Safety & Safe Handling

Rowing is a great and fun sport but we must never forget that water is inherently dangerous and we all have a duty to keep each other safe, on and off the river.

By observing a few simple rules and keeping the fleet in good shape we can all do our bit to keep things fun and safe for everyone.

boatcare

Around the boathouse

How to stay safe and responsible around the busy shared boat bay

Taking care around the boathouse

Members should take note of the following rules when in the boathouse

The boathouse is an area where boats and equipment are moved frequently. It is the responsibly of all members to show due care and attention when moving in this space.
All boats should be stored correctly on their rack
Boats should not be left unaccompanied when on trestles
Blades should be carried with the spoon forward and low to the ground
When boats are being moved around the boathouse it is the responsibility of the cox, or clearly designated crew member in coxless boats, to provide clear and concise and loud instructions to the crew
All those who are carrying a boat have a responsibility for ensuring it is carried safely, avoiding damage to people and equipment
No member should be using tools or undertaking boat maintenance without the permission of the fleet manager

Safe boating

Conditions are never the same day-to-day. Always perform these checks before going afloat.

Before each session

It is the responsibility of all boat users to check that their boat is safe to use before they go on the water for a session. The following checks must be done before going afloat

Depending on the prevailing conditions the river will either be open to all, closed to all, or crews will require case by case permission to go rowing from either the Captain or Director of Rowing.
When the river is open to all this does not necessarily mean that it is safe to go out and it is the responsibility of the squad co-ordinator/cox/coach of each crew to decide if the conditions are appropriate. Examples of things to factor into your decision making include:
- Windspeed
- Temperature, and suitable crew clothing for the temperature.
- Experience of the crew and cox
- Outing Plan
- Boat size
- Visibility
- Strength of the stream
- River traffic
It is the responsibility of the crew using the boat to check that it is safe for use before boating
No boat may go afloat unless:
- Either all hatch covers are attached, or buoyancy bags are present in all compartments
- There is a securely attached bow ball
- Heel restraints are attached at an appropriate length, and quick release straps are on the shoes
It is the responsibility of the steersperson or cox to make sure that the rudder, fin and steering wires are in good working order before the boat goes afloat.

Additional rules for coxes

Additionally, all coxes must follow these rules:

All coxes must wear a lifejacket as their outer layer. Auto-inflate lifejackets are not to be used in bow loaded boats.
Have a working cox box.
Wear appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.

After each session

At the end of every session it is the responsibility of the whole crew to

Wash and wipe the outside of the boat
Inspect the boat for damage and report any equipment concerns to the fleet team

Additionally, at least once per week at the end of a session a crew must

Wash and wipe the inside of the boat
Clean the boats slides

Towing and trailering

Rules for towing

Members must take note of the following rules when towing a club trailer.

The driver must hold the appropriate driving licence for the trip.
It is the responsibility of the driver to make sure that they have appropriate insurance for the vehicle being used for the trip.
Before towing club boats for the first time a member must complete a short drive with an experienced club member on a short local route with an unloaded trailer.
When towing boats for the first time an experienced passenger must be present.
The driver is responsible for making sure that all equipment is loaded securely, and that the boats have been loaded legally.

Safety on the water, safety on the road!

Rowing in the dark

Rules that must be followed for crews that are going on the water during ‘Hours of Darkness’.

Definition of ‘Hours of Darkness’

Hours of Darkness begin 15 minutes before the sun sets to 94° below the zenith and ends 15 minutes after the sun rises to 95° below the zenith

For ease of use a table of these times can be found on the CUCBC website: Hours of Darkness | CUCBC

Conditions for Rowing in the dark

The ratio of bank party to boat must be one to one, regardless of boat size
The bank party must be competent
All coxes must have permission from the Captain to cox in the dark
All steers people must have met the criteria to go out in basic boats without a bank party
The correct lights have been attached to the boat A steady white light on the bow
A steady white light and a steady red light on the stern
That spare lights are in the boat or with the bank party
That the bow seat is wearing high visibility clothing
If the CUCBC flag is yellow then permission for rowing in the dark will be made on a case by case basis by the President, Captain or a Vice Captain.

Responsibilities of the Bank Party

When proceeding downstream the bank party should wait on the green dragon bridge until the crew has reached the P&E. The crew should then wait to be rejoined by the bank party before continuing
When proceeding upstream the bank party must be on the green Dragon bridge before the crew goes round the corner
Actively communicate the position of other boats or hazards on the river to the cox or steersperson. Do not assume that things have been seen

Junior Rowing in the Dark

The rules for rowing in the dark apply to juniors and seniors
All members of a junior crew that is rowing in the dark must be made up entirely of members who are part of the’J4’ training group

City of Cambridge

Estd. 1863