Safety Statement
The Regatta is held in accordance with the ARA Rules of Racing and accordingly the ARA Code of Practice for Water Safety will be implemented in all respects.
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.
Safety boats manned by rescue personnel during all periods of racing and authorised practice will monitor water borne activities.
During racing additional safety provision will be provided by the Umpire launches. The Umpires, whilst proceeding to the Start, act as safety boats monitoring activity on the water. If required they will continue beyond the Start into the “warm-up” area where they will patrol until the time for their race or until the next umpire’s launch comes into sight.
The Umpire’s first responsibility is the safety of the competitor and should an accident occur involving a competitor in a race, the Umpire will render immediate assistance. In addition he will ensure that Race Control is informed by radio link of the incident, its location, severity, and the numbers 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.
Throughout the hours of racing there will be a Doctor and a St John’s Ambulance first aid team on site. These, plus the three safety launches, and the Umpire’s launches will be linked by radio to the Race Control Caravan.
Incident Procedure
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.
Cases of accidents on the land should be directed to the St John’s Ambulance centre at the rear of the enclosure. First Aid will be provided and a Doctor is in attendance.
Telephone numbers of Emergency Services and external ‘Emergency Only’ telephone links are located in the Race Control caravan situated in the main enclosure.
Incident reports are to be completed by Officials and parties involved. Accident reports should be completed, where possible, by the Medical Team and St John.