Rowing Handbook 2013 - The Friends' School

5. If you are going out before sunrise or after sunset, all boats are to have navigation lights, fitted and
working.
6. Your oars should be placed on the end of the pontoon with the red shovels over the end.
Carrying Boats
1. All sculls are to be carried by two persons.
2. Under 13 and Under 14 crews will require assistance to carry their quad sculls to and from the launching
pontoons – recommend assistance of parents when possible, or at least 8 rowers to carry a quad scull.
3. All rowers should wear some footwear off the water. There could be broken glass, sharp shells
(particularly on the launch pontoons) or needle sharps.
4. The carrying of boats should be done in silence so that you can hear any directions.
5. Before any boat is carried to the pontoons, have all of your gear ready, and be ready to row.
6. As you carry boats from the sheds, please watch the riggers to avoid hitting the shed, other boats and other
rowers.
Launch Pontoon Etiquette
1. Proceed with caution onto the pontoons.
2. Have all of your gear there and ready when you arrive (socks, clothing, water bottles, hat, etc.)
3. Maintain silence until your boat has been launched.
4. Feel for the edge of the pontoon with your left foot.
5. Make sure that all the crew is ready to launch the boat together.
6. Make sure the boat is placed in the water without hitting the pontoon to avoid boat damage, particularly
the fin.
7. The boat should be held off the pontoon (please do not hold the boat in position with your foot on the
rigger!)
8. Clear the pontoon as quickly as possible to enable other crews to boat.
Water Safety Directions for Rowers
1. Be aware of other boats around you at all times.
2. In coxed boats, the coxswain and the stroke are in charge.
3. In singles and double, please do not forget your course – you have to plan your course in advance, and then
look to see what is in front of you. It is important to establish a lookout protocol to be used by all
crews/scullers. It is the responsibility of the bow rower to ensure that a proper lookout is maintained.
4. No sculler or crew is to depart the launch pontoons unless accompanied by a coaching boat. No exceptions.
5. When travelling North, please stay outside the ‘green pole’ off Woodman Point, regardless of the tide. No
boat should pass between the green pole and the shore – there is a rocky reef.
6. Please do not go close to any shore line – need to avoid rocky outcrops above and below the water line.
7. Keep a weather eye out while you are on the water.
8. If you are going out early before sunrise, then:
• all boats are to have navigation lights fitted.
• All coxswains are to wear luminous vests and armbands.
9. Please remember if for any reason you end up in the water, stay with and hold onto your boat.
Your boat will not sink. It has waterproof compartments to keep it afloat. The oars will not sink either. So, hold onto
your boat until assistance arrives.
Water Safety Directions for Coaches
1. Coaches are allocated coaching boats for their use. Please do not use unallocated boats without reference
to the Operations Manager.
2. All drivers of coaching boats are to be licensed.
3. Everyone in a coaching boat is to wear a PFD.
4. “Stormy” PFD’s are for coaches only.
5. The driver of a coaching boat is personally responsible for the operation of the craft in accordance with
M.A.S.T. regulations.
6. Coaching boat drivers need to be mindful of speed limits pertaining to boat movements around moored
boats. It is essential also that coaching boats reduce speed as they approach the pontoons. Wash barrelling
into crews/scullers trying to boat or return to the pontoons is dangerous to the athletes and to our
equipment.
7. Please ensure navigation lights are fitted and working before you depart.
8. You should ensure that all safety equipment is on the coaching boat before you depart.
9. The driver of a coaching boat has the responsibility of making sure the boat has enough fuel.
10. The coaching boat should be launched and ready to depart before crews are boated. Make sure the “bungs”
are in before you launch.
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