Safety on the Trent

RED LIGHT REMINDER ... BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

Safety relating to other river users

Powered Craft Although unpowered craft have right of way with no restrictions on direction or speed, don't assume that powered craft will observe this. Stay clear of powered craft, don't take risks and remember that is is easier for paddlers to stop or change direction than almost any other craft on the water with the exception of K4s.

Rowers find manoeuvring much harder than paddllers. With this in mind there are some rules to observe.

Summary

In the dark we need to show a flashing red light facing forward and a steady red light facing backwards.

At all times, when paddling downstream, approaching the Suspension Bridge in particular, we need to be to the right of any approaching rowers, so be to the right of the middle of the river.

============================================================

Explanation

– In an effort to avoid accidents and confusion, the club representatives met with representatives of the rowing clubs who use the same section of the river that we do.

In the dark - They came to an agreement over the showing of lights. The rowers are required to show lights both back and front of their boats during the hours of darkness. They accept that a paddler displaying a white light in front of themselves has a detrimental effect on “night vision.” Therefore the agreement is that we show a red flashing light at the front. This can be tucked under the cockpit coaming to mask it from the paddler’s vision and has no significant effect on night vision. A steady red light must be displayed behind, either on the boat or body of the paddler. This helps rowers determine which way a paddler is moving.

At all times we need to be very careful around rowers and be aware that they row to a circulation pattern. (They keep right.) They accept that as we use smaller levers to move, so making way against the flow is harder and that our skill set actually requires paddlers to use “slack water” when travelling upstream, we will cross and use the inside of bends. They are aware of our regular crossovers and why we need to do them. There are a number of danger points particularly where the river bends. It is impossible for rowers to manoeuvre as easily as paddlers, so particular care must be taken at these places:

            Approaching the Suspension Bridge (paddling downstream)

            The Toll Bridge to Wilford Church (paddling upstream)

            Lady Bay Bridge (paddling upstream)

The first of these is the worst and paddlers must approach the Suspension Bridge between the middle of the river and the right hand bank. It is dangerous for paddlers to move to the left of oncoming rowers at this point. (A paddler moving left puts both themselves and the rowers in danger. If scullers or rowers are in the middle coming towards you, move further right.)

With the other two places, paddlers need to be aware that they are paddling in the opposite direction to oncoming rowers. As paddlers can see forwards and manoeuvre more easily, they must take avoiding action where necessary.

The representatives of the rowing clubs were made aware of areas that paddlers find sensitive, such as the turn at Clifton when we are racing. They are avoiding congregating / turning etc. there. They know why we paddle upstream on the left in some places.

Rowers are sensitive to anything/anyone passing close to their blade tips so allow far more clearance than you would for another paddler or static object.

The rowers are aware of our needs and their coaches are clearly being very proactive in directing rowing crews (not necessarily their own) when they start to wander. They clearly take their side of the agreement seriously. Rowers are far more aware of our needs than ever before and are obviously taking them into consideration.

In the interests of safety and courtesy paddlers must do the same.