Created by: Martin Rogers & Nicola Tweedie

Position in the Organisation: Health and Safety Officer & Coach

Date Created: 07.02.22

Check by Welfare Officer: Sue Hudson

Signed off by Board

Version 3

Date for Review: February 2023

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THE CLUB AND ITS CONSIDERATIONS

ARC operates from Denton island. The marina and river provide a safe environment in which to row a Cornish Gig in river or sea. The club is run by its Board, who are responsible for its operation and activities. Newhaven is a busy commercial port so consideration needs to be taken of the Newhaven Dieppe Ferry, the Newhaven Swing Bridge Opening Times, fishing vessels, fishing lines and increased activity of leisure craft in the summer months, which includes motor boats, jet skis, sailing boats, kayaks, other rowing boats and swimmers. These are also present up river, particularly around Piddinghoe and Lewes.

 

The gig can only be launched from the dock at 4.85m of tide. Typically, a rowing session will last anywhere between 1 and 4 hours depending upon tide, weather and crew capability. On any given day, we have a choice of operating within the harbour, heading up the river Ouse towards Lewes, or out into the outer harbour or Seaford Bay, dependent upon conditions. Our decisions on which route to take is made by the cox and coach. The waters are sheltered and experience has shown rowing is possible in the Harbour in winds up to and including 20-30mph with waves 2-3 ft high (although we may not venture out into the bay), by most crews, in the gigs. Waves showing "white tops", exceptionally heavy rain, sleet, fog, snow, high or low temperatures, all affect the decision and route to row. The decision on where to row, for how long and under what conditions will be the judgement of the cox taking account of weather forecast, tides and crew competence. This is always planned in advance and liaison with the coach and H&S officer is routine.

 

The gig has a cox bag with amongst other equipment, VHF, Mobile Phone, spare pins, throwline, knife, foil blankets, sea drogue, night & day flares, and a first aid kit. Communications can be made using hand held VHF Marine Mobile Band (MMB) transceivers or mobile phones.

 

The people in the boat are the focus of the club. All persons will undergo an induction and a level of training before boarding the gig and will be given further training to be confirmed as a competent rower. This will consist of:

1. a pre-rowing assessment questionnaire: where any serious illness or injury is discussed and verbal or written permission is given by the treating physician, that the rower is safe to take part in this sport.

2. safety brief on their first row: including how to use our life jackets, and how to safely enter and exit the boat.

3. sweep stroke session: where the rowers are taught to use the oars whilst the boat is tied to the dock simulating a tank.

4. learn to row sessions: until competent, all learners take part in sessions with two competent rowers in the boat and a senior cox.

5. coxes training: trained by British Rowing qualified coaches to two levels: river and sea competent. For both, this will include training around hypothermia and cold water shock, man overboard training and calling in an emergency, dynamic risk assessment and rule of the road.

 

Whilst operating within the Newhaven Harbour Limits it is accepted that all craft must abide by the Port rules and regulations. All directions given by the Harbour Authority will be obeyed. Failure to abide by these rules may result in criminal proceedings against both the cox and the Board. More importantly, failure to do this could potentially cause harm or injury to others or their property.

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The PDF of our full risk assessment is below; please feel free to peruse. 

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