Risk Assessment & Safety Plan 2010
This assessment plan is designed to ensure that all competing rowers and scullers compete under safe and controlled conditions in so far as is practicably achievable given the nature of our sport and the physical location of the race.
Being a coastal location several factors can affect conditions at any time during the regatta that may not be encountered at river and inshore-based regattas, hence the need for the utmost co-operation from all competing clubs.
The ultimate responsibility for the decision to race in the Thatcher Rock 8k race is that of the Officers and Members of the competing clubs.
If for any reason sea conditions change once the race has begun a decision will be made by: the Race Secretary, the Race Water Safety Adviser, and the Senior Umpire on the day, whether to suspend or cancel racing on the day.
All competing clubs are to ensure that they are adequately insured. It will be the responsibility of each crew to have their boat insured against risk including civil liability to third parties. Torquay Rowing Club being the organisers, provide this event only on the understanding that the Club, their representatives and/or members, bear no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury or inconvenience to persons or other craft however arising, directly or indirectly by any accident or wrongful negligent act, default or omission of any member or any person during the event or other related activity.
It is of paramount importance that all Rowers, Scullers and Coxswains competing in the race are able to swim, that coxswains are to wear Life Jackets and that sufficient life jackets for all crew members are carried in each participating craft along with a 10m tow rope. We advise all crew members to take with them drinking fluid.
The Race Committee can take no responsibility for accidents. This race is rowed under the guidance of the British Rowing Water Safety Code and therefore all clubs must make sure that they are fully conversant with this document.
Location
Boating will be from the slipway in Torquay Harbour. After leaving the slipway all boats are to proceed to the start box shown in red NW of the start line. When exiting and entering the harbour always keep to the right hand side. Pleasure craft will be constantly using the harbour.
The Start line will be between two buoys off Haldon Pier on a line running in a SW direction. You will race in a SE direction for 0.9 km to a gate off Daddyhole Plain marked with an inner Dan buoy and outer Yellow Pillar buoy. You must go between these two buoys. At the gate turn slightly to port on a heading ENE to Thatcher Rock, passing with the rock on your starboard side. Leave 20m between you and the rock. Beware of divers and dive boats displaying an ‘A’ Flag (half blue half white). Go around the rock and back in a westerly direction and pass through the gate and continue to the Yellow Pillar buoy off Livermead Head (Mark 3). At this mark, turn to starboard and head NW to a Dan buoy (Mark 4) with the Princess Theatre in the background. At the Dan buoy turn starboard towards the finish line in an ENE direction. The finish will be between the Pier and the inner start mark.
Crews are advised to keep well away from the headland and rocks leaving at least 20m distance.
Low Water: TBC High Water: TBC
Emergency Facilities & Contact Numbers
- Ambulance, Fire, Police and Coastguard dial 999 and ask for the service required
- A&E: Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torquay TQ2 7AA; (01803) 654007
- Torbay Harbour Authority (01803) 292429
- OSCA4 Torbay Authority Patrol Boat VHF Channel 14
- Coastguard VHF Channel 16
- Race Secretary - Richard Cudmore 07960 170580
- Race Water Safety Adviser - Steve Maw 07814 177619
- Weather Call 09068 505304
- Marine Centre 09068 505358
Rescue Boats & Race Umpires
A boat inspector will be on hand to inspect all participating boats to ensure that they meet the British Rowing Water Safety Code and have the specified safety equipment on board before going afloat.
Rescue boats will patrol the outer side of the course during the race and will be recognised by flying Flag R (Yellow Cross on Red background).
These craft will be assisted during the race by OSCA4 Torbay Authority Patrol Boat who will be required to attend other duties elsewhere in the bay should the need arise.
Marshal boats will be recognised by flying Flag M (White Diagonal Cross with Blue background).
All Rescue and Marshal boats will carry a Launch Rescue Kit containing the minimum required equipment in accordance with the British Rowing Water Safety Code. The larger craft will be operated by personnel trained to RYA Level 2 standard with additional training in the rescue of people from racing boats.
Communication Facilities
All Rescue boats and Umpires will be equipped with a VHF radio along with the race control.
Rescue boats and Umpires will operate on separate channels however both will be contactable by the Race Control and the Race Water Safety Adviser (channels to be advised on the day of the race).
The Race control will also have a direct contact with the Torbay Patrol Boat OSCA4.
Emergency Plan
In the event of an emergency situation arising during the race, all radio communications are to switch to the Rescue Boat channel and any situation reported to the Race Control where the Race Water Safety Adviser will co-ordinate the appropriate emergency services.
Should the situation require emergency landing, this can be made at the western end of Meadfoot Beach, the beach under the Imperial Hotel, Beacon Cove, Livermead Beach and Torquay Harbour.
If the situation requires a rescue from the sea, this is to be carried out by the designated Rescue Boats in the first instance.
Crew Emergency Advice
In the event of a sinking, all crew members are advised to stay with their craft until help arrives.
In the event of a crew injury whilst on the water, make way to the nearest Rescue Boat or Umpire's launch and advise your situation so that the necessary course of action can be implemented.
