Safety Instructions 2010
The British Rowing Code of Practice for Water Safety will be adhered to at all times.
SAFETY PLAN / INCIDENT PROCEDURE 2010
The Regatta Safety Advisor is Richard O’Neill (
Or
Julie Watson (Mobile: 07966 181375)
If neither are present, another member of the Officials’ team will be allocated the task for the day.
The above may also be contactable via Race control.
Briefing of officials:
See Officials Instructions (separate documents)
a) For the Time Trials:
This will occur before the time trails on Friday and Saturday as needed.
b) For other umpiring duties
At the start of each day and then individual officials may be briefed as they arrive on site for their shift.
Umpires Launches:
The Umpires launches will pick up the first shift of Umpires and Commentators from the enclosure. From then on all Umpires and Commentators will board the launches at the Start. The last shift may be dropped off in the enclosure.
The only reasons for an Umpires launch to enter the enclosure area during racing is to pick up an important personage (as discussed with the start) or in an emergency.
Umpires launches also carry the usual safety boat equipment.
They carry bottled water in hot weather.
Control Commission:
See Officials Instructions (separate document)
To check competitors boats comply with the British Rowing Rules of Racing regarding heel release mechanisms, bow balls, rudder lines and rudders, general boat condition and integrity, buoyancy compartment integrity and coxswains ability to escape from a front loader.
Launching / landing of rowing boats:
The temporary boat stages must be stable, with all planks secure.
All boats (except those with written permission) will boat from and return to the landing pontoons in the enclosure.
All crews MUST boat from the regatta site during the regatta unless permission in writing has been obtained from the Entries Secretary
Crews not storing their boats on the regatta site MUST NOT return to their host boathouse during the hours of racing unless permission in writing has been obtained from the Entries Secretary.
During the Time Trials: All pontoons will be used to launch the crews prior to the time trial and all will be used when the crews return.
During Racing: The pontoons closest to the start will be used for outgoing crews and those closest to the finish will be used for returning crews.
Control Commission: Will ensure the circulation pattern on the pontoons; will remain alert to any problem with the pontoons and report them to the Safety officer. They should ensure that this area is not cluttered with blades / shoes etc.
Circulation patterns / Marshalling instructions:
See Circulation Diagrams and Documentation (separate document).
Including
When/ where practice / warm up / cool down
Cross over points.
Danger points on the river:
On or near the course danger points may include:
The pontoon before the start
The Buoys on and around the course
The Start pontoons
The booms and posts
The weir at Hambledon lock. This is off the course and warm up area, so if crew stays within the circulation pattern it should cause no difficulties.
There is a small official boat ensuing rowing / sculling boats stay within the buoyed warm up area before the Start. See Officials Instructions (separate document)
Sign posting:
Warning notices are displayed on the River stating an event is taking place.
Warning notice are displayed at either end of the Regatta site on the towpath to warn that there is a regatta taking place so they are aware boats may be moving towards the river.
No Entry Sign: This is just past the finish to indicate that crews must not continue down the HRR course and must turn and go back to the Landing pontoons (or Upper Thames Rowing Club with permission).
Summoning Help:
On the Water: Contact the nearest Official who will radio / mobile to the appropriate person.
On land: Contact the nearest Official who will radio / mobile to the appropriate person.
No Entry Sign: This is just past the finish to indicate that crews must not continue down the HRR course and must turn and go back to the Landing pontoons (or Upper Thames Rowing Club with permission).
Safety Boats:
There are 3 stationed along the course during racing and for the 40 minutes before racing starts. They are located, opposite the Start tent (near
They carry all the regulation safety equipment required.
They carry bottled water in hot weather.
First aid positions:
The First aid position is manned by St John Ambulance and they will be situated beside the Chairman’s enclosure, to the left of the Grandstand if looking from the river side. They are in radio contact with the safety advisor. There will be a paramedic present during the regatta.
If competitors have capsized then they will be made aware of water borne diseases as needed.
All staff will be briefed on welfare issues.
Medical support:
The local hospitals (
Welfare of juniors and vulnerable adults:
Welfare plan (See separate document)
There must be an awareness of the possibility of interference / incident involving juniors or vulnerable adults. A short mention will be made of the welfare issues in any briefing. The welfare officer for the Regatta is Diane Graham and she should be informed of any possible incidents. Di Graham will be available for any junior / vulnerable adult to talk to. The contact number for the Welfare officer is available in Race control and on the Results Notice board.
Coaches should ensure that they are adequately dresses for the weather conditions.
Safety Equipment:
Safety Boats: Will be carrying all the regulation safety equipment required, including bottled water in hot weather.
Umpires Launches: Will be carrying all the regulation safety equipment required, including bottled water in hot weather.
Medical personnel: Will have all the regulation equipment required.
8 Fire Extinguishers are available and are situated:
1 x CO2 to hospitality kitchen
1 x CO2 to radio control cabin
2 x Water to showboat by speakers
1 x Water to showboat by bin furthest from river
3 x Water to hospitality tent - guest areas
Communication:
There are 7 radio channels in use:
1) Safety/Medical.
2) Start and Marshalling.
3) Results.
4) Timing (for the Aligners; Finish judges and Race control to communicate).
5) Committee (used by the committee to discuss race issues).
6) Commentary Public Address.
7) Commentary Control.
The first 5 channels each have a base set in the lower part of the control caravan that are monitored by Race Control.
The 2 commentary channels are monitored by the Commentary Team in the upper tier control caravan.
In the event of an incident on the water the commentator: under the instructions of the umpire on the launch; will alert Race Control on the Safety/Medical channel by saying ‘Emergency Situation’ and then will, give location, severity and number of persons involved. Race Control will immediately advise the Safety boats and Start Control of the incident so that additional assistance can be directed to the incident site, and so that racing can be stopped until the course is clear and safety cover restored.
Other commentators should remain silent until commentary control says they may continue to commentate.
In the event of an incident on the land the nearest official: will alert the Medical team via Safety control either with a radio if they have one; by contacting another official who has a radio; via mobile phone; as a last resort using a megaphone.
If an outside Agency (e.g. NHS Ambulance) needs to be called this will be performed by Race Control / Safety Advisor only.
The Committee will all be carrying mobile phones, of which they will all have a list of each others numbers.
See also Radio Protocol Document (Separate document)
Location of Phones:
Telephone numbers of Emergency Services and external ‘Emergency Only’ telephone links are located in the Race Control caravan situated in the main enclosure.
Vehicle / trailer access:
Access to the Car / trailer park is via
From Sat 12th June to Sunday 20th June all Vehicles / trailers will enter
In the event of a major or minor incident the vehicle circulation patter may need to be changed.
All Vehicles and Trailers must be parked on the opposite side of Remenham lane from the enclosure.
Certain vehicles with specific passes may park at the back of the enclosure (e.g committee members and Show boat retailers).
Care must be taken when boats are brought across the road from the Car Park to the enclosure site.
Care must be taken not to block any access as there must always be access to the back of the enclosure for emergency vehicles even in the event of bad weather conditions e.g. Mud.
The following information is in the Competitors instructions.
Instructions to cars and trailers – One Way System
Friday 18th June - Sunday 20th June 2010
HWR and the residents of the area request that all competitors and spectators follow a self imposed “one-way” system along
Please follow the following circulation pattern especially with trailers and minibuses/vans from Saturday 12th June - Sunday 20th June and especially on Friday evening 18th June when
Please enter the regatta via the top of Remenham Hill and leave the regatta by proceeding along
Racking and boat storage:
There will be racking for boats available in the enclosure at the owners risk (there are security guards on site on the nights of the Thursday, Friday and Saturday). The racks will be available from Tuesday 15th afternoon till Sunday 20th June. If boats have not been removed by the end of Sunday then they will have to be removed by the committee at the competitors risk and expense. The committee will not be liable for any damage that may occur.
Care must be taken to tie the boats to the racks so that they do not fall off in a wind and smash or hit someone.
Tentage and other structures:
There are numerous tents / marquees on the site. All guy ropes should be clearly visible. All Electrical cables should be above blade and head height or underground.
Care should be taken in the Grandstand in wet weather.
Wet Weather Plans:
Wet weather plans (see separate document)
In the event of bad weather creating problems e.g. Mud the Wet weather plan will be followed.
Incident Procedure on Water:
In the case of an incident on the water necessitating action by the Safety Team, the Safety Net radio on the Umpire’s launch is to be used to summon assistance, advise location, severity, and numbers involved. Umpire launch teams will stand by to give immediate assistance as necessary.
All safety calls are to be routed via Race Control who will alert the safety team. The raft marshals will also be alerted so that the rafts and the immediate areas can be cleared to allow access for the safety boats and emergency services.
Incident procedure on Land:
Cases of accidents on the land should be directed to the St John Ambulance centre at the rear of the enclosure. First Aid will be provided and a Paramedic is in attendance.
Incident reports are to be completed by Officials and parties involved. Accident reports should be completed, where possible, by the Medical Team and
Cancelling / suspension:
In the week before the regatta the water levels in the river will be monitored and in consultation with the Environment agency a decision will be reached if the Regatta will go ahead as planned: some events will go ahead as planned and others cancelled: or a head style race may be performed for some or all events. Red or Yellow boards may affect which launches may be used.
In the event of a Foot and mouth outbreak or an environmental spill in the river (that may cause serious harm following immersion or ingestion) the event may need to be cancelled.
The Safety Adviser and the Chairman of the Race Committee, in consultation with the Environment Agency representative where appropriate, will monitor weather and water conditions during the Regatta and the period immediately prior to the commencement of racing. Should they find that conditions are such as to jeopardise the safe running of the regatta, and in particular, the safety of participants, they will stop or suspend racing in total or by class of event, until such time as conditions are considered safe.
Thunder & Lightning (within 5 miles) or other relevant major emergency:
The Regatta will abide by the 30:30 rule. If there is 30 seconds between the flash of lightning (or less) and the sound of thunder then the course will start to be evacuated. The course will remain clear until 30 minutes after the storm has passed.
In the event of Thunder and Lightning or other relevant major emergency all persons afloat must move to an accessible part of the bank and disembark from their boats.
Rowing / Sculling boats in the warm up area before the start: will disembark at the pontoon before the start. The safety boat opposite the start and the official’s launches will ensure all boats are off the water, then disembark themselves. This will be overseen by the official stationed near the pontoon.
Rowing / Sculling boats on the start pontoons; may be brought into the bank beside the start, this will be overseen by the start team.
Rowing / Sculling boats racing along the course: will be directed to the nearest safe landing spot by the umpire following the race, who will then disembark themselves.
Rowing / Sculling boats near / around the finish: will be directed to
Rowing / Sculling boats leaving the pontoon to go and race: will be directed back to the pontoon by the crossing marshal; nearest official or the centre Safety Launch. This will be overseen by Control Commission. The Safety launch will ensure there are no boats on the centre of the river then disembark themselves.
Umpires Launches, unless following a race go to the nearest back and all personnel to disembark.
Blades should be carried low and horizontally.
Accident and Emergency plan:
In any emergency all communications should be routed through Race control, who are in communication with all safety personnel and officials. They will deploy safety personnel as needed and will inform the start if racing needs to be suspended or stopped. They will also be able to contact the local emergency services.
For specific accidents / emergencies see above.
Separate Documents related to Safety Plan:
General Safety Statement
Officials Instructions
Wet Weather Plans
Welfare Statement and Plan
Competitors Instructions
Circulation Diagrams and documentation.
Radio Protocol document