Coxswain’s Information Session
Accident Report Input
Regatta Committee Information
Objectives:
• Investigation Committee (IC)-Review of
recommendations/ Review Video
• Review Captain of the Course
recommendations
• Gather Input from Coxswains
• Agreement on actions required
IC Recommendations
• Crew and Committee safety personnel become more familiar with
equipment, techniques and procedures to direct crews and perform
rescues.
• The Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee to plan/conduct on water
safety practices throughout the year to ensure that the safest
procedures are followed.
• That crew members and rescuers remain calm at all times in the
event of an accident or incident.
• The crew members remain seating in the shell at all times until
directed to disembark, either at the boathouse wharf or shoreline
IC Recommnedations (Cont’d)
•
Once away from the dock, oars are to remain in an extended position while not in
a rowing configuration
•
That, in the event of a hull breech in the crew compartment; it is safest for the
crew to move the shell as quickly as possible to the nearest shoreline to
disembark.
•
Prior to any event, The Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee, Vice President and
Captain of the Course, will ensure that on safety boats, operated by the
committee, one person is designated as the person in charge of that boat.
•
In the event of any incident, the person in charge of the first arriving committee
boat shall be in charge of that incident. Other committee boats arriving on the
scene shall do so under control so as not to cause further distress at the incident.
Should it become necessary to change the in-charge person, that information be
clearly communicated to all involved.
IC Recommnedations (Cont’d)
•
That the donning of life jackets, as necessary, will be at the discretion of the
primary rescuer.
•
The Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee to ensure at the conclusion of any
incident, and upon returning to the boathouse, crews and committee members
involved in any incident shall report to boathouse manager or committee member
in charge for directions and briefing.
•
The Royal St. John’s Regatta Rules Committee to review this report, in conjunction
with the existing rules, and make rule changes as deemed necessary to enhance
safety on the pond.
•
The Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee Rules Committee to review the turning of
the buoys to ensure safety is the foremost consideration; holding water versus
sweeping turns.
•
All crews are responsible to take any and all action necessary to mitigate the
occurrence of an accident between shells.
Captain of The Course(COC)
Recommendations
• Prior to an event the COC shall designate a lead for all
boats operating on the pond
• That lead shall be responsible for coordinating a rescue
effort if required during that event
• The boat that is first on the scene in the event of a
rescue requirement, that lead shall be in control
• Prior to a rescue boat arrival the coxswain is in control
• The lead may transfer control but that must be clearly
communicated to all involved
• The current race may continue if the COC , through
consultation, determines it is safe
Captain of The Course(COC)
Recommendations(cont’d)
• Should a shell be required to row to shore, it shall
be escorted by the Safety Boat and other vessels
involved in the rescue until all rowers are deemed
safely ashore
• Should there be a delay in the arrival of a rescue
vessel the coxswain should sound their horn and
immediately proceed to nearest shore
• Constant communication should be maintained
by the “lead rescuer” to both the COC and to
Health and Emergency personnel to ensure
proper transport and medical care is conducted
Captain of The Course(COC)
Recommendations(cont’d)
• Once ashore Health and Safety personnel (e.g.
St. John Ambulance) shall determine the
appropriate care to be administered.
• If the crew/s can be returned to the
Boathouse the COC shall ensure that they are
examined and de-briefed to ensure
appropriate action is/has been taken
Captain of The Course(COC)
Recommendations(cont’d)
• Prior to first event (Discovery Day) all Regatta Committee
boat operators shall complete at least one hour of practice
in the appropriate vessel they will be operating
• Prior to the first event all new coxswains should be trained
on safety procedures
• If new safety procedures are introduced the COC will
initiate safety training for all coxswains
• All vessel operators shall have the appropriate
“accreditation” before operating a vessel
• All vessel operators will ensure that the vessel is equipped
with all necessary safety gear and is operationally safe
General
• Rules Committee have recommended some
minor changes to rules which will have to go
to Regatta Executive for discussion and
approval
• A safety Committee has been formed to
consider all of the safety requirements of a
modern Regatta operation
Coxswains Input
• Questions/ Concerns?
• Handouts – Incidents on the pond – John
Barrington