There are four roles on the FALS Ops team: greeters, launchmasters, dockmasters, and oar carriers. Please review the responsibilities of each role below. You will receive your assigned role and all additional training for each role 30 minutes prior to your scheduled shift start time during check in at Dock 4.
Greeter
• Welcomes crews to the Regatta at the entryway of the dock chute
• Reminds spectators that only competitors and coaches are allowed into the chute
• Reminds crews to be prepared for inspection before entry into chute
• Maintains order at chute entry in crowded situations (boats coming in and out mixing with pedestrians)
• Organizes the order of boats lining up to enter the chute
• Diverts excessive boat traffic to less crowded docks
• Uses tickets with coxswains to prioritize competitor boats in chute (if needed on Friday)
• Sends boats failing inspection over to the fence
• Points out hazards in the chute to coxswains and/or coaches
Launchmasters (Flow and Safety)
FLOW
• Maintains order in the launch queue and controls the flow of boats on land
• Communicates with Dockmaster to get permission for crews to advance to the dock
• Directs boats leaving the docks down the right path or side of chute
• Is mindful of athletes holding boats at shoulders (allows down to waist or in their own slings if long wait)
SAFETY
• Checks boats to ensure that all safety requirements are met (bow balls, heel ties, etc.)
• Checks boats for bow numbers on bow, stern deck and bow-seat (cox where relevant)
• Works with Greeter to ensure that crews are ready to be inspected
• Is mindful of athletes holding boats at shoulders (allows down to waist or in their own slings if long wait)
Dockmaster
• Maintains law and order on the dock
• Controls who may and may not be on the dock
• Launches and lands boats in a fair, orderly and timely fashion
• Collaborates with Launchmaster about flow on and off the dock from land
• Responds to emergencies by contacting Co-Chairs and Emergency Services
• Boats will queue to launch and land. In cold weather, land boats first.
• Remember to hydrate and remind the other volunteers to do so as well.
• During busy times advise crews "30 seconds on the dock."
• If things get confusing, slow the launching rate down.
• Pay attention to the river traffic and river control over the walky-talkies.
Oarmaster
• Directs competitors to oar racks to drop off oars.
• Carries oars to and from the dock for launching and landing crews.
• Assists Dock Master in pulling in boats that are attempting to land.
• Reminds competitors to keep the dock and chute free of clutter (shoes, backpacks, oars, etc.).
• Watches for unsafe behavior (e.g. unsafe piling of oars on the dock).
• Carries no more than 4 oars per person or a rack of 8 with another carrier.
• Do not unscrew oarlocks, let the crews do that.
Videos created by Samara Vise / samaravise.com