Safety Rules and Guidelines
|
|
|||||||||
Safety Rules and Guidelines |
||||||||||
Rules & Guidelines Index |
Crews |
|
Coaches |
|
Launch Drivers |
| Accidents |
|
Water Safety Code |
Newark Rowing Club and its members have a ‘Duty of Care’ towards each other and themselves. This is to ensure that reasonable care must be taken to ensure that neither actions nor omissions can lead to a situation that would place any person at risk. The following rules and guidelines are in place to help ensure that this takes place Crews Prior to going afloat It is the responsibility of each member of the crew to ensure that their equipment is in a safe condition prior to going afloat. In particular boats should not be used if any of the following are true: Please take an alternative boat, leave a note in the booking out log, leave a note on the boat concerned and ensure that the captain is informed. (Home Number 01636 822556) Ensure that you are suitably dressed for the outing. In particular make sure that your cox has sufficient warm clothing. All coxes must wear a life jacket of the correct size and fitted correctly (ensure that the waist band id tight). If it is an inflatable jacket ensure that the cylinder is in place and not corroded. Always ensure that you book the boat out. In addition, note who else is on the river, in particular coxless boats Check the conditions. In particular note the weather forecast, river height, wind strength and temperature. Taking these into account along with the crew (and cox) experience and the boat size (1X 2-, 4+ etc) you must (along with the coach) decide whether it is safe to go afloat. If you are unsure then do not go. Ensure that you are wearing appropriate clothes for the outing. In particular the cox must be adequately clothed in cold conditions. If the cox gets cold during the outing you must return immediately. Afloat Crews should keep to the bow (starboard) side of the river at all times. Crews coming downstream will be further into the stream but must still be on the bow side of the middle. Special care must be taken on bends when there is only a short view of the river ahead. Coxless boats must take special care. Do not assume that other crews have seen you. Always shout ‘Look ahead’ if you are unsure of their position or that there may be a danger of a collision. Be very aware of pleasure boats and their wash. They can be on the incorrect side of the river particularly on bends or along the weir. Do not assume they have seen you. Even though you may have right of way be prepared to move. Do not be abusive. If you fall out of the boat do not swim away from it, as it will provide buoyancy. Swim to the nearest bank whilst holding on. Danger Points On leaving the landing stage take care of all moored boats. They scratch easily and it is easy to get a blade stuck underneath and capsize. Take care when exiting the Devon to look for other river traffic. Turn well clear of the entrance as the stream can carry you into the bank. At the bend above the bridge (just upstream from Kirks Bay) crews are often pushed wide when going upstream by a combination of stream and steering out due to overhanging branches. Crews must row at light pressure around the weir bend in both directions. It is very easy to be pushed onto the wrong side of the river and the visibility is extremely limited. Crews must stay clear of the weir, whilst remaining on the correct side of the river. Especially note that if there is much stream then there can be a strong sideways pull taking you closer to the weir even though you may be steering parallel. Approaching Farndon heading upstream there are some shallow stakes close to the bank, which are just under the surface. These are just downstream of the old sailing club. If there is a strong stream then the conditions rowing around Farndon bend are very turbulent, causing uneven pressures on the blades and causing the boat to veer. This is especially noticeable when rowing upstream. Take special care in singles, pairs and double. Keep clear of the public pleasure craft taking day-trippers. Bottles have been thrown from these boats in the past. When entering the Devon be careful when turning as the stream can take the boat sideways into the bend or moored boats. Do not go downstream of the Devon entrance except to turn the boat.
The captain’s permission is required for night rowing and he must be informed each time that a crew is going afloat. Appropriate lights must be used. (White lights ensuring 360 degree visibility). Dangerous Conditions The river can be a hostile environment, in particular with floods, fog and extreme cold. If there is any uncertainty about the conditions being suitable for rowing you must check with the captain or a vice-captain prior to going afloat. Please ensure that the crews are aware of, and keep to the safety guidelines. In particular you must take particular note of juniors who may lack the experience to take the correct decision with regards to safety for themselves. Parents of Juniors Parents must inform the club if their child is unable to swim 50 metres in light clothing, both front and back, have competence under water and be able to tread water. In addition they must advise coaches of any medical condition that may present a risk to themselves and / or their crew. Launch Drivers Ensure all occupants of the launch are wearing a life jacket. Please ensure that the correct safety equipment is in the launch and
that you know how to use it. Any accidents must be noted in the logbook provided. In addition a report of the accident must be provided in writing to the Captain or Safety Officer at the earliest opportunity. Any incident (such as equipment failure, minor damage, collision or capsize) where no injury occurred and there was no significant damage to the equipment must be recorded in the ‘booking out’ logbook. It is the responsibility of all members of the club to be aware of the
Water Safety Code and to ensure that they abide by it. Copies of the code
are available from the Club Water Safety Adviser. |
