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Explore 2018 - Navigation and Safety Precautions

• All information is given as if viewed from the cox’s seat. • All boats should keep to the right of the river unless otherwise indicated. • All boats should be aware that there are likely to be both yachts and motor cruisers about. Saturday is a normal change-over day for hire boats so Sunday may be have heavier traffic. • If there are yachts tacking towards you, try to slow or stop so that you can cross behind them. Be careful when overtaking a yacht as they may change direction unexpectedly. • There is no safety launch, so take a mobile phone (list of important numbers available on the day) and keep in sight of other crews so that aid can be given as necessary. A boat containing local crew members who know the river will lead and there will be a sweep boat following. • A safety briefing will be given to all crew captains before departure from and from Cantley.

Saturday

Launching

• Launching will be from the Lowestoft RC floating pontoon. • This can take 2 quads at a time so crews are requested boat quickly and move away from the pontoon as soon as they can. • The pontoon is exposed to northwest winds which can make launching difficult if there is a strong wind from this direction. If waves are lapping onto the pontoon, there is a risk of damage to boats and injury to people.

Oulton Broad

• On leaving the pontoon, proceed westward towards the ‘top’ of . • If there are no boats around then any route can be taken, but otherwise stay with the bank on the left, going to the right of two houseboats, until the top of the broad is reached. • Be aware there are several mooring buoys for yachts and also large orange buoys which mark out the sailing courses. • Once the ‘top’ of the broad is reached move over to the right-hand side of the river.

Oulton Dyke

• Keep right. • There is a floating pontoon just after the sharp bend. It is possible to land here on the lowest of the pontoons.

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River Waveney

• At the end of Oulton Dyke, there are sign posts showing the turn to the left towards Burgh St Peter and Beccles. Go straight on.

Sommerleyton Railway Bridge

• Approach the Sommerleyton railway bridge with caution as the flows can be strong under the bridge depending on the state of the tide. The barriers to protect the bridge do narrow the width of the passage considerably. The event timing has been chosen so that flows should not be too great.

St Olaves

• At St Olaves, the river divides.

• Take the route to the left into the ‘New Cut’.

• Do not take the route to the right as this will take you along the towards Great Yarmouth and the sea!

• The New Cut is relatively narrow straight stretch of water.

• Proceed with caution, especially if there are motor cruisers and yachts about.

• It may be necessary to partially ship oars to allow another boat by.

River Yare

• At the end of the New Cut turn LEFT onto the River Yare towards Norwich. The tide should be rising and so you will now start to row with the tide.

Reedham Railway Bridge

• Approach the Reedham Railway Bridge with caution as you will have the tide pushing you towards the bridge. As with Sommerleyton Railway bridge the protective barriers narrow the river.

Reedham Chain Ferry

• This is well marked with warning signs.

• Do not approach the ferry while it is crossing the river as chains become close to the surface. Your boat may have to hold water/back down as the tide will be pushing you towards the ferry.

River Chet

• Keep on the main river and do not take the narrow entrance to the river Chet on the left. Page 3 of 3

Cantley

• You will see the British Sugar factory on the right as you approach Cantley. Just beyond the factory there are some floating pontoons and the Rushcutters pub. This is the end of the first day. You should arrive at about high water.

• Please approach the pontoons as instructed by the bank crew.

• As the pontoons are not rowing pontoons, bank crew will have to hold your riggers while you disembark.

• Boats should be lifted out of the water and taken to the pub garden for overnight storage.

• Oars will be stored separately on the British Sugar site.

Lunch is available at the Pub.

The station is a 5 minute walk from the pub.

Sunday

Launching and route

• Launching will be from the floating pontoons. Please launch quickly and move away as soon as you can.

• Keep on the main river in the direction you arrived with the sugar factory behind you.

• There are more boat marinas as you approach Norwich. Beware of boats entering and exiting the marinas.

• Closer to Norwich you will pass under the road bridge of the A47. After a straight stretch of river you come to a sharp bend. You will pass Broadland Rowing Club on the right. Ahead you will see a railway bridge ahead. Do not go under the bridge but turn to the left on the main river.

• At the end of the next reach, there is a cut to the left. Take this and disembark at the slipway on the left at Whitlingham Boathouses where Norwich Rowing Club has its base. Wellies will be required as the landing area is covered by water at high tide.

• Take the boats out of the water and either put them on your trailer, on the racks if Whitlingham boats or on trestles away from the landing area.

• Lunch will be available on the first floor of the boathouse.