMM course was launched. The course was developed in conjunction with St Vincent’s Hospital, and is a major initiative funded by the CYCA SOLAS Trusts in line with one of its objectives of funding research and training to improve safety and rescue procedures and equipment used in ocean races.

This specialist course was designed for sailors to manage medical emergencies when paramedic and medical assistance is not at hand. It aims to provide sailors and others with additional skills and knowledge to assist them in assessing and providing immediate and longer term management for casualties and illness in the marine environment.

The CYCA MMM course is conducted a number of times throughout each year, with the next course commencing on Tuesday 6 July 2010. Click here for more information.

Fundraising

The work of the SOLAS Trusts is ongoing.  Well in excess of $500,000 has been donated by those participating in the sport to the SOLAS Trusts since its inception, with the vast majority coming from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and its members.

The Annual CYCA SOLAS Trusts Raffle will be conducted from 4 June 2010 until Sunday 12 September 2010, with prizes being drawn at the CYCA Open Day. Tickets are $3 each, 2 for $5 or 4 for $10. Books of 25 tickets can be purchased for only $50. Click here for more information

Donations

To make a donatation to the SOLAS Trusts please email nina.mckinnon@cyca.com.au

In recognition of the support that CYCA members give to the annual Rotary Charity Regatta,  the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove  committed to include the CYCA SOLAS Trusts as a nominated beneficiary of the Regatta. To date, two donations of $10,000 have been received from the 2008 & 2009 Regattas.

	Gary Price, President of Sydney Cove Rotary and Bob Bruce presenting Commodore Matt Allen the $10,000 cheque for funds raised during the 2009 Rotary Charity Regatta

Applying for a donation

The Trustee is continuously seeking giftable search and rescue organisations around Australia with a view to supporting their capital expenditure on search and rescue facilities.  If you think your organisation meets the criteria, please email your detailed proposal seeking support from the SOLAS Trusts to the CYCA CEO (mark.woolf@cyca.com.au) or post your submission to:

The Chairman
CYCA SOLAS Limited
c/- the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
1 New Beach Rd
Darling Point    NSW    2027