Safety Plan 2016
To be reviewed 2017
 Objective
This safety plan is aimed at promoting safe and responsible use of equipment by all members and to
ensure that the club is run in a safe and organised manner.
Eastbourne Rowing Club aims to :
•
•
•
•
•
Provide a safe, happy, positive and supportive environment for both competitive and fun rowing
for all ages.
To promote rowing for developing an individual’s health and fitness level
Provide the best facilities and equipment for our members.
Learning to work together as a team
Increase club membership utilising shared set values and behaviours through a disciplined
approach to training.
•
To row well is to row safely
 Safety Plan
This safety plan is in addition to the Coast Amateur Rowing Association Rules we are regulated by,
ERC Bylaws & Constitution and the Row Safety Guide as issued by British Rowing.
A copy will be distributed electronically to all members ( and parents in case of Under 16 members)
and a hard copy will be available in the clubhouse with the Club Constitution and Codes of Conduct
( Athletes, Training, Parent & Coach).
 Club Boundaries
The club is situated on Royal Parade, Eastbourne Seafront and the building adjoins Eastbourne
Voluntary Lifeguards. The rowing club boundaries lie between the first groyne east of the club to the
first groyne west of the club, and under supervised activity, the car park.
 Boat Training :
Split into Summer ( April to September) and Winter ( October to March)
Summer Training
All coastal rowing activity between April and September takes place from the boathouse on the sea
dependent on tide, water temperature and wind conditions. The club does not participate in rowing at
night on the sea. As we use the sea during the late spring through to late summer, we have to be aware
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-1-
of other sea users ( for example Eastbourne Sovereign Sailing Club, Spray Watersports, general public
and swimmers or Lifeguards training on beach next to us).
Winter training
Rowing takes place on Wallershaven on the A 259 (Marsh Rd). Again this is dependent on conditions
as the river can be frozen, the pontoon may be deemed too icy to use and the water level may be too
high / running too fast to safely launch boats. We have to be aware of other users on this river such as
Bexhill Rowing Club or Fishermen as well as leaving this area free from rubbish.
Risk Assessments have been done for both areas and are attached to this document
 Changes and Annual Review
The contents of the Safety Plan will be reviewed annually or more frequently if required ( e.g. following
outcome of incidents etc) and if any safety issues are not felt to be adequately covered by the ERC
Committee.
 Club Officers
Whilst safety is the responsibility of ALL members, the Club committee will oversee and administer
safety. In particular the Club Captain, Vice-Captain and Water Safety Advisor will be expected to
ensure that safe rowing practice is observed and be aware of the Row Safe Guide.
 Coaches
Will be responsible to ensuring that safe rowing is adopted by the crews they coach and where they see
unsafe practices being carried out by other rowers.
 General Safety
Requirements of all active members:
All rowers who intend to row should be in good health. New members should declare any disability or
underlying medical condition on their application form. Existing members whose health changes to the
extent it could affect their safety whilst rowing must make the changes known. ( The club will check
this when membership is renewed every 6 months and all members will be expected to sign and date
this declaration.)
All active rowers and coxes must be able to tread water for 2 minutes, swim 100m in light clothing and
also under water for 5m. The club will endeavour to assess all members – old and new - annually to
show competence of the above and this will be recorded with the Club’s Membership records and the
information shared with Committee members in order to help with training plans for club nights &
events.
 Assessment of new members
New members must have their swim ability assessed and their rowing competency assessed if they have
rowed before. They will have the club’s safety rules explained to them prior to being allowed on the
water.
Rowing status to be assessed and agreed by club committee.
GreenOver 18, competent rowers, able to train safely on own / as crew, includes experienced
scullers.
Amber Over 18, competency increasing, able to train on water with other more competent
crews, includes scullers whose competency has been assessed by coach.
Red Under 18, can only train on water with other competent crews and experienced
coxswain. This includes novice scullers.
 Equipment
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-2-
Club equipment can only be used with permission from the Club Captain or another senior member of
the committee. The Captain will take various factors into account including the rowing capabilities of
the person or crew requesting permission, sea and weather conditions (or river conditions over the
winter).
 Damaged Equipment
Boats that are damaged or in need of repair must not be used. Any damage to a boat or other safety
equipment within the club eg life jackets, blades must be detailed in the incident log sheet (on safety
notice board), a sign put on the damaged equipment and then reported to Captain, Water Safety Officer
or Senior Committee Member.
No boat should be used without fully intact heel restraints in place. Heel restraints allow feet to be
easily released from the shoe in event of capsize. They should be checked regularly (monthly at
minimum or ideally at every outing) by the person(s) intending to use the boat. They can be tested by
tugging each shoe upwards so as to check the integrity of the restraint. If it is found to be broken or
breaks on testing, then it should be replaced with a new restraint and if not repaired immediately, then
reported as described above.
 Navigation
River : boats keep to the right hand side in the direction of travel, no further than indicated by senior
members in charge of the session. Care to be taken around the pump station and weir.
Potential Hazards – Parking / Turning in from busy road Dogleg bends Pump Station & Weir
On A259
Overtaking, the faster boat is responsible for collision avoidance and only if the river is wide enough
and there is no opposing boat. Over taking is only allowed on the straight sections, not on the bends.
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-3-
Sea : care should be taken around hazards on the beach such as the groynes around splash point as they
extend further into the sea at this point, steel wires by the Inshore Lifeboat to the east of the club and
other sea users. There is no rowing through the pier spans due to underwater dangers. Do not row out
past the end of the pier especially in small boats in case of capsize / sinking or if being rowed by under
16’s / novice rowers.
 Coxing
Any person steering the boat is responsible for the crew in their charge, unless they are junior members
when they cannot be legally responsible. If a junior is coxing, then responsibility for the outing should
be by another experienced member of the crew.
Inexperienced coxes must not take out boats without an experienced crew member or coach to supervise
the outing.
Coxes must wear an approved suitable lifejacket at all times and they must be suitably dressed at all
times whilst in the boat. They must not go out unsuitably attired.
Junior Rowing must be supervised by a competent adult coach / senior member.
A Junior rower is defined as under 18 but competent members over 15 years may be treated as adult
rowers and afforded a reduced level of supervision.
 Boating
Inside the clubhouse BEWARE of trip hazards, racking and people moving equipment.
No attempt to lift any boats should be done unless strictly supervised and enough people to do this
safely. This is a minimum of 4 people to lift a four ( must be supervised if under16 years) and 2 for a
pair / double. This also applies for moving boats in the boatshed by the river.
Pairs – should be moved with a person at either end of the boat.
Fours – one person at either end of the boat with 2 others – each one close to an end, ready to move into
position to help carry weight evenly once boat is off the rack. Ideally moving into the position where
there are 2 people opposite each other at stern and bow.
Sculls – can be lifted by one person but if help is available then use.
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-4-
Turning boats – must be one person on each end ( not U16) and if turning a Four, then other crew
members to help in the central area.
Boats should be placed on a suitable trestle(s) and in the correct position as demonstrated by captain or
senior club member to protect both boat and avoid potential for it to fall on club member.
On moving the boat from the boathouse, care must be taken in observing and warning other members or
members of public using the beach.
Moving the boat (s) to the sea for launching:
The beach area directly in front of the clubhouse is shared with the fishermen on the fishing station,
BEWARE of all their equipment which includes nets, ropes, boats etc
Always walk to the sea to left of the two brick huts DO NOT walk in between or to the right.
When boats are being moved, BEWARE of equipment lying on beach or in front of the
clubhouse(trestles, blades, rudders and seats) as these are both trip hazards and expensive pieces of kit
and these must be brought back up at the end of the boating session.
Which area of the beach to be used for launching will vary depending on conditions, strict adherence to
all instruction given must be followed.
The Club Captain or Senior Member in charge of the boating session on the night, will decide on water
boundaries to observe. Please note – there should be no rowing under the pier and warnings will be
given on how far out you can row if using sculls or pairs.
Tide, wind and current will all effect the steepness of the shingle and rowing conditions and attention
must be noted regarding the state of tide ( i.e incoming / outgoing).
Poor or non - swimmers will have to wear a floatation device until they have completed a swimming
test competently.
We request that all members do not swim while boats are on the water. Swimming will be allowed at
end of boating session if senior members consider it safe to do so and there is adequate supervision.
Please note the sea is too cold for prolonged exposure in the evenings.
 Rough Water Boat Handling
Rowers are at their most vulnerable launching and coming ashore during rough coastal conditions,
speed and help are essential.
Launching – the crew should ensure boat is watertight. Crew should as always be opposite their rigger
ready for the launch with extra help at bow and stern. The stern pair must ensure that the stern does not
crash down onto the beach as the crew get in. If the cox is light enough, then they can be lifted into the
boat whilst it is still on shore.
 Watch the wave pattern and then launch when conditions are most favourable.
 Lift and place the boat in the water, As soon as the bow is supported by the water, then the bow
pair should get in and immediately push their blades out and begin rowing without fixing feet in
until clear of surf. The bow helper must get clear of the boat as soon as this occurs to prevent
themselves being injured. The stroke pair must also get in as soon as the bow pair are in and
begin rowing to clear the surf. The stern should then be released once the shore helpers are
satisfied the rudder is clear of the beach.
 When the cox or senior member of the crew feels they are well clear of the surf, then the crew
should be ordered to paddle light with the bow still pointing into the waves. Stern pair should
then do their feet whilst the bow pair keep the boat pointing in to the waves and then the
opposite when the bow pair do their feet.
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-5-

Self Bailers should be closed whilst stationary or during turns and the cox should avoid going
directly broadside to the waves. As the bow begins to rise over a wave, pull in the rudder into
the wave and then release it as the wave passes down the boat – this will allow the boat to ride
over a wave better.
 Racing during rough conditions
Keep calm and pay attention to the wave pattern. If going with the sea, try and get on a “roller” with
short swift strokes. This should keep you in the wave for some time. When falling back into the trough,
adjust your stroke speed to ensure the following wave does not break over the stern, If rowing into the
waves, concentrate driving hard in to a breaking sea, however apply full pressure when the bow is
being lifted by a wave, The crew must react to every variation in stroke to keep the boat moving
forward.
Swamping
If the boat begins to fill up, keep calm and then continue to paddle, turn the boat gently towards the
nearest and safest beach, take advantage of the wind and tide to keep the boat as level as possible at all
times. Try and get the boat ashore yourself rather than waiting for the rescue craft. If the amount of
water in the boat is causing instability, then have 2 rowing whilst the other 2 balance the boat by
keeping the blades flat on the water. If the rescue craft reaches you, then stay in the boat until a more
competent person directs the transfer – the cox goes first, followed by anyone injured and then the
remaining crew. If you are being towed, then the crew must try to keep the blades as flat as possible on
the water. Never fix the rope to any part of the boat.
 Coming Ashore
Never approach the beach broadside - if a wave hits you, then it may turn the boat over. If the tide is
low ( with a sand base) then you can approach bow first, loosen the blades and feet as you get nearer
(do not take the out at this point). When you are close enough to touch the beach, take the blades out
and push them towards the beach. Stroke person should make sure the cox is out and safe. Once all
blades and seats are out, then the boat should be turned over and put on shoulders as quickly as possible
and taken out of the sea. There should be people on the shoreline to help with this and to ensure all
equipment is safe as well as the rowers themselves especially if junior or novice members.
When the beach is steep and shingle, then stay off shore beyond the surf line. Turn the boat with the
bow facing into the waves and start backing towards the shore. The cox will not be able to steer at this
point so the bow pair have this responsibility. All actions should be done quickly. Loosen blades when
close to shore, stern pair jump out and push blades towards shore. Bow pair keep backing to keep the
bow facing into the waves. Cox should be helped on shore and then give the command for bow pair to
get out. They should push blades towards the shore, hold onto boat, wait for command to turn it and
then placed on shoulders to carry it up the beach. Shore helpers should help as before.
Club Members on the beach during rough regattas, should keep an eye on their crews at all times
especially if novice or junior crews and be ready to help and guide the crews back in safely.
Usually if a crew is having difficulties then it is announced via the tannoy system.
 First Aid and Hospital Treatment
There is a first aid kit in the clubhouse and in the boatshed at the river.
For injuries that cannot be treated with basic first aid, the nearest hospital is Eastbourne DGH.
Telephone numbers and directions for emergency services are listed on the safety notice board as you
enter the clubhouse and are checked / updated as necessary. Foil blankets are kept in a marked bag on
the front doors of the clubhouse.
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-6-
Directions for Emergency Services at the river are on a laminated sheet in the first Aid Box kept just
inside the boatshed on the left hand side of the door.
 Adverse Weather Conditions
At times of adverse weather conditions the Captain, Water Safety Advisor or Senior members may
restrict or suspend rowing should he / she feel it unsafe for whatever reason as follows:
Rowing will be suspended and no boating will be allowed when temperatures are very low, the river has
iced over or when visibility is restricted to less than 400m on the sea or river. At times of fog, it must be
realised that conditions will vary and safety is the issue regarding safe launch and return to the beach.
(Aim for Splash Point, then our beach is the seventh after area between the groynes after that). Rowing
should also be suspended if there is the threat of an electrical storm. If there is a gap of less than 30
seconds between the thunderclap and lightening strike, boats must immediately return to the clubhouse
as fast as possible. Rowing will not commence until there has been no further thunder or lightening for
at least 30 minutes.
 Unescorted outings
Members in small boats ( singles, doubles, pairs) are encouraged to boat when there are other boats on
the water rather than on their own and ideally should have someone spotting for them on the beach in
case of capsize / injury in order to raise the alarm. Names should be written on the whiteboard by the
door with times out and in.
 Capsizing
In the event of a boat capsizing and a crew are in the water, the following procedure should occur:
The crew should ensure that everyone is safe and any assistance needed to ensure a particular persons
safety is provided by the rest of the crew. The crew should also stay with the boat unless is close to or
approaching a serious hazard eg weir on the river.
In a small boat ( single, scull, pair or double) the boat should return to an upright position ( if possible)
and towed to the beach ( if on sea) or bank( if on river) by holding on to the bow and kicking towards
the bank / beach.
In larger boats, the riggers should be held and the crew then swim the boat to shore / bank.
Once on land, the crew should check each other for injury and hypothermia. If any one is found
suffering from injury or hypothermia, medical assistance should be sought. Injured persons must not
row back to the club and if suffering from hypothermia, then must be kept warm,with body heat from
others if necessary.
On return, warm shower to increase body temperature and actively re-warmed with clothing, thermal/
foil blankets, hot drinks and medical attention sought.
If other boats are present when a capsize occurs, rowers are expected to stop their training and give
assistance. Sometimes obvious simple advice can be of great assistance to a disorientated rower who
has just capsized
 Weils Disease
All members should be aware of the risks of Weils disease. Information is available both on the
clubhouse Safety Notice board and in the First Aid box at Wallershaven.
 Reportable incidents and recordable incidents
In the event of an accident / incident the following should occur:
Reportable incidents are defined as accidents that involve injury or damage valued over £100. All such
incidents need to be reported to the Club Water Safety advisor and Club Captain / Senior club member
as soon as possible after the event by phone or email.
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-7-
Recordable incidents must be recorded on the incident log on Club Safety Notice Board and also need
to be reported to the Club Water Safety advisor and Club Captain / Senior club member as soon as
possible after the event by phone or email.
ERC Safety Plan 2016
-8-