Safety Protocol for 29Th International Vechtrace on 3 October 2019
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1 Rowing Club Salland Kanaaldijk West 2a 7783 DB Gramsbergen Tel. +31 524 561115 www.salland-roeien.nl Sept Safety protocol for 29th International Vechtrace on 3 October 2019 This Safety Protocol has been prepared by Salland Rowing Club in order to promote the safety of the participant, officials and spectators during the Vechtrace. Measures are aimed at minimising the occurrence of incidents during the Race and, in the event an incident does occur, to limit its impact. Special safety measures and liabilities. Special attention should be given to passers-by, residents and other participants along the race track, when on- and off-loading materials (e.g. boats and trailers) and close to the cars. At all times children and youngsters must be under the supervision of supervisors and trainers. Instructions and directions of the race staff should always be followed. The organisers will not take responsibility for any losses or material and personal damage. Participants take part at their own risk – especially those participants who do not have an official KNRB Licence. The organisers cannot be held accountable. At the Vechtrace the general safety regulations as indicated in the KNRB (Dutch Rowing Association) regulations for rowing races are applicable. Special attention should be given to the KNRB requirements for rowing equipment. ● A bow ball with a diameter of at least 4 cm (white) ● Minimum thickness of the blades of 5 mm for board and 3mm for scull ● Foot plates and shoes that can be kicked off without the use of hands ● Minimal length of coxswain’s seat of 70 cm. General Safety Instructions ● Traffic rules should be adhered to. Sufficient distance should be kept from commercial shipping and from the banks. ● The indicated boundary of the race course should not be exceeded. The judges are obliged to intervene in the race in case of (possible) dangerous situations (e.g. possibility of collision) for participants. ● At all times the safety of the participants, officials and spectators is paramount. ● Try to resolve small safety issues locally, if necessary with the help of bystanders ● Your own safety should not be compromised, even when trying to resolve the problems of others. ● In case of emergencies call the Race Leader (who has been delegated to take responsibility by the Safety Coordinator). If you cannot reach him, call the Race Physician ● If you do not have a mobile phone or if it does not work because there is no signal, report an emergency to a person on shore, preferably one of the organizers. In case of emergencies call Race Leader at +31 643704611 2 ● When making a call please be as precise as possible about the type of emergency and its location, ● To safely practice the rowing sport all rowers and coxswains should have sufficient swimming skills. If not, they are required to wear a life jacket at all times. ● When rowing, one should wear clothing adapted to the specific weather conditions. ● All rowers are obliged to follow the instructions of the captain and to indicate to him/her possible dangers. Violation of the general safety instructions can lead to a rowing or start ban. Risks ● Capsizing in combination with cold water ● Collisions with pleasure boats, barges and other rowing boats especially before the start of the race and after the finish. ● Obstructions on the race course e.g. when a participating boat has collided with the shore ● Rowers becoming unwell during the race ● Extreme weather (storm, cold, strong wind, extreme rainfall, fog). ● Strong current. ● Floating debris in the race course and/or while rowing to and from the jetties at RC Salland. ● Colliding with the bridge in Gramsbergen with your head ● Colliding with the pillars of the bridge in Laar (D). ● During the morning commercial shipping is possible on the Canal Almelo-De Haandrik. Pleasure boats can be around during the whole day. In case of emergencies the following measures should be taken in the order indicated: 1. First aid (incl. pulling the person out of the water) 2. Notifying the emergency services and the doctors (this can be done by all Race officials) 3. Notifying the safety coordinator or his substitute. He/she will take the necessary follow-up measures (e.g. closing down the Race) 4. Salvage of equipment. Officials Names and mobile numbers of the following officials are indicated on the annually prepared instructions and telephone list. ● Safety coordinator ● Race Leader ● Match Physician ● Head of the Judges ● Chair of the Vechtrace Committee Emergency services Mobile Rescue team with a motorboat on the water Dutch Ambulance in the Netherlands and in Germany Dutch and German Fire Brigades Motorised sweeping boat Safety information distributed to participants and officials Relevant information is presented in the instruction documents for the appropriate officials and/or in the general scenario of the Vechtrace ● Safety Plan Vechtrace ● Safety Protocol Vechtrace ● KNRB “Instructions on overtaking on long distance races” (specifically for the observers along the course) ● Arrangements with emergency services Zwolle with regard to access points for emergency services In case of emergencies call Race Leader at +31 643704611 3 ● Arrangements with mobile rescue team on the use of the motorboat ● Briefing of participants during meeting with coxes ● Division of tasks and instructions for different officials incl. relevant telephone numbers in task specific documents ● Informing relevant agencies on the date of the Vechtrace o Provinciale Waterstaat among others to regulate commercial shipping, bridges and water locks o Waterschap Vechtstromen among others to regulate the current and the flow of the river o Waterbeheerder Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz (German part of the the Vecht) o Dutch and German angling clubs ● Starting order lists Time frame The safety features presented in this plan are only valid during the Race as presented in the following timetable Section 1 Section 2 Registration 08.30 – 10.00 12.00 – 13.00 Briefing of coxes 09.45 – 10.00 12.45 – 13.00 Departure to the start 10.00 – 10.30 13.00 – 13.30 Start 11.30 14.30 Estimated last return 12.45 16.00 Awarding of prizes 17.00 Responsibilities of the Safety Coordinator The chair of Salland Vechtrace Commttee is also the Safety Coordinator. He/she has the deciding vote, in the decision-making process, on whether or not to cancel the Vechtrace due to circumstances that pose a safety risk to participants, officials and/or spectators. The operational tasks have been delegated to the Race Leader. The operational responsibilities delegated to the Race Leader pertain specifically to the rescue operations on the water. For rescue operations on the water the following general instructions have been determined. ● The moment a safety incidents is reported, the teams in the motor boats immediately take action, without waiting for further instructions. ● Depending on the location of an incident a victim will be brought ashore for further assistance on the following places: o Starting area o Jetty at the mill in Laar o Jetty at the bridge in Laar o Farmhouse at Leemgraven o Finish at farmhouse De Haandrink (landtong Vecht- Kanaal oostzijde) o Area near waterlock De Haandrink o Bridge Gramsbergen o Jetty at RC Salland The addresses of the abovementioned locations are an integral part of the instruction document for the Vechtrace In case of accidents and emergencies on shore the Race Leader has also been delegated by the Safety Coordinator to be the first point of reference. Procedures The Safety Coordinator, the Race Leader and the Head of the Jury will check and assess the weather forecast prior to the Vechtrace. In case of emergencies call Race Leader at +31 643704611 4 If considered necessary, the current weather forecast will be regularly checked and assessed during the Race. Telephone numbers ● Meteo Consult (personal consultation and call-back service): +31 317 399800 ● Meteo Consult (detailed recorded weather forecast): +31 900 9725 Internet: www.accuweather.com www.buienradar.nl www.bliksem.nu www.knmi.nl www.weer.nl The Safety Coordinator, the Race Leader and the Head of the Jury jointly consult on whether or not to cancel the Vechtrace in view of poor weather conditions such as strong winds (gusts), heavy showers and fog. A too violent current on the Vecht can also lead to cancellation. In case the water lock De Haandrik is closed due to the strong currents in the Vecht, an alternative course for the Vechtrace can be considered. The Safety Coordinator has the last say in decisions regarding safety issues. In case of acute weather changes such as a thunder storm (less than 10 seconds between lightning and thunder) the Safety Coordinator, if possible after consulting the Race Leader and the Head of the Jury, will immediately stop the race. If there is no opportunity for consultation then the first of the three above mentioned officials to hear of the acute change in circumstances, will take the decision to stop the Race. In case of a thunder storm, all boats will be immediately put ashore, even if they are half way through the Race. The immediate stop of the Race is communicated by mobile phone with special instructions to the rescue boat, the sweeping boat, the Safety Coordinator, the time registration and other relevant officials of the organization. In case of an emergency on the water, such as a rower urgently needing medical attention or the capsizing of a boat, the Race Leader, as delegated Safety Coordinator, should immediately be informed. Depending on the severity of the incident he/she will inform the rescue boat. Closing down of the Race can also be considered. When medical assistance is needed, the Race Physician will immediately be informed.