Regatta Event Rules and Instructions

London Crossing (Rowing)

Although not a British Rowing affiliated event, Regatta London (Rowing) is being run taking into account the British Rowing Rules of Racing and the provisions of RowSafe along with the Rowing Code of Practice.

1. Rules of Navigation

All crews will be provided with a route card which the cox must carry with them during the event whilst on the water.

The route card identifies the following;

• Distance between bridges • The cumulative distance between bridges • The specific bridge arch all crews must navigate through • Identifiable landmarks on the route • Cut-off times • Highlighted route hazards to avoid • Finish line procedure

1.1 Key Points

- All boats must follow the directions shown on the route card. - All boats must adhere to the ‘River right rule’, from the perspective of the cox, all vessels must keep right whilst on their respective routes. - Any deviation off the designated route may lead to disqualification.

2. Instructions from Umpires, Marshals, and Water Safety Team - ‘Event Officials’

There will be a combination of Umpires, Sports Marshals and a Water Safety Team ‘Event Officials’ at designated locations along the route. The water safety team have full coverage across the course providing a line of sight from start to finish.

Umpires and sports marshals will be wearing GREEN colour bibs and the water safety team will be wearing ORANGE colour bibs. For safety reasons, crews must follow the instructions and directions given by umpires, sports marshals and the water safety team. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and removal from the event.

Crews must follow the event rules at all times, in particular:

- Keeping to scheduled boating times; - Check boat and equipment in good time before boating and carry any essential tools; - Arriving within the marshalling area on time; - Act appropriately and respectfully with event staff, volunteers, and other participants; - Display their crew number and ensure it is clearly visible at all times; - Following the event route (i.e. using the correct bridge arches, staying out of restricted zones).

3. Encountering Other Boats

Other vessels may be encountered on the river including SUPs, Canoes, Kayaks and Rowing boats. All participants are reminded of the "river right" rule whereby all vessels must keep right whilst on their respective routes.

During the event the river is closed to all commercial traffic, however, in addition to other participants there will also be water safety and sport marshal boats on the river and local authorities’ vessels including the , RNLI, Marine Police and London Fire Brigade.

4. Overtaking

ALL crews have a responsibility to avoid a collision whether they are overtaking or being overtaken.

When a boat is overtaking another boat, it is the duty of the overtaking boat to keep clear of other boats at all times or reduce speed until it is safe to pass. (The faster boat has to move around the slower boat(s)).

When a slower boat is being overtaken, it should aim to give way to the faster overtaking boat if safe to do so.

Umpires and observers will be posted along the course. Crews may be penalised or disqualified if judged to have contributed to a collision.

5. Collision, Damage or Obstruction

Each crew is responsible for its own steering

An Event Official may want to call the attention of the racing crew to its steering if it is about to:

- ‘Interfere’ with a competing crew; - ‘Foul’ a competing crew; - Collide with a temporary obstruction on the course. - Be in imminent danger to themselves or others

The instruction to a crew in this circumstance shall be: - raise a red flag vertically above the head - name the crew - give the command ‘Obstruction, Stop’ Once they have taken notice of the obstruction the crew may continue with the event.

Any boat who is considered by an Event Official to have been responsible for a collision, or who damages the boat or oar or paddle of another participant or unnecessarily deviates from the direct racing line or deliberately blocks the path of a participant may be penalised or disqualified.

A collision will be considered as an event where a participants' boat touches another participant’s boat or oar in a way that disadvantages another boat.

6. Hazards on the River

The mandatory route card has been devised to ensure safe and efficient navigation of the route for all crews and MUST be followed at all times. Marshals and members of the water safety team are in place along the course to enforce safety and navigation rules. Although the river is closed to all commercial traffic there are still fixed moorings and exclusion zones throughout the route. Please follow the route card and the directions of the water safety boats and sports marshals at all times.

7. Hazard Warning Flags

Yellow Flag If a marshal or a member of the water safety team wave a yellow flag, this will notify of an incident ahead so be prepared to follow instructions from the sports marshals or water safety team.

Red Flag If a marshal or a member of the water safety team waves a red flag, please be prepared to slow down and if safe to do so stop paddling and await further instructions from the marshals.

8. Retiring & Cut-Off

Cut-offs are in place on the route and are applicable to all participants. Cut-offs being limits on the time taken to complete sections of the event to ensure the safe and proper running of the event.

Crews not meeting the cut off times may be asked to land before the finish.

If you wish to ‘retire’, please make your way to a safety boat to inform them, you will be offered assistance off of the river. For safety reasons, please do not attempt to make your own way off the river. You must be checked off the water if you plan to retire.

9. Mandatory Briefing Card All crews of Regatta London will receive an event briefing card in their event pack. Please make sure you have read this document prior to starting the event. Any key updates relating to weather or route will be notified before the start on Sunday morning. It is the Coxes responsibility to ensure all crews are informed of the key information contained within the event briefing card and the key updates given on Sunday morning.

10. Mandatory Equipment

It is the responsibility of crews to ensure that their boats are safe and are prepared in accordance with the guidance in RowSafe and are suitable for the crew and conditions in which they are to be used.

The mandatory equipment list includes: -

• A life jacket is mandatory for rowing coxes, any bow loader boats the rowing cox must wear a manually inflated life jacket. • Suitable footwear for walking in shallow water, so you can safely exit on the foreshore at the finish • Mobile phone (fully charged) in a waterproof bag - minimum of one phone per boat. Additional phones are permitted, though all must be sealed in a waterproof bag. • A warm sleeved layer – to be taken with you on the river, stored in a dry bag when not being worn. (a change of clothes for post-race is recommended and can be transported using the event baggage facility) • Refuelling – you must be self-sufficient and carry everything that you need whilst you are on the water: Water Bottle (reusable) – minimum 500ml, Energy Bar/Snacks All crews will be issued with an event pack during registration. Items contained within your event pack include:

• Route navigation card • Mandatory briefing card • Wristband for all crew members – this must be worn at all times during the event • A boat number which must be securely fixed before going afloat • Waterproof crew identification numbers to be worn by the Cox and bowperson (please make sure clearly visible to aid efficient marshalling and timing). • A timing device with instructions as to how this works

11. Life Jackets

As per the provisions of RowSafe, all coxes are required to wear a lifejacket.

12. Assessment of Participants Ability

It is important that all participants ensure that they have the relevant experience, knowledge and skill to be safe during the event. If at any time the organisers are concerned about the competence of a participant(s) to be safe on the river, the event Health and Safety Lead will take action and may instruct the participant(s) to leave the water at the nearest safe place or prevent the participant(s) from taking part in the event.

13. Medical Assistance

Should you require medical assistance during the event, medical will be located at the following areas;

- Rowing start area, based at Chiswick Pier - Along the route at designated piers - At the finish area on the landing foreshore - In the finish festival village

Should you require medical assistance during the route, and are able to do so, please make your way or signal to a water safety or marshal boat and inform them.

If you are unable to make contact with a support boat, please call event control on 0330 088 5109.

Welfare and First Aid facilities will be available at:

Pier 1 - Pier 2 - Cadogan Pier Pier 3 - LFB Pier (Lambeth) Pier 4 - Pier 5 - Pier 6 - Pier 7 - Hermitage Community Moorings Pier 8 - Greenhouse Pier (Surrey Quays)

14. Littering

Participants must ensure they keep any rubbish with them and dispose of it appropriately at the end of the event. There will be recycling facilities available at the finish village.

Any participant found to be littering along the route will be disqualified.