Staines Boat Club Water Safety Plan
Introduction
Almost any
sport, and certainly any water sport, involves some risk. In order to ensure
that all members of Staines Boat Club (SBC) and affiliated rowers British
Airways (BA) and Sir William Perkins School (SWPS) can enjoy rowing in safety,
and to comply with the Amateur Rowing Association’s (ARA’s) Water Safety Code,
it is necessary for the club to have a Water Safety Plan.
All members and
visitors to SBC shall comply with the requirements of the Water Safety
Plan and other associated documents which may be in force at the time (as
notified by the SBC committee).
Most of the
rules and advice contained in this document are based on simple common sense,
so with the help of SBC members it should largely enforce itself. If you see
any incident which you feel may lead to an accident or injuries, then SAY
SOMETHING, do not assume someone else will deal with it. Any serious incidents
or breaches of the plan should be reported to a committee member.
Associated Documents
This document
supplements the rules and advice given in the two documents produced by the ARA
and the Environment Agency (EA).
1. ARA Water Safety Code
2. A User’s Guide to the River Thames
There are up to
date copies of both documents in the Safety Binder which is located in the
store cupboard in the boat house. They are both accessible through the relevant
organisation’s web sites (links above) and you are advised to familiarise
yourselves with them.
The following
sections expand the generic rules of the ARA water safety code to take on board
the local conditions and practices covering the Staines Reach.
Accident and Incident Log
There is an ARA
approved accident log attached to the notice board by the changing rooms. If
you are involved in an accident (especially if it involves damage or injury)
please report it to a committee member and record it in the log.
First Aid
The first aid
box is located on a hook just inside the boat house door (there is also a
limited number of supplies in the store cupboard). It is for EMERGENCY USE
ONLY. Blisters are an occupational risk for rowers and oarsmen/scullers should
bring their own supplies for running repairs to hands etc. The first aid kit will
be regularly checked, however if you do use some of the contents please let a
committee member know so that it can be restocked as soon as possible.
Telephone Numbers
Emergency telephone numbers are displayed next to the phone.
Call 999 in case of an emergency and be prepared to describe the incident and its location.
Useful numbers for the club are:
| Bell Weir Lock (upstream): | 01784 432333 |
| Penton Hook Lock (downstream): | 01784 452657 |
| Local Navigation Office: | 0118 953 5577 |
In the event that the SBC telephone is out of order or you are out on the river when in need of the phone
the nearest public telephone’s can be found at:
- Runnymede Hotel & Lock Keeper, Surrey side, upstream of M25 bridge
- The Swan Pub – upstream of Staines Bridge on the Surrey Side
- Thames Lodge downstream of Railway Bridge on the Middlesex side
- Wheatsheaf & Pidgeon – Wheatsheaf Lane, Middlesex Side upstream of Silvery Sands
- Coopers Close, Off Chertsey Lane towards Chertsey
Insurance and ARA membership
All boats used
by members of the club and visitors must carry at least 3rd Party
insurance. SBC crew boats (2-/x, 4+/-/x and 8+) are all covered by the club’s 3rd
Party Insurance. Club sculls are only insured where they have a sticker on the
splashboard confirming that it is insured by SBC. If you borrow a private boat
ensure that you are covered with the owner. It is yours, not the clubs,
responsibility to ensure that you are adequately covered.
At the time of
this document ARA membership includes personal accident insurance cover for
members while engaged “in any activity of the insured organisation anywhere in
the world including direct travel to and from such activity within Great
Britain, Northern Island, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man”. It is
strongly recommended that club members join the ARA whether they intend to race
or not to take advantage of this scheme. SBC’s insurance does not cover members
for personal injury.
Rowing after Dusk
Rowing after
dusk is only permitted if the boat is carrying two white lights which are
visible a full 360o at all times.
In the interest of safety the committee has decided that the circulation plan for night rowing will be as follows:
- No rowing above Staines Road Bridge
- Once boated, paddle upstream past the bandstand before turning, row down below railway bridge
- When rowing downstream, ensure that once having passed under the Railway Bridge, turn immediately to bow side and keep close to the bank
- All crews turning downstream of the railway bridge, please proceed to the white
house below the bridge, the crossing point when coming into the landing stage,
where there is much more light to be seem whilst turning
- Night time rowing is between the church and county stone
- Crossing back into the club will take place between
the white house (Regatta House) and railway bridge. All crews will
STOP and check before crossing (This applies both night and day,
coxed and coxless)
- Hi vis bibs to worn by bow and cox in stern loaded boats, bow and
stroke in coxless boats. This also applies to scullers
- All boats will be fitted with a working white light front and back, "it was on when I went out isn't an excuse"
- Lights will be fitted and operational 2 hours before “lighting
up time”
- Experienced coxes and steers persons only
- On the white board on the boathouse doors please jot down, the name
of the boat going out, who is in the crew and a contact phone number. Wipe
out the details when you return. The last crew coming back in to check that
all boats are returned, otherwise call the contact number.
Crews are also recommended to wear light coloured or reflective clothing.
Only experienced steersmen or coxes should
row the Staines reach after dark. Remember, compared to most other vessels you
are small, close to the water and very hard to see.
Equipment
Your safety is
significantly affected by the condition of the equipment you choose to row or
scull in. You must make sure that the boat you are going to use is in a safe
condition before you go down to the landing stage. Boats that have a missing or
defective bow ball, heel restraints or buoyancy compartments shall not be used.
Any maintenance problem or damage to a club boat should be reported to the Maintenance
Officer and/or a committee member as soon as possible.
Environmental Conditions
Visibility and river conditions can vary rapidly and you must be sure that you are happy with the conditions prior to going on to the water. The wind can quickly cause chop on the Staines reach which can swamp a rowing boat.
The Staines reach of river is controlled by weirs at both ends and the stream conditions can vary rapidly with the opening and closing of sluice gates. Both locks will display coloured boards indicating the stream conditions.
A YELLOW BOARD with STREAM INCREASING means that the flow will be rising.
A YELLOW BOARD with STREAM DECREASING means that the flow has started to drop. Members are allowed to row on Yellow Boards if they have been given permission by a member of the committee or an approved coach. A list of approved coaches is displayed in the clubhouse. If a committee member is not confident in their rowing experience to give permission then they must seek advice from a more experienced member or approved coach.
The club will not be held responsible for those members who row on Yellow Boards without permission.
All those aged 16 or under must have bank/launch support at all times (not just on Yellow Boards).
Judgement Criteria
- Stream speed (visual)
- Weather condition particularly wind/gusts
- Visibility
- Crew ability
- Steering ability of cox/steers
- Other crews on the water
A RED BOARD indicates that the stream is at a potentially hazardous level and no one should go onto the river without a safety assessment being made by 2 committee members. Should the committee members concur that the river is safe to row then only large boats (4/8+) with experienced coxswains shall row. A safety launch must also be in attendance.
If in doubt do not risk it.
Local Navigation Rules
All members of
SBC, SWPS, BA and their guests must abide by the local navigation rules at all
times.
- All crews/scullers shall keep to the
right of the river (bowside blades near to the bank).
- Overtaking can only be done on the
left (slower crews near to the bank).
- Crews/scullers going downstream have
right of way at all times.
- Crews/scullers should pass through
the Railway Bridge through the centre arch except for when approaching the
landing stage.
- Crews/scullers should pass through
the Staines Town Bridge going upstream via the town centre arch (RHS while
facing upstream) and via the central arch while going downstream.
- No crews/scullers are permitted to
pass downstream of Silvery Sands unless they are to pass through Penton
Hook Lock to reach the Burway reach. This may not be done under any circumstances
if a Yellow or Red board is in force.
- No crews/scullers may turn on the river
except in the turning zones indicated below (copies posted on the notice
board by the changing rooms)
Rules of the Landing Stage
While using the
landing stage at SBC a certain amount of common sense is required. The landing
stage is a first come first served situation. However if two boats need the
same space on the landing stage at the same time the crew in the water has
priority. If is safer for you to stand on the bank and wait for the other crew
to come in than to have the other crew drifting while waiting for you to put
your boat in the water.
In busy periods
do not adjust at the landing stage (do so prior to getting there or out in the
water) and do not leave a boat on station at the landing stage while you swop a
crew member or someone goes to the toilet etc. Take the boat out of the water
and let others use the stage.
Capsize or Sinking
In the event of
a capsize or sinking STAY WITH THE BOAT, it will continue to float and will
make it easier for a rescuer to spot you. If the stream is taking you towards
an obstruction, such as a bridge pier, try and keep the boat between you and
the obstruction so it can provide you with a degree of protection.
Sculler’s, Coxswain’s and Crew Responsibilities
All persons participating in rowing or sculling must be in good health and be able to swim a minimum of
100m in light clothing and shoes.
It is mandatory for ALL coxswain's to wear a life jacket when taking to the water.
Staines Boat holds regular swim tests for all members to take part in.
It is mandatory for all U18’s to have to completed the swim test or be booked
on the next available swim test session to be eligible to row.
The preferred environment for the swim test is the river, however if deemed appropriate the
successful completion of 100m pool session will be accepted as ‘passing’ the swim test.
If parent / guardian has any doubt on a minors swim ability it will be necessary
for them to wear ‘new’ safety jacket until swim test proves competency.
Any SBC member who is in any doubt of their fitness to participate in rowing or sculling
should check with their GP before taking part in any strenuous activity.
Coach’s Launch
It is mandatory for all launch drivers and their passengers to wear a life jacket when taking to the water.
Before coaching launch is taken afloat the driver is responsible for making sure that the following items are taken aboard, no gear, use a bike!
| - Bailer | - Anchor (with sufficient rope!) |
| - Sound Signalling Device | - Engine Cut out Lanyard (Kill Cord) |
| - Simple Hand holds for the side of the vessel | - Throw Line (at least 15m) with knot at one end |
| - Sharp Knife | - Life ring & Spare Life Jacket |
| - Paddle | - Thermal Blanket |
Drivers of the
launch must be aware of the wash that is created. This is especially relevant
when the launch is following a crew boat at speed. Even with the design of the
club’s launch which minimises wash there is the potential to swamp small boats
and make it uncomfortable to row in larger boats. When you approach a crew boat
or scull please slow down in good time so that your wash is minimised.
Common Sense
Scullers are
advised not to go out alone, especially after dark. If you choose to do so then
make sure someone knows you are out and when you are expected to return.