safety plan for ross rowing club · launch capable of rescuing a whole crew from a large boat. a...

RRC REGATTA SAFETY PLAN 2018 Dave Sykes - Event Safety Adviser

Safety Plan for Ross Rowing Club Regattas

Taking place on Sunday August 26th and Monday August 27th 2018 at Ross Rowing Club, The Rope Walk, Ross-on-

Wye, HR9 7BU

OS Grid ref of entrance for cars and trailers SO 598 245, Lat & Long: Lat - 51.918327, Long ‐ 2.5850384 Contact details:

Tim Davies - Regatta Organising Committee Chairman & Secretary: [email protected] ;

Dave Sykes - Safety Adviser: 07771 805354; [email protected]

1.0 Introduction

The Regatta will be held on the River Wye from approximately 900m upstream to 100m downstream of the Rowing Club Steps. The racing will be over 550m on Sunday and 750m on Monday. There will be approximately 50 events on Sunday August 27th and similarly approximately 50 events for Monday August 28th in two Divisions. There will be competition at Junior, Open and Masters Levels. All crews are required to be able to steer a course. Racing will be in fine boats, two lanes head to head racing under British Rowing Rules. Ross Rowing Club works to provide a safe environment in accordance with British Rowing’s “Row Safe”, although competitors, coaches and clubs are specifically reminded that:

• Every adult attending the event, including those competing, or officiating, is personally responsible for their

own safety

• Competitors, together with their coaches, shall decide whether or not they are competent to compete in the weather and river conditions as they find them on the day

• A ‘responsible adult’ shall accompany juniors competing in the event to assist them ‘in loco parentis’ and assumes responsibility for their safety and welfare.

2.0 Event Organisation Organised by: Ross Rowing Club

Organising Committee

Role Name Contact No Email

Chairman: Graham Watling 07967 265299 [email protected]

Regatta Secretary Ollie Sturgess [email protected]

Event Water Safety Adviser David Sykes 07771 805354 [email protected]

Event Welfare Officer Wendy Burden 07783 004507 [email protected]

Organising Committee Chairman Tim Davies 07785 246721 [email protected]

Mens Captain Tim Ball 07837 586526 [email protected]

Ladies Captain Annie Williams 07887 520019 [email protected]

Facilities Director Torsten Pope 07967 657625 [email protected]

Race Committee

Chairman Mike Jones 07981 240897 [email protected]

Umpire: Bryn Hughes 01989 565824 [email protected]

Coordinating Umpire: Neil Lucas 01989 565081 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]








2.1 Communication

2.1.1 General

a) Navigation Authority / Local land owners Environmental Agency informed of event no further permission or conditions required.

lynn.bulbeck@environment‐agency.gov.uk & paul.senior@environment‐agency.gov.uk

Letters to land owners, Mr. Scudamore & Mrs. Brewer, sent as required.

b) Emergency Services Herefordshire Emergency Services, notified using ‘Herefordshire Public Event Safety Advisory Group Form’

[covers Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue, West Mercia Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service]

c) Highways/community/Other River users Advertised in local paper a few weeks before event, published on RRC Website and Facebook page.

d) First Aid Provided by St Johns Ambulance - 2 people, located along river bank between Club House and Control

Commission. Defibrillator in Club House. Advanced First Aiders available from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

e) Third party Services e.g. PA system, on site Retailers, Electrical supplies, Waste Water, Sanitary services, Photographic Services, Food Supplies Register of Retail contacts and Facilities Supplies maintained by RRC Officials

f) For participants Documents published on RRC Website include:

Regatta Poster

Competitor Instructions

Course Map & Circulation Pattern showing Emergency Access Location

Welfare Plan & Statement, and downloadable Welfare Form for visiting Clubs Safety Plan Risk Assessment

g) Cancellation or curtailment of the event The Race Committee will monitor river and weather conditions prior to the event and should conditions have the potential to significantly increase the risk associated with participating in the Regatta the Race Committee Chairman will take the decision to abandon the Regatta.

This will be communicated to participants and all relevant parties by means of a formal PA announcement/ Notice on the RRC Website/Facebook Page/Emails to all key Club contacts

2.1.2 At the start of the event

a) Organizers / Umpires, marshals, monitors/safety people, 3rd party services (Rescue Launches / First Aid) Notification of planned safety briefings, to be held on the Boat House ramp before racing commences by a RRC Official.

b) For participants • Competitor instructions and Safety documentation available to download from RRC website. • Notification of the Abandonment Plan, will be issues by the Regatta Race Committee Chairman • Boats on/off Protocol - a RRC Official at boat check, and helpers on beach will endeavor to ensure that:

o All crews are aware of the circulation pattern and be advised of river hazards. o All crews must pass through Boat Check to ensure boat integrity to BR guidelines. o Coxes to wear the appropriate buoyancy aid. o Boating area clearly marked and instruction on Blades location o Boats on & boats off areas checked for potential sharp hazards (broken glass etc) and prepared for ease of

descent; crews reminded to wear footware when handling boats on and off the water.

• Care to be exercised when crossing the public footpath. • Marshals on duty to monitor flow of boats, crews and public.


c) For EWSA • Monitor conditions • Advise on the starting, suspension, alteration or abandonment of the event.

2.1.3 During the event

a) Organisers Radio communications protocol will be explained at the pre-race briefing with specified channels for Emergency,

Umpires and General use. Key contact mobile telephone numbers are included in the Regatta documentation and will be held at Start, Finish, with Umpires pack, Race Control and Registration in addition to First Aid and Notice Board.

b) For EWSA Monitor conditions and incidents or occurrences during the event.

Advise on the starting, suspension, alteration or abandonment of the event.

Any incidents shall be reported to the Regatta Race Chairman to action as required.

2.1.4 Post event

a) Participants / Officials Any feedback or comments on the competition / event safety cover after the event should be sent to : Regatta

Secretary email: [email protected]

Hold post event debrief meeting by Regatta Organising Committee within 1 month to feedback any key issues. b) For participants

Describe any plans for debrief after the event to review safety of the event.

2.2 Documentation • Safety Plan (This document) • Risk Assessment • Emergency Access Points

• Emergency Response Plan • Competitor Instructions • Course Map & Circulation Pattern • Welfare Plan & Statement

• Marshalling Instructions • Radio Protocol • Safety Launch Equipment

2.3 Safety Monitor Dave Sykes – Ross Rowing Club Safety Officer will be in attendance throughout the regatta and will be available by radio to help the coordinating umpire with safety issues. Other positions of cover by RRC Officials:

• Car Park and Trailer Park • Access Road • Bankside Path • Boats On and Boats Off • Control Commission • Race Registration • Start, Finish and by the Club House


2.4 Safety boats Provider of safety boats RRC

Number of safety boats 3

Are all drivers trained to nationally recognised standards of RYA Level 2 Powerboat or equivalent

Yes

Location of safety boats Steps, Bridge, and Ferry

RRC has three coaching launches, tin fish types, which also carry safety equipment and would perform rescue functions should the need arise. The coaching launches are capable of alerting the recovery services, helping to recover boats and crews to the bank and also to evacuate one or a maximum of two people at a time who are injured or regarded as at high risk. Neither the nature of the river nor the risk analysis indicates the need for a large launch capable of rescuing a whole crew from a large boat.

A List of equipment carried on board is included in the documentation.

Launch Protocol: Drivers & Passengers sit down wear Life Jackets normally manned by Driver plus one passenger/assistant, Driver to have engine kill cord attached. Safety kit on board. Blue Box, Throw lines, paddle, grab lines on gunnels, deployable boarding ladder.

3. Accident & Emergency Procedures • On Water and off Water – in case of an accident or emergency the first duty is to the safety of the competitor

or any person in difficulty. • Water Based Incident – Nearest Umpire radios to All Points or Safety Launch. In the case of a capsize the

competitor/s will disembark at the Club House. • Marshalls will be situated at the START, 250m and 500m along the course and on the FINISH. A safety launch

will be situated one at the Bridge and one at the Club House. • Land Based incidents Controlled initially by those in immediate attendance until the Safety Officer and or the

First Aider takes over responsibility. First Aid Cover Provider St Johns Ambulance Qualifications Registered First Aiders Location On River bank between Club House and Control Commission Number of people Two Qualified First Aiders Equipment Defibrillator, oxygen, advance first aid skills from 8.30am until 5.30pm.

Emergency Services Nearest Hospital with Accident & Emergency Hereford

Travel Times Approx. 30 minutes, HR1 2ER

Ambulance response time Subject to West Midlands Ambulance Service Response

Emergency Access points Club House HR9 7BU and Homs Road Car Park HR9 7DE

Who will meet and guide Emergency Services: An Official of RRC Emergency Equipment A list of equipment is provided with this pack for the Safety Launches Pre Boating Safety Checks Onus is on the competing Clubs to present their boats at Boat Pairing ensuring they confirm to the rules of racing. Boat pairing will take place before each race as per British Rowing guidelines. No crew should Boat On until they have agreed boating with their opposition.


4. Welfare Plan & Statement Please refer to Document included with this pack.

RRC Safety Plan Approved by: RRC Officer Signature Date

CLUB CHAIRMAN Graham Watling 6/8/18

CLUB PRESIDENT Jeremy Picton-Turbervill 6/8/18

RACE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Mike Jones 6/8/18

MENS CAPTAIN Tim Ball 6/8/18

LADIES CAPTAIN Annie Williams 6/8/18

REGATTA ORGANSISING CHAIRMAN Tim Davies 6/8/18

SAFETY OFFICER Dave Sykes 6/8/18

WELFARE OFFICER Wendy Burden 6/8/18

Reference Documents

• HSG195 – The Event Safety Guide • British Rowing’s Rules of Racing • RowSafe, RowSafe +, RowSafe Further Guidance • British Rowing Welfare Guidance – WG 3.4 • http://www.movable-‐type.co.uk/scripts/latlong-‐‐gridref.html • http://www.britishrowing.org/news/2012/december/12/safety-basics-interactive-risk-assessment-module

http://www.britishrowing.org/news/2012/december/12/safety-