Fewer and fewer venues are allowing events of a racing nature at all, and those few that remain are requiring more and more "protection". This, undoubtedly, is due to the rise in litigation amongst present and former users of the venues.

It may not be too far off before the venue owners will get so paranoid as to require an obscene amount of insurance for anyone who owns a boat and searches for the regatta site on mapquest or google.

Whether or not you have property coverage (which Mark explains) is your choice. The ability to pay for injuries/damage CAUSED BY you (or your property) is what should be understood as an imperative. Don't forget - your own crew's injuries can end up your responsibility as well...

Those mega-rich folk can be self-insured, but I doubt they got mega-rich to start with by not being insured at some point. There are too many "what-if" scenarios.

But, Mark's original comments were questioning why the regatta organizers should be sticking their nose in "my business". Should this be extrapolated to mean that the PRO shouldn't dictate what equipment or skills the competitors should have (like PFDs or basic sailing skills), or verify that they are present?

I mean, let's take this to the extreme - I'm a good swimmer, why does the PRO require me to wear (not just carry) a PFD? If I croke, big whup, right? Should I be able to waive the requirement because after all, this would only affect me personally, and nobody else...?

I disagree and believe that the PRO must take steps to ensure a safe event for all participants, spectators, volunteers, etc. Part of this duty to act is to ensure that a minimum level of care is exercised, whether or not the participants "feel" it is justifiable.

Kinda makes you want to run out and organize a regatta, doesn't it <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />