River Teign Rowing Club

1. River Teign Rowing Club Pre Season meeting Agenda • Welcome and introductory comments • Safety Briefing, inc ‘Safety Guidelines for Seine Boats & Gigs’ • Gig briefing • Race committee briefing • Summary & close

2. River Teign Rowing Club Welcome

3. Safety Briefing SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I ROW? • All rowers must be familiar and comply with the club safety charter). Available on the club website www.rtrc.co.uk or in print from the club secretary • Generic risk assessments and emergency action plan documents on website • The cox is responsible for the safety of the boat and crew, must be fully aware of the club safety code The following is provided to give some assistance in carrying out a site specific risk assessment: • All rowers must be current members of the club and coxes must be on the club register (contact membership secretary Sharon Sanger if clarification is needed)

4. SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I ROW? • It is advised that you do not launch if: • You are in doubt about anything! • The boat and equipment is not in good condition • Rowers do not have appropriate clothing • Inshore forecast predicts inclement conditions • Visibility is less than approx 500m e.g. you cannot see the bridge from back beach • Local wind strength is more than force 4, indicated by e.g. white caps visible, dust, leaves and waste paper raised • Temperature is below freezing (including wind chill)

5. SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I ROW? Be wary of going out to sea in a seine boat if any of above plus: • Inexperienced crew • Inexperienced cox • within 2 hours of ebb tide • You can see any white water at sea – sea state moderate or rough • Mid ebb/flow spring tides • Stay in channel to beyond sand bars

6. SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I ROW? Useful information sources: • Brixham Coastguard tel 01803 882704 • Met Office inshore forecast www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather • Members of the club safety group • Teignmouth Harbour Commission • Local fishermen Failure to comply with club rules/recommendations could result in suspension for the cox and loss of insurance cover.

7. River Teign Rowing Club Gig Briefing

8. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season • Rationale • Protocols • Rules • 2010 Changes • Penalties • Cox and crew Responsibilities • During the Race

9. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season • Protocols • All instructions to crews will be via VHF radio • Crews should start on the aural signal as received over the VHF radio – will be flag also • The start procedure will be • Crews called to the line • When the race officials are satisfied that the line is ready, a nominated race official will say “Oars forward”, and then “Go” • Marshal will call water using the VHF radio, and a megaphone if possible.

10. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season Rules • Race officials responsible for making decisions during a race • Decisions will be made during the race only • Will be ratified at a brief officials meeting immediately after the race • No retrospective decisions made • Not based on hearsay evidence • Race Committee’s decision is final and there will be no right of appeal

11. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season 2010 Changes • Emphasis on coxswains • In line with training • Subject to penalties • Red and yellow flag/card system is to be in operation for infringements • Crews penalised by position for start line infringement

12. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season Penalties • Yellow card – two yellow cards received will lead to a coxing ban for ONE race ( to include all of Junior, Women and Men’s races) • Red card - This will lead to a two race ban for the next two races ( to include all of Junior, Women and Men’s races) • The exception - Yellow will be given for a start line infringement, but will incur an immediate one race ban • Banned cox should help Race Committee during next race The Race Committee can, in serious circumstances extend the ban following a red card offence, and will refer the coxswain to the Safety Committee for training.

13. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season Examples of Penalties • Start line infringement ( over line/ running start) –yellow card/ immediate ONE race ban and crew to start the next race in their appropriate position but behind the line with clear water between them and the boats in front. There will be no gap on the line for the penalised boat. • Intentional clashing/ignoring water being called - yellow card • Dissent by crew/cox – yellow card • Dangerous coxing – red card/ two + race ban • Unsporting Behaviour – red card

14. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season Coxswain Responsibilities • Ensuring you have been authorised to cox the relevant category of boat by RTRC. • Ensuring your boat is properly equipped with: • Bailer • Lifejacket for coxswain and any juniors • Flares, readily to hand for use by coxswain and within expiry date • Boat number properly displayed on bow and aft quarters (min 175mm high) • Boat number properly displayed on flag (min 175mm high) and flag fixings in place (club does not provide boat numbers but these can be purchased locally) black on white. • a VHF radio switched to the appropriate channel as advised on the day at the Coxes meeting • Tow ropes (16' bow & stern with clips) and bow fender

15. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season Coxswain Responsibilities • The safety and conduct of the rowers and that the Safety Code and Charters are being complied with at all times • Knowledge of the MSA rules of the road and good boat handling skills • Ensuring that the crew has been properly entered/registered by the deadline • Attending the coxes meeting and understanding all instructions given – don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are not sure of something • Getting your boat and crew swiftly and safely to the start line. • Not obstructing the ferry or lifeboat slip

16. Race Rules and Protocols 2010 Season During the race • Emergency procedure • Row through Finish line • Collision Avoidance – ANTICIPATION • Steer straight course • Stationary start • Communication via VHF from and to Coxswain