TSS SAFETY RULES
The primary safety rule is that you must ensure that you are safe when you are out on the water,
taking into account the type of boat and the conditions, and also any likely changes due to tide, wind,
light or other factors. It is up to you to assess (or your coach in the case of juniors or inexperienced
scullers) whether it is safe to go out, everything else is just guidance. The following rules are to be
followed but it is YOUR prime responsibility to be safe.
The following safety rules are set and enforced by the safety committee under the chairmanship of the
safety adviser. The names of those on the safety committee are posted separately. It is the
responsibility of the safety committee to ensure that British Rowing’s Water Safety Code is followed,
and that any breaches are advised to the offender. The members of the SC will do this, and the club
committee will support them by taking disciplinary measures where necessary.
The following rules are in place; they will be reviewed regularly and must be followed. Particular rules
are in place for our younger juniors and these are published separately.
The British Rowing Water Safety Code is mandatory.
It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that they have read the code and that all participants adhere
to it.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
If you fall in stay with the boat, swim it to the side or wait for help. NEVER try to swim to the
bank without your boat.
All coxes, coaches and other launch occupants must wear lifejackets.
Safety Bags will be carried in all launches.
Boats must be checked for safety before going afloat.
No Club boat may be used without the Captain’s, Chief Coach’s or other Coach’s permission.
All members must be competent swimmers.
Safety Notice Board
Look at this board before every outing to check for unusual hazards.
Navigation for Boats under Oars (PLA)
All those in charge of a boat must read and understand the notice from the PLA on the Club notice
board (as updated from time to time). The following Points for Caution and Danger must be taken
into account:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
All boats must be launched with the bows into the tide.
All boats returning must come into the shore against the tide.
The Hazards around Kew Road Bridge (Kew Pier and the moored boats upstream).
The Hazard upstream of Brentford Dock. Two large Buoys near together, and sometimes a
Barge, plus another Buoy closer to Kew Bridge.
The official crossing points below Dukes Meadows and at the ship, and at Syon Park.
Approaching the line of boats (Black Buoy) at Putney.
When going with the stream you MUST be on the Starboard side of the main stream and pass
boats coming the other way with your Port side to their Port side. You do not have the right to be
in the middle of the stream unless the river is closed. For those who do not know Port is the side
with the Red scull or oar (if you find this difficult, remember Port Wine is Red).
When turning below TSS do not get in the way of crews crossing at the Ship. Either turn close to
the club or below the brewery
When turning into the current or crossing watch out for crews coming downstream. They will
come towards you on the fast flowing stream much faster than you think
Never turn close upstream of a bridge. It is very easy to get swept onto it.
Never turn in rough water, go further until it is smooth enough to be able to turn without shipping
water.
Take extra care at the turn of the tide. Keep a careful eye on bridge piers to tell which way the
stream is flowing and steer accordingly. Watch out for others who have not noticed the tide has
turned.
CFW-PERS-116097026
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Rowing in Darkness
Rowing/Sculling in the dark is dangerous and is not encouraged. Unaccompanied outings are viewed
as unwise, but the individual is expected to have carried out his or her own assessment of the risks
involved.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
White Lights must be displayed, attached to the Bow and Stern to give 360 degrees visibility. No
coloured or flashing lights are permitted.
No Club Sculling or Coxless Boats may go afloat, unless accompanied by a launch.
All launches to carry Red (port), Green (starboard) and White Lights (two, one on the stern).
Lighting up times and sunrise are as published in the press.
If a light fails during an outing, fix it or return immediately to the Club.
Adverse Conditions
If the conditions on the river are bad whichever member of the safety committee is at the club will
assess the conditions and advise all members of whether it is safe or not either verbally or by a notice
on the Club notice board. If no member of the SC is at the club then a senior member or coach
should decide and advise others. Conditions likely to cancel/postpone outings are:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Strong winds and rough water.
Extreme cold (wind chill factor).
Fog.
Official Head races.
Safety at Clubhouse
All launches when not in use are to be parked away from main area outside boathouse doors.
When boat slings are not being used they should be stacked against boathouse wall. Do not leave
them out on the gravel forecourt as this can cause accidents.
When you have washed your boat, replace hosepipe and bucket outside boathouse.
Petrol Tanks
ALL launch petrol tanks must be stored in the metal bunker, located under the arches, when not in
use. Petrol must not be stored in the Clubhouse.
Accident Reporting and Incident Reporting
Under the Code all accidents and incidents (ie where an accident might have happened) must be
reported to BR and the PLA using the on line forms on the respective organisations websites. In
order to try to make people take more care, people involved in accidents may be charged 50% of the
repair costs if it is wholly or partly their fault. Each accident will be looked at on a case by case.
Personal Safety
The river Thames can carry various diseases. All those who have been on the river must wash when
they come in. When boating you should wear something on your feet, glass or sharp objects on the
foreshore can lead to cuts which can be infected. If you have open cuts on your legs or feet try to
keep them dry and covered as much as possible and wash them when you come off the water.
Safety Advisor
Whenever TSS single scullers or crews are boating away from TSS a Safety Advisor must be
appointed from the group. The Safety Advisor must:
a)
b)
c)
Ensure local safety hazards are identified and communicated to all those who will be sculling or
rowing.
Assess weather conditions and decide, whatever an event organiser may say, whether it is safe
to boat or not, and to only allow boating when it is safe to do so.
Ensure that the safety rules are followed.
Revised March 2010
CFW-PERS-116097026
Chris Williams, Chairman TSS
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