Safety Plan and Short Risk Assessment for Benfleet Yacht Club’s
Round Canvey Race – 18th July 2015
INTRODUCTION
Please ensure that all crew members have read this document
This risk assessment and safety plan is designed to ensure that all competitors participate under safe and controlled conditions as far as is practically achievable
given the nature of the event, the distance involved and the possibility of sudden change in weather conditions. Tidal flows and shipping movements can affect
sea conditions during the event as well as the volume of small craft operating on any given weekend during the season. There will be a requirement for all
participants to co-operate fully with the Organisers to ensure the safety and success of the event.
The event will be phased as follows:1.
2.
3.
4.
5
6
7
8
9
Arrival of crews – kitchen open for breakfast
Boat and crew registration
Boat and equipment inspection
Briefing
11::45 hrs
Launch and parking of trailers
Start
12:30 hrs onwards
Close surveillance of all crews whilst at sea (as per safety plan).
Landing/boat recovery
Social, Prize giving and BBQ
Location:
A: Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Road, Canvey, Essex , SS8 0QT
B: Water around Canvey Island – Benfleet creek, Hadleigh Ray , River Thames, Holehaven creek, East Haven creek
THE COURSE
High water - 15:00 hrs
Start West to East from Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey point to starboard, Holehaven point to starboard, through the East Haven barrier then through East Haven
creek back to finish at Benfleet.
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Safety Plan and Short Risk Assessment for Benfleet Yacht Club’s
Round Canvey Race – 18th July 2015
GENERAL COURSE INSTRUCTIONS
Some parts of the course towards the end of the race have very shallow water and for this reason the race will start at the earliest opportunity on an incoming
tide.
Due to the narrow & shallow channel at this time there will be a staggered start with the slowest boats away first & fastest last. First boat starts 12:30pm. These
timings may be altered slightly on the day depending upon conditions.
The shallowest part of the course is found at East Haven creek near the A130 bridge and there is a narrow tidal window of 1hr either side of HW that must be
met to get through.
Boats will be allocated a start order on the day & must be launched & ready to go as soon as they are able.
Please be aware that you may come across a number of hazards along the course.
From the start eastwards along Benfleet creek to Canvey Point (3 ½ miles) the channel is well marked with red & green buoys (green to starboard/left side on the
way out, red to port/right). Bear in mind that you may meet yachts or motor cruisers inbound or outbound that will be constrained by their draft & unable to get
out of your way. Competitors must allow room for these craft to proceed and manoeuvre unhindered when in the buoyed channels.
A large obvious marker will be in place to the East of Canvey point and this is the turning mark. Be aware that there may be obstructions such as stakes &
wreckage close to the point. South of Island Yacht Club the old Canvey seawall (Rocks) is poorly marked by several pink buoys.
The Southern leg takes you along Canvey sea front, keep outside posts with green triangles topmost marking the end of groynes & other structures. Towards
Holehaven there are a number of large jetties at the gas terminal & Oikos Oil depot - do not attempt to go under these.
There is also the Scars Elbow buoy (large green conical) & several big ship mooring buoys, give these a wide berth as the tide will be running hard & liable to set
you onto them. Large ships & fishing boats may pass in either direction & may generate considerable wash - even long after they have passed.
On reaching Holehaven Point , just past the large white oil tank with broad vertical blue stripes, keep to the east side near the two big yellow buoys, The channel
is heavily congested with fishing boats, by this stage of the tide it will be safe to pass to the west of these & keep out of the channel. After turning into
Holehaven creek you pass under a structure/’bridge’ taking large oil pipes across the creek.
The upper part of Holehaven is a waterski & jetski area, whilst we have notified the launching sites of the race we cannot accept responsibility for their actions.
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Safety Plan and Short Risk Assessment for Benfleet Yacht Club’s
Round Canvey Race – 18th July 2015
Speed boats & PWC’s may be met all round the island - the majority are responsible a minority may not be! If any cause problems try to make a note of the data
tag number on the bow, In the event of an incident call race control on VHF channel P1 or mobile no 07867 117 179 – Wendy Webster.
East Haven tidal barrier, has only one navigable arch, the central one, from here on the creek gets narrower & shallower, be aware there are the remains of
several training walls at right angles to the channel for the next mile or so. The channel generally runs in the middle tending towards the outside of the bends.
A130 road bridge at Sewer bend use central arch only. The channel bears sharply right & passes the sewerage works on your left. Try not to fall in here or
swallow the water!
The last stretch to the finish is past Benfleet railway station & is the last bit where overtaking may be attempted. Just past here you come to Benfleet Road
bridge. The 3 central arches of the road bridge and tidal barrier 50 yards on can be used. Be aware that moorings start immediately below the barrier.
Finish line is the quay heading at the BYC club house.
SAFETY PLAN
The information contained in this risk assessment & safety plan will be circulated in advance to all participating crews and will form the basis of a pre-race
briefing on the day of the event.
Given the overall safety implications, the Organising Committee will conduct a final risk assessment immediately prior to the briefing at 11:45hrs after consulting
latest meteorological information. If conditions seem unfavourable a fall-back option of similar distance within more sheltered waters will be put in place. If the
winds on the day are SW or W and over Force 5 the race course will be altered to an inshore race to Leigh and back. This revised course will be marked. Should
wind speed or sea conditions become critical during event the organisers will take the decision to abort and recall crews to shore under close protection of
safety craft.
All crew will register with the Registration Official on arrival. Any changes to previously notified crew members will be recorded. After finishing the boat captain
will report to registration point immediately on coming ashore, to confirm safe return of all crew members.
A water safety team will be on duty at BYC to inspect boats for seaworthiness and vital equipment before allowing crews to take part. Any boats deemed
unsuitable for the race conditions will be excluded at scrutineers absolute discretion. No inflatable craft or yacht tenders are allowed to compete on safety
grounds. All crew members are strongly advised to wear life jackets or buoyancy aids during the event. Any cox or passengers must wear lifejackets. The
following equipment WILL be carried on board:One lifejacket per crew member (to be worn as requested by Organisers or Safety Boats)
Drinking fluid
At least 10m tow rope
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Safety Plan and Short Risk Assessment for Benfleet Yacht Club’s
Round Canvey Race – 18th July 2015
Bailing buckets and or pump (Except self bailing boats or kayaks)
Mobile phone (optional) (phone number to call is 07867 117 179 – Wendy Webster)
First aid kit (optional)
Some craft will have built-in buoyancy, floatation chambers or self bailers, those which do not ie gigs, should at least consider some form of buoyancy aids for
this event.
It is vital that crews dress appropriately for the conditions on the day and have a change of warm clothing available on coming ashore. The crew may need
glucose sweets or similar for energy during the race.
The Round Canvey Race is a physically demanding event requiring fitness. Each participant must realistically assess their own fitness to undertake a 14 mile row
(2½ - 4 hours). The first quarter of the race is against the tide. During the event the Organiser may instruct any crew to ‘turn for home’ or nearest landing slip if
he/she considers them unable to maintain sufficient progress to reach East Haven creek within the time window for the tide.
Safety boats operated by trained personnel to at least RYA2 standard will closely monitor crews throughout and provide rescue. They will also carry VHF and
mobile phones. There will be a number of safety and support boats - one leading the race and one at the rear. You must obey their instructions.
The PLA will be informed of the event and provided with a list of competing craft prior to the start.
Any crew consisting of under 18year olds must have parental consent to compete – the parent or guardian must sign the entry form giving consent.
INCIDENT PLAN
It is important that all crews are aware of their own position at all times. Coxswains/skippers should make themselves aware of the course and any obstacles to
be avoided. In the event of an incident at sea affecting/posing a danger to any boat or crew, the following procedure will be adopted:If you have a problem during the races make yourselves aware to the safely boats by crossing and uncrossing your arms until you are acknowledged.
Nearest crews to divert to provide immediate assistance to crew in difficulty as far as is possible without endangering own safety.
All incidents involving yachts or motor cruisers must be reported to the race organisers.
The Organiser will be contacted and will take the appropriate response action with the emergency services.
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Safety Plan and Short Risk Assessment for Benfleet Yacht Club’s
Round Canvey Race – 18th July 2015
RACING RULES
We do not intend to have many rules! However due to the sometimes narrow channels we will insist that overtaking boats should keep clear of those being
overtaken. Slower boats should however make room for faster boats to overtake if they have room to do so.
There will be no overtaking under barriers or bridges.
Unlike any other rowing race you will note that there is an unlimited class, these may sail as well as row! Bear in mind that they will have to stop at bridges to
lower their masts & when doing so will not be able to manoeuvre. Due to the shallow water it is impractical for sailing entries to tack through East Haven creek
and they must row here. Oar or paddle powered boats must keep out of the way of sailing vessels and those vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre.
We intend that everybody have an enjoyable day & hope that everybody will display good sportsmanship!
SHORT RISK ASSESSMENT
HAZARD
Trips/Falls
CONTROLS
Boat/Trailer storage areas to be kept clear of oars and other
equipment
Appropriate clothing for event. Warm dry clothing ashore
Fire extinguishers
Fires prohibited on campsite
RISK
LOW
Dehydration
Advise that Drinking fluid must be carried by all crews
HIGH
Capsize
Crews to be familiar with capsize drills
Crew to remain with boat till rescue
Although inundated boat should remain afloat. Crew to remain
with boat till rescue
Responsibility of all crew to keep look-out. Give way to deeper
draught vessels
Crews to remain close into shore well outside the shipping
channel, but on the outside of groynes and any jetties. Safety
boats to guide crews as necessary. Crews to keep a look out for
all other manoeuvring vessels.
LOW
Exposure - Cold
Fire
Sinking
Collision – other craft,
mooring or navigation buoys
Shipping channel in Thames
MED
Med
Low
Low
Low
ACTION
1st Aid facilities at BYC or ambulance if
more serious
Assistance by ambulance once ashore
Hand held fire extinguishers at various
locations
Essex Fire and Rescue
Casualty to shore. Assess ability of
remaining crew to continue
Immediate assist rescue boat & all nearby
crews Assess ability to continue
As for capsize
As above - assess ability of crew to
continue
Safety boats to advise crews of course
alteration needed
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Safety Plan and Short Risk Assessment for Benfleet Yacht Club’s
Round Canvey Race – 18th July 2015
Travelling through SSSI in
Holehaven Creek
Man overboard
Advise crews to remain in boat (except in an emergency) so as to
have minimal impact on wildlife.
All crew are advised to wear life jackets throughout the event.
Cox and passengers must wear lifejackets. Other crew members
and other crews to assist recovery
Full Risk Assessment is available upon request.
Safety boats to advise crews as needed
Low
Immediate assistance by safety boats and
nearest crews
INSURANCE AND WAIVER
It will be the responsibility of each crew to have their boat insured against risk including public liability to third parties. Benfleet Yacht Club being the organisers
of the Round Canvey Race and their sponsors, provide this event only on the understanding that the Club, their representatives and/or members, bear no
responsibility for any loss, damage or injury or inconvenience to persons or other craft however arising, directly or indirectly by an accident or wrongful
negligent act, default or omission of any member or any person during the Round Canvey Race or other related activity. Crews shall acknowledge their
understanding of this disclaimer on the official entry form before the start of the event.
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