<p> Devil’s Elbow Rowing Club Water Safety Plan</p><p>Introduction Almost any sport, and certainly any water sport, involves some risk. In order to ensure that all members of Devil’s Elbow Rowing Club (DERC) and affiliated rowers can enjoy rowing in safety, and to comply with the British Rowing’s (BR) Water Safety Audit, it is necessary for the club to have a Water Safety Plan.</p><p>All members and visitors to DERC shall comply with the requirements of the Water Safety Plan and other associated documents which may be in force at the time (as notified by the DERC committee).</p><p>Most of the rules and advice contained in this document are based on simple common sense, so with the help of DERC members it should largely enforce itself. If you see any incident which you feel may lead to an accident or injuries, then SAY SOMETHING, do not assume someone else will deal with it. Any serious incidents or breaches of the plan should be reported to a committee member.</p><p>Associated Documents This document supplements the rules and advice produced by BR.</p><p>1. BR Rowsafe Document http://www.britishrowing.org/taking-part/staying-safe/rowsafe</p><p>Members are advised to familiarise themselves with this document and this plan. </p><p>The following sections expand the generic rules of the Rowsafe to take on board the local conditions and practices covering the Rivers Soar and Trent. </p><p>Accident and Incident Log Online reporting of every incident, accident and near miss on land or in a boat using:</p><p>BR login details → Online Reporting</p><p>First Aid The first aid box and bag are located on a hook and on the wall just inside the stewards kitchen upstairs in the TVSC clubhouse. There is also a first aid kit in the coaching launch safety bag. It is for EMERGENCY USE ONLY. Blisters are an occupational risk for rowers and oarsmen/scullers should bring their own supplies for running repairs to hands etc. The first aid kits will be regularly checked, however if you do use some of the contents please let a committee member know so that it can be restocked as soon as possible.</p><p>Telephone Numbers TVSC Emergency telephone numbers are displayed next to the phone and for DERC are on the Safety Notice board.</p><p>Call 999 in case of an emergency and be prepared to describe the incident and its location.</p><p>Useful numbers for the club are: Sawley Lock (upstream): 0 Cranfleet Lock (downstream): 0 Local Navigation Office: 0</p><p>An emergency mobile phone is kept in a waterproof bag in the launch bag. Kept switched off to retain battery for emergencies.</p><p>Insurance and BR membership All boats used by members of the club and visitors must carry at least 3rd Party insurance. DERC boats are all covered by the club’s 3rd Party Insurance. If you borrow a private boat ensure that you are covered with the owner. It is yours, not the clubs, responsibility to ensure that you are adequately covered.</p><p>At the time of this document BR membership includes insurance through Perkins Slade providing BR’s Civil Liability insurance, providing a bespoke package for clubs, including buildings and boats, and covering all individually registered members whilst taking part in any activity of British Rowing. Rowing after Dusk</p><p>Rowing after dusk is only permitted if the boat is carrying two white lights which are visible a full 360o at all times.</p><p> Hi vis base layers and kit is advised to be worn by all rowers and coxes when night rowing.  All boats will be fitted with a working white light front and back, "it was on when I went out isn't an excuse"  Experienced coxes and steers persons only  On the signing out board on the clubhouse please jot down, the name of the boat going out and who is in the crew. Wipe out the details when you return. The last crew coming back in to check that all boats are returned, otherwise call the contact number.</p><p>Only experienced steersmen or coxes should row after dark. Remember, compared to most other vessels you are small, close to the water and very hard to see.</p><p>Equipment Your safety is significantly affected by the condition of the equipment you choose to row or scull in. You must make sure that the boat you are going to use is in a safe condition before you go down to the landing stage. Boats that have a missing or defective bow ball, heel restraints or buoyancy compartments shall not be used. Any maintenance problem or damage to a club boat should be reported to the Maintenance Officer and/or a committee member as soon as possible.</p><p>Environmental Conditions Visibility and river conditions can vary rapidly and you must be sure that you are happy with the conditions prior to going on to the water. The wind can quickly cause chop on the Trent which can swamp a rowing boat.</p><p>The Trent is affected by recent rain in Derbyshire and the Soar by rain in Leicestershire so can produce different local river conditions.</p><p>Be aware that faster river conditions on the Trent can slow flow on the Soar and vice versa creating sometimes surprising conditions. To check whether the British Waterways traffic light system is on red (SIGNIFYING NO ROWING), ring the Lockkeeper at Sawley or consult your coach or experienced oarsman. If in doubt at all about the weather or river conditions DO NOT GO OUT. </p><p>IF THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT is on then this invalidates all insurance, so it is imperative that rowers do not go out for their own safety and others. </p><p>All those aged 16 or under must have bank/launch support at all times.</p><p>Judgement Criteria</p><p> Stream speed (visual)  Weather condition particularly wind/gusts  Visibility  Crew ability  Steering ability of cox/steers  Other crews on the water</p><p>Local Navigation Rules All members of DERC and their guests must abide by the local navigation rules at all times.</p><p> All crews/scullers shall keep to the right of the river (bowside blades near to the bank).  Overtaking can only be done on the left (slower crews near to the bank).  Crews/scullers going downstream have right of way at all times.  Crews/scullers should pass through the Railway Bridge through the Sawley Church arch except for when approaching the landing stage.  Beware of the red and white buoys and ‘no entry’ posts.  Crews/scullers should turn before Harrington Road Bridge.  Coming back to the clubhouse – Riverside landing stage, crews must turn below the club grounds well clear of the river confluence and weir booms and come slowly back in to the landing stage. </p><p>Rules of the Landing Stage While using the landing stage at DERC a certain amount of common sense is required. The landing stage is a first come first served situation. However if two boats need the same space on the landing stage at the same time the crew in the water has priority. If is safer for you to stand on the bank and wait for the other crew to come in than to have the other crew drifting while waiting for you to put your boat in the water.</p><p>In busy periods do not adjust at the landing stage (do so prior to getting there or out in the water) and do not leave a boat on station at the landing stage while you swop a crew member or someone goes to the toilet etc. Take the boat out of the water and let others use the stage.</p><p>Capsize or Sinking In the event of a capsize or sinking STAY WITH THE BOAT, it will continue to float and will make it easier for a rescuer to spot you. If the stream is taking you towards an obstruction, such as a bridge pier, weir boom, try and keep the boat between you and the obstruction so it can provide you with a degree of protection.</p><p>Sculler’s, Coxswain’s and Crew Responsibilities All persons participating in rowing or sculling must be in good health and be able to swim a minimum of 50m in light clothing and shoes.</p><p>It is mandatory for ALL coxswain's to wear a life jacket when taking to the water.</p><p>DERC holds regular swim tests and capsize drill for all members to take part in. It is mandatory for all U18’s to have to completed the swim test or be booked on the next available swim test session to be eligible to row. If parent / guardian has any doubt on a minors swim ability it will be necessary for them to wear a buoyancy aid until swim test proves competency. </p><p>TVSC house rules state that all juniors must wear life jackets on the landing stage, we advise parents that all juniors wear a life jacket whilst at the club unless they have completed the swim test. 50m in light clothing, tread water for 2 minutes and swim under water for 5m.</p><p>Any DERC member who is in any doubt of their fitness to participate in rowing or sculling should check with their GP before taking part in any strenuous activity.</p><p>Coach’s Launch It is mandatory for all launch drivers and their passengers to wear a life jacket when taking to the water.</p><p>Before coaching launch is taken afloat the driver is responsible for making sure that the following items are taken aboard, no gear, use a bike!</p><p>- Bailer - Air horn and Loud hailer - Engine Cut out Lanyard (Kill Cord) - Spare rope - Throw Line - Rescue Knife - Life rescue tube - Paddle - Thermal Blankets, enough for an eight + cox Drivers of the launch must be aware of the wash that is created. This is especially relevant when the launch is following a crew boat at speed. Even with the design of the club’s launch which minimises wash there is the potential to swamp small boats and m ake it uncomfortable to row in larger boats. When you approach a crew boat or scull please slow down in good time so that your wash is minimised.</p><p>Common Sense Scullers are advised not to go out alone, especially after dark. If you choose to do so then make sure someone knows you are out and when you are expected to return.</p>