After several years of hegemony among racers for this raft manufacturer, a series of incidents during checks, drills and even real-life activations is now raising doubts about the robustness of this certified equipment.
Triggers considered problematic
A number of Class40 skippers have reported difficulties in opening, incorrect inflation or premature deterioration of Waypoint liferafts, even though they are stored and maintained in accordance with the rules. Some of the rafts reportedly showed serious anomalies during mandatory inspections, with poorly-fastened valves, under-inflated bladders or faulty lashing systems.
This feedback, combined with tests carried out in real-life conditions or during safety exercises supervised by the class, was enough to alert Class40's technical managers, who decided to communicate officially on the subject, and to envisage a restriction or temporary suspension of the use of certain Waypoint models.
Rafts that have been popular for many years
For many years now, a large number of racers have been equipped with this brand of raft because it weighs just a few kilos less than the competition. In ocean racing, the hunt for weight is an everyday sport, and safety equipment is also subject to this drastic regime, sometimes to the detriment of safety. One-design classes such as the Figaro Beneteau and the C30 have chosen an identical model manufactured by Plastimo, which to date has provided complete satisfaction for both racers and organizers.
Pending formal conclusions, Class40 recommends that the skippers concerned have their rafts inspected outside the usual overhaul cycle, or even consider a preventive replacement for future races.
A broader debate on the safety chain
This affair, which goes beyond the Waypoint case alone, puts the spotlight back on the real reliability of survival equipment in ocean racing. Although liferafts are certified, stocked and checked according to standards, this does not always guarantee optimal operation in extreme conditions, especially as some remain on board for several years without being checked.
Numerous brands have already been affected in the past by percussion or reliability problems on rafts. On sailboats such as Class40s and Minis, a raft is subjected to extreme conditions, whether in terms of ambient humidity or repeated impacts.
As a class that is very active in transatlantic races and offshore events, the Class40 now wants to tighten up its requirements on survival equipment, in the same way as the IMOCA class has already done following the sinking of Kévin Escoffier during the 2020 Vendée Globe.
The problems with Waypoint rafts, which are perfectly approved to ISO 9650-1 standards, have been known for many years. It is regrettable that racers and certain classes wait until they have come very close to a fatal accident before anticipating these malfunctions and guaranteeing greater safety for sailors.
