RGS Water Safety Policy

INTRODUCTION

1. British Rowing requires that every registered Boat Club operates in compliance with the recommended code of practice to be found in the Row Safe publication, the BR website and in the BR Rowing Almanac. Rowing and sculling is no more dangerous than other water sports but accidents do occur and the code has evolved in the interests of all water users.

2. The RGS Safety Policy is supplementary to the BR code of practice and members of the Boat Club, coaches and parent helpers should familiarise themselves with the general requirements which will also usually apply to any water in the UK. Some clubs or events have additional local rules that are set out in the information provided to competitors. Any additional Longridge rules will be displayed on the Safety notice board.

3. The most successful athletes in any sport are completely focused and uninhibited by peripheral worries. Based upon a graduated assessment of identified potential dangers, this Safety Policy sets out the risk control practices to be introduced automatically as part of an athlete’s training without embedding fear.

4. Good safety practice is no quicker for novices to acquire than good rowing or sculling technique. Teaching it is a gradual process requiring vigilant observation by coaches and coxes with consistent instruction and reminding. Coaches should also familiarise themselves with the findings of the Risk Assessment.

5. The general rule of navigation adopted by all users of the non-tidal sections of the River Thames and to be observed by all RGS coaches and crews in training is that a crew travelling forward must stay closer to the bank on its bow side or starboard side. The slower crew is required to give way to faster vessels by moving as close to the bank as safety and common sense will allow so that they will be passed on stroke side or port side.

6. Observance of this general rule in training is obligatory to all RGS crews unless there is not enough time to manoeuvre out of the way or the coach directs otherwise. Every crew will be taught to also shout a clear audible warning to an endangered approaching crew in good time until acknowledged. For example ‘AHEAD SCULLER’ or Pair, Quad, IV, VIII etc.

WATER SAFETY OFFICER

1. The Head of Rowing, or coach delegated by RGS Director of Sport, is the Water Safety Officer at RGS responsible for supervising all safety matters both on and off the water assisted by members of the coaching team. 

2. Safety is the first item on the agenda of every coach’s meeting to review the policy and amend where necessary. 

3. Whilst at Marlow, the coaches will act as Duty Safety Officers at every session and take particular care when the river is at its most busy.

INITIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Upon enrolling a child in the Boat Club, a parent or guardian is required to declare swimming ability and to report any medical or physical condition relevant to heavy exercise, allergies, breathing, special diets or any other matter concerning the child of which the Head of Rowing should be made aware.

2. If at any time during the rowing years at school, a child is subsequently placed on a course of prescribed medicine or treatment it is necessary for the coach to be informed before a training outing. It is generally unwise to train hard in those circumstances without the doctor’s permission.

3. Any relevant medical information supplied, with relevant contact details, will be recorded in the membership list made available in confidence to the coaches. Any material change in a child’s medical or physical condition should be reported so that the medical record is up to date. A coach must be notified and suitably supplied and instructed if special medicines or emergency devices need to be carried in the launch during training or at events.

4. Before going on the water, in a swimming pool, with lifeguards in attendance and with qualified to supervise the test, the School will require every novice to undertake a swim test: a 50 metre swimming test wearing light rowing kit, tread water for at least two minutes and swim under water for at least 5 metres. 

5. Subsequently the rower needs to experience the effects of capsizing a single sculling boat with instruction on how to react safely. When this test is undertaken in the river, due regard should be paid to the contaminants known to be in the water and particular attention given to washing thoroughly afterwards.

6. All members of the Boat Club, together with parents or guardians for those not yet eighteen years old, are responsible for complying with the BR RowSafe policy, the RGS Safety Policy and any instructions issued by the coaches in respect of safety. Any failure to comply with these instructions, or behaviour in a way which jeopardises their own safety, or that of others, may lead to disciplinary action being taken at the discretion of the Head of Rowing, Master in Charge of Rowing (if one on post), Director of Sport or the Headmaster.

7. Every athlete must be a member of BR before being allowed to race. Membership also entitles them to essential insurance benefits in addition to those of the School.

GENERAL WATER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1. The Head of Rowing, or their appointed deputy in their absence, has absolute discretion whether to boat a crew or individual at every training session or event in any but the conditions described in the subparagraphs below. The decision will have regard variously to water and wind speed and direction, air and water temperature, other river traffic, the state of health and competence of an individual and the training benefit obtainable by rowing in such conditions.

   1. The advice, warnings or expectations of the Marlow and Cookham Lock Keepers are a compulsory part of the decision making process when warning boards are displayed at Marlow and/or Cookham locks.

   2. Red boards at both Marlow and Cookham means no boating at all.

   3. Red boards at Marlow and yellow boards at Cookham means only experienced crews may boat at coach’s discretion but crews must remain within easy sight and reach of an accompanying launch. If the launch has to stop for any reason so too must all the crews in its charge.

   4. In yellow board conditions, the coach must have regard to the general suitability of the water conditions for the training benefit and safety of the crews concerned.

2. All crews and individuals must comply with the river traffic circulation patterns detailed on the circulation plan provided by the Environment Agency.  Map at end of section.

3. Equipment defects must be reported immediately by the rower to the coach. If it cannot be made good by the coach, the boat must not be used and the coach must mark the boat as out of use, then either arrange a repair or report the defect to the club manager if it requires a more complex repair or parts.

   1. Prior to every use, all equipment is to be checked by coach and crew to ensure that it is serviceable and appropriate for the purpose for which it is intended.

   2. Defective equipment must be taken out of service immediately if it is unsafe to use. In particular, no boat may be used if it does not have a satisfactory bow ball or heel restraints or if it has a defective steering mechanism.

4. Any accidents are to be reported to the Head of Rowing or Water Safety Adviser. An Incident Report form (BR RowSafe 2024 Section 12) is to be completed by the coach concerned if an incident on the river results in personal injury or third party damage. When required, the Emergency Services are to be contacted by the quickest means possible appropriate to the accident or situation.

5. A first aid kit is located in the RGS Container, there are first aid kits in the school minibus and in the rescue kits carried in each coaching launch. Details of any material accidents are to be recorded in the accident report book at the school by the coach in charge. Any first aid items used must be reported to the Club Manager for replacement.

6. Launches are to be used only by drivers authorised by the Head of Rowing and who have an RYA Level 2 Powerboat qualification. All drivers and passengers are to wear lifejackets. The driver is responsible for ensuring that a launch rescue kit is carried. Any first aid items used or missing are to be notified to the Club Manager as soon as possible.

   1. Drivers are to ensure that launches are handled with consideration to other river users and in compliance with the rules of the river and Speed Exemption Certificate. Guidance for all Launch drivers (LINK) from Thames Byelaws, specifically part 2c: byelaw 28.

   2. The RGS launches are designed to carry two persons at exempt speeds including the driver. In the event of a capsize recovery operation the maximum number of persons on the launch may exceed two persons in order to safely convey athletes to the bank or pontoons..

   3. Launch drivers are to carry radios or working mobile phones with relevant numbers recorded in their contact list for communication with each other.

7. The wearing of lifejackets by coxes is compulsory and novices are to be instructed in the use of manually operated gas inflated lifejackets by the coach in charge before departing from the pontoon. If the cox is located in the bow of a ‘front-loader’, care is to be taken to ensure that the lifejacket does not prevent a cox from escaping in the event of a capsize or sinking. The cox is responsible for overall safety of the boat and crew but may only disobey a coach’s instruction if he reasonably considers that compliance would place the crew in immediate danger.

8. It is desirable that all Coaches in charge are to be qualified to BR Level 2 or the former Instructors Award as the minimum standard unless the Head of Rowing or the Director Sport is satisfied that they are suitably qualified by experience. 

9. It is the coach’s duty to ensure at each outing that:

   1. Crews are aware of the safety procedures and the circulation patterns.

   2. Crews use only safe equipment.

   3. The outing is conducted appropriate to the prevailing weather and water conditions which may change at any stage of the outing. No sculler liable to capsize is to be allowed downstream of or linger at the Little Marlow sewage outfall except under close supervision and any that do fall in must return to base for a thorough wash down.

   4. That the members being coached show due consideration to other water users.

   5. That crew members are appropriately dressed for the session and that every cox is properly dressed for the conditions. The Coach is to be particularly alert for symptoms of hypothermia, heat stroke or dehydration.

   6. Particular attention is paid to the coaching of coxes as their competence is essential to water safety as well as to the performance of the crew.

   7. When coaching from the bank a throw line and mobile phone is taken when appropriate.

   8. The coach to athlete ratio should be appropriate to the experience of the athletes as determined by the Head of Rowing or Water Safety Advisor in the interests of safety. Any coach who gets into difficulties controlling a group on the water must radio or phone for assistance or return with all crews to base and reduce the numbers boated in the group.

   9. No child is allowed on the water without the supervision and pre-outing briefing by a coach. Every coach must also check the return of all crews authorised to boat.

10.  It is the school policy not to row after dusk except for senior crews closely accompanied by a coaching launch.  In accordance with the Environment Agency rules of navigation at night, all rowing/sculling boats and launches must display white lights after sunset or before dawn visible from all sides. It is sufficient to mount one on both bow and stern but the school will require that the illuminated area projects forward of the light casing so that white light is visible from the side similar to a cycle lamp. LED lights are permitted but flashing lights are not to be used as main lights. Lights should not be fixed to the riggers as they can be obscured when negotiating bends and turning.

11. In conditions of poor visibility the general guidance is not to boat if visibility is less than 200m. Mist is rarely of consistent density over the full course and the final decision whether or not to boat and the extent of permitted travel will be made by the Head of Rowing, Water Safety Advisor or their nominated deputy after checking the conditions in either direction from a launch.

12. The circulation pattern provided by the Environment Agency  is obligatory and not optional.

OFF-WATER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1. Coaches and crews are to ensure that every care is taken to instruct good technique to prevent injury or damage when lifting boats in and out of the racks and the river or during loading or unloading of trailers. One person is to be in charge of the manoeuvre, giving clear instructions before and during the lift.

2. In the event of a fire at the Boathouse base the site is to be evacuated and all should go straight to the Gossmore Recreation Ground Car Park. Coaches must account for individuals in their charge.

3. RGS Boat Club has a No-Smoking policy in the vicinity of athletes and smoking is not permitted anywhere on the site or pontoons. Parents and coaches are responsible for ensuring that their guests are briefed accordingly.

4. All litter, including water bottles, must be taken home or disposed of in a bin or bag provided.

5. Extreme care is to be taken by all members when using the boathouse site car park in order to prevent injury to people on foot or carrying boats whose vision may be obscured. 

6. The new boathouse site is used by others and all RGS athletes and coaches are to exercise due care and attention when passing through to prevent obstruction or injury to others.  If appropriate, politely ask them to move for their own safety.

BOAT TRANSPORTATION

1. Only individuals authorised by the School, Head of Rowing or Club Manager (as appropriate) may drive a minibus and or tow boat if they possess the appropriate driving and towing licences. All drivers are to be conversant with RowSafe 2024 section 7.2.

2. When boats require transporting to regattas or alternative training locations, the Head of Rowing or delegated coach will detail the trailer loading plan. Loading is to be strictly in accordance with this plan. The driver is to check again that all boats and equipment are safely secured prior to departure and that the necessary requirements for rear projections and lighting are observed.

CONTINUING SAFETY DEVELOPMENT

1. A safety review is the first item on the agenda for all meetings of the coaches meeting and it would assist in the development of best safe practice if it is also placed on the agenda of the meeting with the Director of Sport.

2. There are safety advisers at Longridge, Cookham Sailing Club, Upper Thames Sailing Club, British Rowing, Marlow Rowing Club and other organisations within the area covered by River User Group 6 meetings as well as the Environment Agency. Any material developments or changes to the RGS policy may require prior consultations with some or all of those organisations.

3. In the interests of maintaining good relations, any incidents with other passing rowers or scullers from other schools or clubs or British Rowing or other river users must be reported to the coaches no matter how trivial the incident may appear.

4. From time to time new hazards may appear, particularly after storm or flood conditions, and these must be reported to the coach in charge of the group. Such hazards might comprise newly fallen trees or any large object floating down the river.

5. Best safety practice can only be consistently maintained through a process of good communication and regular review. If any individual identifies any safety related issue which is not documented, or from which they feel others can learn, they should not hesitate to discuss the topic with the Head Coach or an experienced member of the coaching team who can then take the appropriate action.

APPENDIX

 GUIDANCE FOR LAUNCH DRIVERS

1. These guidelines are intended as an introduction to some of the principles of safety provision using powered launches. RGS expects that all launch drivers will be required to complete the RYA Level 2 Powerboat qualification organised by an accredited examiner.

2. The driver of any launch may inadvertently take on responsibilities towards other river users that may require RGS to ensure that permitted drivers are well trained, practised and up to date with current rescue techniques. The primary aim of RGS launch drivers is the coaching of those in their charge but that task must give way to a primary aim of safety or rescue should the need arise whilst not forgetting their own personal safety.

3. Whether coaching or not, a launch driver should:

   1. Wear a ‘kill cord’ attached to his arm or leg to cut the engine in the event of capsize or falling out of the boat.

   2. Keep a good lookout for potential hazards at all times including deteriorating weather.

   3. Avoid overloading the boat and to minimise the effect upon others of the wash created.

   4. Obey speed limits except when following a crew as permitted by BR and the Environment Agency speed exemption rules but, even then, cut the wash when single scullers or novices will be placed in danger by excessive wash.

   5. Follow the rules of navigation by keeping to the cox’s right hand side of the river (bow side or starboard) and when crossing a channel, do so quickly and as near to a right angle as possible – see also paragraphs 1.5 and 1.6 above.

   6. Keep clear of swimmers, fishermen, canoeists and always give way to sail. Be prepared to stop the launch and the crew when not safe and ask permission to pass.

4. When going to the rescue of a distressed person the following basic guidance should be followed:

   1. The only time high-speed manoeuvres may be used is when making the approach to the scene of trouble or in an emergency taking injured rowers back to Longridge or UTSC.

   2. Any high-speed approach must make due allowance for the safety of other river users. Use the audible warning device of the launch kit to alert other craft but give way if needs be.

   3. The final approach to a person in the water must be made carefully at low speed, in order to weigh up the situation and to avoid causing alarm.

   4. Get in close, stop and talk clearly to the person in the water. Make sure they understand what you intend to do and what you want them to do. If the person has lost contact with an upturned boat or if it is desirable to reduce panic, consider providing the person in the water with the emergency buoyancy aid kept in the launch until recovered.

   5. Usually an approach from downstream or downwind if stronger is most appropriate, in order to maintain control of speed and steering but in some situations the RGS launches may have better control if reverse gear is used to hold position.

5. The most common capsize is with single scullers who should be encouraged to follow the capsize drill, right the boat and allow the driver to help them back in. However, whether that is the best course of action will depend variously upon the length of time they have been in the water, temperature, weather and the physical condition of the craft or athlete.

   1. If the situation requires recovery of the rower or rowers from the water the driver must aim to do so without worsening their condition. Such a situation will usually be apparent in the final approach to the scene and the driver should immediately call for any additional help required as he approaches.

   2. In the case of injury it is necessary for the driver to get medical attention as quickly and safely as possible whilst not becoming a victim themselves.

   3. No recovery should be attempted in a RGS launch without first cutting the engine to avoid causing further injury with a rotating propeller even though this may involve temporary loss of directional control.  Leaving the engine in neutral is too dangerous in case the throttle should be accidentally knocked during the rescue manoeuvre. Launches carry a paddle to change the boat orientation so that the river current may be used to push a boat towards the safety of the bank.

   4. The best buoyancy aid is the upturned boat itself, particularly if righted, and the recovery into a RGS launch of any but a lightweight person from the water is extremely difficult without making use of that boat for additional stability to avoid a launch capsize.

   5. If the degree of injury requires immediate attention this must be given by the driver before leaving the site and whilst awaiting further help. Each launch carries a first aid and rescue kit for the purpose.

   6. Where there are several persons in the water and the rowing boat is too damaged to put them back in and row to base or Upper Thames Sailing Club (UTSC), priority must be given to the most seriously injured and the youngest or weakest swimmer. The launch cannot hold more than two passengers at a time and they will need ferrying to the nearest point of safety.

   7. Every launch kit has at least 2 thermal blankets which should be used to retain body heat or if the person is in shock.

6. An upturned boat itself can always be recovered by others.

7. The injured or capsized party may not be a member of the School but the duty to stop and offer immediate help remains the same.

8. Launch drivers must wear suitable clothing themselves for the weather conditions and length of anticipated outing. If necessary, hot drinks should be taken or stops made to exercise cold limbs.

9. All drivers should practice their manoeuvring skills in all conditions until they are second nature or almost instinctive.  Before departing from the pontoon the driver must check that all required equipment is in the launch and that there is adequate fuel for the session.

10. The EA speed exemption applies only when directly engaged in the training, coaching or umpiring of oared and sail vessels and when navigated in the fairway which is normally taken as the centre third of the river.  It does not apply in lock cuts or approaches.

    1. The exemption does not absolve the driver from taking due care not to endanger life or property at any time and the onus of proof is on the driver.