Weybridge Rowing Club - Safety Procedures
Declaration
Weybridge Rowing Club is committed to keeping members safe on the water and when engaged in rowing or training activities by following British Rowing's Rowsafe Code. We endeavour to meet this commitment by having a clearly communicated policy that is understood by members, coaches and leaders in the club. To facilitate this all members will be assessed for competence in rowing safety knowledge and will not use club equipment unsupervised until they have been satisfactorily assessed.
Safety Equipment
- Lifejackets: No coxswain will be allowed on the water without a lifejacket. Anyone using a motor launch is to wear a lifejacket.
- Coaching Launch: Anyone using the launch must either hold an RYA Level 2 Launch Driver's qualification or have demonstrated to the Club Captain or Safety Adviser that they are competent to drive. The launch may be manned by juniors under the supervision of a Weybridge Rowing Club coach or Club Captain under WHITE BOARD conditions only. The Launch Safety Kit must be in the launch whenever it is in use.
- Throw lines: The throw lines are kept in the cupboard under the kitchen serving counter. Anyone coaching or providing safety cover from the bank should equip themselves with a throw line. There is an additional throw line in the Launch Safety Kit for use in the launch.
Restrictions on Boating - Warning Boards
Restrictions on boating apply to everyone boating from Weybridge Rowing Club. Warning Boards indicate the state of the river; these are coloured boards situated prominently on the door of the ladies changing room. In times of strong stream the Club Captain, or an appointed deputy, will obtain E.A. advice on water safety. If necessary, the Club Captain will arrange for the warning boards to be changed. Consider the stream, wind and visibility, and if there is any doubt about the wisdom of boating - DON'T. If in doubt, contact the local Environment Agency office (Shepperton) on 01276 454900.
CLICK HERE for the Risk Assessment Guidelines which explain the 4 statuses used and how they determine who can row.
Rowing and Sculling
- Seniors: Only those who have an authorised 'Certificate of Competency" (signed by the Captain or registered coach) may boat unattended.
- Juniors: Must always be attended by an authorised adult. When they have an authorised 'Certificate of Competency' (signed by the Captain or registered coach) the supervisor, at his/her discretion, may be in a sculling boat. Juniors who do not hold an authorised 'Certificate of Competency' must be accompanied by an authorised adult, with a throw line, in a motor launch or on the bank and must be in sight that adult at all times. A junior in this context is anyone under 18.
- Juniors must complete a Junior Registration Form and have this signed by a parent or guardian before participating.
Rowing After Dark
"Rowing or sculling after nightfall is dangerous and should not be encouraged. When it is necessary, a coach should accompany crews and scullers on the bank or in an accompanying launch. All craft must be properly illuminated." (see the Rowsafe code)
YOU MUST
- display a white light front and rear, or an all round white light.
YOU SHOULD
- wear light coloured clothing so that if you go overboard you can be seen easily; ideally wear a reflective vest.
DO NOT
- allow inexperienced crews out at night: or use red navigation lights.
Incident Reporting
No matter how careful we all are, sometimes accidents happen. Here's what you should do:
- All accidents must be reported to someone in authority at the club: the Captain, one of the Vice Captains or a Committee member
- Minor incidents must be written up in the Incident Logbook which is by the Junior noticeboard in the club room. This includes "near misses" and capsizes.
- Incidents where equipment is damaged or someone is injured must be reported to the British Rowing by the Safety Adviser. You must fill in an Incident Report Form with FULL details of the incident - place, time, how it occurred, weather conditions etc. together with a diagram if appropriate. This should be pinned to the notice board, and the Safety Adviser informed. Check the Guidelines for help in filling out the form.
- Any incident involving a motor vessel MUST be reported to the Environment Agency, tel. 01276 454900. Make sure you note the name of the vessel, and obtain witness statements if possible.
- Damage to boats must be recorded in the blue covered book in the boathouse.
- NEVER - EVER put a damaged boat back on the rack as if it had never happened. That is quite unacceptable. If the boat is damaged it needs to be fixed, not left for someone else to find and deal-with. No one's going to be angry about a genuine accident, but hiding it or not owning up is a more serious matter!