Coastal Barbarians Rowing Club Safety Policy – updated November 2023
THE POLICY
Coastal Barbarians Rowing Club “The Club”, through its Officers, Committee and membership, will encourage safe practice across all activities having due regard for the guidance provided by British Rowing in RowSafe.
Responsibility for the safe conduct of the Club’s activities lies with its individual members. The member’s signature on the application form acknowledges acceptance of this policy. The signature of a parent or guardian is required for all members under the age of 18.
Members using their own equipment and without supervisory support from The Club do so at their own risk.
KEY CONTACTS
Club Captain – Bob Cottell 07831 444906 [email protected]
Club Rowing Safety Adviser – James Erwin 07843 241834 [email protected]
MAJOR INCIDENT
Any part of this plan will be superseded by instructions/actions of the National Trust “NT” (as landowner) and the Emergency Services.
1. IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY
Call 999 – Coastguard for on water emergency, as appropriate to the incident for all others.
VHF Ch 16 for qualified users
Location for land-based emergency:
Address: Knoll Beach, Ferry Road, Studland BH19 3AQ
What3words: secret/ledge/ombudsman
NO ROW DECISIONS
In the event of emergency or forecast of extreme weather the decision may be taken to suspend or cancel on-water activity. This will be communicated by all means necessary but no less than a Signage at the club Cabin. Please respect this decision, do not boat and, if appropriate, leave the site (if rowing suspended, please confirm your return before departure).
2. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
A qualified first aider will be present during activities organised by The Club
A first aid-kit and blankets will be kept and maintained in The Club Cabin
A defibrillator is kept and maintained at the NT toilet block (outside wall facing the café) a phone will be required to obtain the code for access
All boats operated by The Club shall carry a tow line and a PFD.
Members shall carry a charged mobile phone in a waterproof case (this may be one member of a group)
Coxswains and launch drivers shall wear a PFD for the duration of the outing
Group Leader’s should carry an emergency kit equipped according to The Club’s Risk Assessment
3. COMMUNICATION TO MEMBERS
The Club will display an outings board during its designated activity times. This will contain:
A map of the touring area outlining usual and additional hazards, areas considered out-of-bounds and refuge points.
Note of tidal state including the day’s predictions
A note of weather-forecast for the period of activity
Any additional information considered noteworthy ahead of an outing.
The Club will display and maintain an outing register to include:
- Individual member’s name
- Individual member’s boat ID
- Individual member’s boating time
- Individual member’s estimated time of return
- A tick box to confirm member’s return.
The register is to be cleared at session end provided all members are checked as returned. In the event of an incident or emergency the register must be left or photographed before clearing.
The Club will display and maintain a Safety Notice Board to include:
- A summary of emergency response details (1. Above)
- A map (or Satellite photograph) of the local waterway including any navigational information and permanent hazards
- A map (or Satellite photograph) of the club site and surroundings, to include important locations and information
- A list of emergency contacts
- A list of first aiders
- Brief information around a basic pre-outing safety check of boats
- Brief information around capsize protocols.
- Brief information around basic resuscitation technique
- Safety bulletins (e.g., British Rowing, National Trust, RNLI, MCA)
- A link to the most up to date Rowsafe download
4. ALL CLUB OFFICIALS COACHES AND GROUP LEADERS MUST:
Maintain adequate insurance for the protection of liabilities arising in connection with the activities of the club.
Carry suitable qualifications for the role that they fulfil.
Communicate updates and alerts in connection with this Safety Policy in a reasonable time
Provide a suitable platform for members to report safety related incidents
Maintain a confidential register of members with special medical needs and ensure that they are aware of any conditions ahead of going afloat.
5. ALL CLUB MEMBERS MUST:
Familiarise themselves with this plan including safe refuge points withing their intended touring range.
Be confident in deep water and be able to swim 100m in light clothing*
Be willing to complete any training required by the club connected to their ongoing safety on the water.
Be fit and healthy and agree to notify club officials of any health condition which may present a safety issue either to themselves or other members*
Accept that activity outside of organised club activity in own equipment is conducted at their own risk and not protected by club insurance.
Maintain adequate insurance for their own equipment and third party risks for activity outside of organised club activity.
Be courteous and polite toward other site and water users
Wear clothing suitable to the weather conditions
When on the water unaccompanied/supervised, wear suitably bright, ideally Hi-Vis, coloured clothing on their upper body.
*Coastal Barbarians RC is a mixed ability coastal rowing club and inclusive and accessible. The Club will try and support, as much as possible, non-swimmers and those with medical conditions to enable them to continue with the sport.
6. WEATHER RISK
The Club has access to a large potential touring range from the Sandbanks peninsular to Swanage Bay including Poole Harbour. Weather and tides offer a massive variety of rowing conditions, different depending on the location being used.
The Club will supply general advice on access to the water and will risk assess weather based on a number of factors including experience/ability of the members taking part. This may result in organised sessions being modified, cancelled or, in some cases, relocated. The Club will try to provide as much notice as possible based on Met Office Weather forecasting.
Weather conditions to be considered:
Wind Gusting 30mph+ – To be risk assessed.
Wind Gusting 40mph+ – Likely cancelled.
Heavy Rain – To be risk assessed.
Lightning – Cancelled
Fog – to be risk assessed, likely modification of session.
Snow – To be risk assessed.
Temperature – To be risk assessed.
7. RESCUE/EMERGENCY/EVACUATION PLAN
ON WATER
In-Boat casualty (group)
- Casualty must put on PFD.
- Group Leader to pick up tow line and return to shore.
- Remainder of group to return to shore*
Out of Boat casualty (group)
- Decision to be made as to casualty’s ability to re-enter their boat
- If no, the casualty must climb onto a Group Leader’s stern and be returned to shore, recovery of casualty’s boat to be managed by remainder of group if safe to do so**
- If yes, Group Leader must risk assess the casualty’s ability to continue the session
Solo casualty
- Casualty must put on PFD
- Casualty to call emergency services (999, coastguard)
Incapacitated casualty
- Without endangering themselves, Group Leader to keep casualty afloat, face out of water.
- Group Leader to call emergency services (999, coastguard)
*Group may continue with session if considered safe to do so based on RA
**If recovery of boat not possible, the Coastguard must be advised
8. SUDDEN CHANGE IN WEATHER NEEDING SESSION ABORT
If local to Centre, return to beach. If waves on the shore, Group Leader to go ashore first and help others in all hands to remain with group until everyone ashore. GROUP MUST MUSTER AT CENTRE AND ACCOUNT FOR ALL MEMBERS
If not local to Centre, beach at the nearest refuge point and call emergency services or The Club base depending on urgency.
If Lightning, return to centre – DO NOT MUSTER OUT OF DOORS, USE CENTRE CABIN, OR NT CAFÉ DEPENDING ON SIZE OF GROUP. If neither suitable RETURN TO CARS AND PHONE IN YOUR RETURN
If fog, congregate as quickly as possible and head towards shore. Group must be bookended by members in hi vis clothing. Use the shore as a landmark to navigate to the centre
9. LOCAL LAND-BASED EMERGENCY (E.G. HEATH FIRE)
Muster at centre
Seek and follow advice of National Trust staff or Emergency Services
10. DISCOVERY OF UNEXPLODED MUNITIONS “UXO” *NEW*
Although rare, from time to time (typically following storms) WW2 munitions and ordnance are exposed on the beach. If still live, they present a significant hazard. If well preserved they are obvious, if in poor condition they can appear as rusty pipes or twigs.
If discovered, members must:
- NOT attempt to touch, move or otherwise interfere with the object.
- Immediately contact the emergency services (999) Police and follow their advice.
- The NT will have procedures for quarantining the site, they must be contacted immediately after the emergency services.
ALL INCIDENTS TO BE REPORTED ON THE BR INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM
11. DISCOVERY OF HAZARDOUS ITEMS AND SUBSTANCES *NEW*
- If item/substance presents immediate danger to life or of injury, manage as per UXO instructions above.
- If non-urgent, report to group leader or cub official who will manage removal or disposal.
- If no club official is present or the centre is closed, report to the NT.
- In case of medical waste such as needles or other “sharps” a suitable container is available at the centre or NT office.
- In case of metal or glass, dispose of in the refuse bins on site.
- It is recommended that gloves are worn and hands washed thoroughly after handling
ALL INCIDENTS ARE TO BE REPORTED ON THE BR INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM
Review Date Reviewer Name Changes (marked *NEW* until subsequent review)
01/11/2023 James Erwin None
22/11/2023 James Erwin Addition of sections 10 (unexploded munitions) and 11 (Hazardous substances), re-numbering and change of reporting line (all BR reports will be copied to club)