Safety
Information
Safety Adviser
Pete Taylor
The City of Oxford Rowing Club aims to comply with the A.R.A.
Water
Safety Code. Breaches should be reported to the Club Captain, the Safety Officer or a
member of the Committee.
Can you swim 100 metres?
All rowers and beginners at City of Oxford Rowing Club must
be in good health and able to swim a minimum of 100 metres in light clothing and shoes.
All members of the Club and all newcomers to the Club must sign a delaration that they can
swim and return it to the Club Captain. Any member of the Committee or coach will have the
authority to prevent anyone from going afloat who they believe cannot swim.
Safety Equipment
First aid box is in first aid locker
Thermal blankets are in the first aid locker
Rescue lines/throw bags are in the first aid locker
Lifebuoys are in the Boathouse between the doors.
Navigation on the Isis
The Isis
(showing local hazards)
Basics
- Be considerate to other users (including punts!) at all
times.
- Always boat and land upstream.
- All crews shall keep to the right hand side of the river.
- If a crew is on a collision course with you or another boat,
SHOUT "AHEAD SCULL/FOUR/...!"
The Isis is very short and, at times, very crowded. At all
times, be aware of other crews on the river and do your best not to cause annoyance to
anyone, particularly to crews doing pieces.
If you stop your boat it is likely that other crews will
have to take action to avoid you, so ONLY stop when absolutely necessary,
preferrably only to spin. Coaching, kit removal, etc. can be done at this time.
When you do stop to spin:
- DO NOT obstruct crews who have already spun and are
waiting to move off.
- move as far upstream/downstream as is safe for your crew.
- move out of the way of other crews waiting to spin.
If you are moving slowly (doing starts, single strokes,
etc.) keep in to the side of the river and be prepared to move quickly out of the way of
oncoming boats.
Dangers
- The Gut is dangerous.
- Spinning at Longbridges is dangerous.
- Overtaking is dangerous.
- Punts are dangerous.
The Gut
- The Gut is a blind bend and crews going up and down stream
want to pass through the same bit of water.
- DO NOT assume other boats have seen you.
- DO NOT assume that you have right of way, or that
other crews will give way to you.
Turning at Longbridges
- When stopping at Longbridges going downstream, move into the
bay so that you do not obstruct other crews.
When starting from Longbridges:
- give way to ALL crews.
- WAIT until there is a large gap.
Overtaking
- NO crew has the right to overtake.
- ONLY overtake when you are sure that it is safe.
Punts
- Punts are a particular hazard on the Isis in summer, and
silently may appear anywhere, going in any direction. They are unlikely to warn you that
you are about to hit them. According to the E.A. punts are not obliged to follow any of
the accepted rules of the river. If you are abusive to a punter you could be reported to
the police, in which case the City of Oxford Rowing Club cannot support you.
Restrictions on Boating
Restrictions on boating which apply to anyone from City of
Oxford Rowing Club are indicated by a box containing coloured boards situated on the front
of the Boathouse wall.
GREEN BOARD
No restriction
AMBER BOARD
No S3 crews without supervision.
No Novices.
Spin above Haystacks corner.
RED BOARD
No boating.
In times of strong stream the Club Captain, or an appointed
deputy, will contact the A.R.A. Divisional Representative daily to obtain E.A. advice on
water safety. If necessary, the Club Captain will arrange for the boards to be changed.
Bring the restrictions to the attention of anyone you see
boating or on the water when they should not be. If you are in any doubt about the wisdom
of boating, DON'T.
Out of Hours Boating
If you are boating without supervision (either of a coach
or of other City of Oxford Rowing Club crews):
- Fill in the log BEFORE you boat.
- Remove your entry from the log AFTER you return.
If you suspect that a crew has not returned by their
expected time:
- Check whether the named boat is back in the Boathouse.
- If it is not, and you suspect that there is cause for
concern, contact the emergency services.
Rowing After Dark
"Rowing or sculling after nightfall is dangerous and
should not be encouraged. When it is necessary then crews and scullers should be
accompanied by a coach on the bank or in an accompanying launch. All craft must be
properly illuminated as required by the relevant river authority or the Department of
Transport." (A.R.A. Water Safety Code Section 2.1.1.5)
YOU MUST
- display a white light fron and rear, or an all round white
light
- navigate on the correct side of the river.
YOU SHOULD
- wear light coloured clothing so that if you go overboard you
can be seen easily and recovered.
- ideally wear a reflective vest and put reflective bands on
your blades.
YOU SHOULD NOT
- allow inexperienced crews out at night.
- use red navigation lights
Equipment Damage
The Club Captain will check all Club equipment once a
month. particular attention will be paid to the following safety equipment:
- Bow balls
- Heel restraints
- Oar and scull buttons
- Buoyancy compartments
- Availability of bailers/sponges for rough weather
- Safety of the Boathouse
- First aid box
Please fill in the Equipment Damage Log (which is kept in
the safety equipment locker) as soon as possible if you spot any damage to Club equipment
or any safety hazard in the Boathouse. Remember to fill in the Accident Log if
appropriate.
Attach a notice to any equipment that you feel is unsafe to
warn other Club members, and notify the Club Captain or the Safety Officer as soon as
possible.
Repair the damage yourself if you have sufficient
expertise. Spare parts are available from the Club Captain.
The Club Captain will check the Equipment Damage Log at
least once a week to ensure that all damage is repaired within a fortnight.
Accident Reporting
Please fill in the Accident Log (which is kept in the
safety equipment locker at the top of the stairs) as soon as possible if you have
witnessed or been involved in any rowing accident. It would be helpful if
witnesses/participants completed a report. Remember to fill in the Equipment Damage Log if
appropriate.
The Safety Officer will check the Accident Log at least
once a week and will report any accidents involving injury to the A.R.A. within a week.
If you would prefer to give details in confidence, please
contact the Safety Officer.
Breaches of the ARA Water Safety Code
Notify the Safety Officer, Club Captain or a member of the
Committee if you believe that the A.R.A. Water Safety Code has been breached. If
appropriate the offender will be advised in writing and given a period for corrections.
Contacting the Environment Agency
24 hour answerphone giving details of prevailing stream
conditions, Tel. 01734 535520.
OURCs usually relays information on stream
conditions from the EA with minimal delay.
During office hours
Cricklade to Benson Tel. 01865 721271
Benson to Hurley Tel. 01734 535533
Hurley to Penton Hook Tel. 01628 22491
Penton Hook to Teddington Tel. 01932 781948
After hours (including weekends)
Contact the Communications Officer on 01734 535000 and ask
him to get the Navigation Inspector to call you back.
In times of strong stream the duty Navigation Manager will
advise an Officer of the Regional Rowing Council of the situation each day who will in
turn advise the Divisional Representative.
The latest flood warnings are posted
at:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwarning
Godstow Tel. 01865 54784
Osney Tel. 01865 247050
Iffley Tel. 01865 772277
Sandford Tel. 01865 775889
Abingdon Tel. 01235 523044
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Police (St Aldate's) 01865 266000
John Radcliffe Casualty Department 01865 741166
General Emergency 999
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