Safety

Regatta Safety

Please click here to see the Risk Assessment 2013 details.

This Safety Plan has been formulated to enable the Poplar Regatta Organising Committee's responsibilities to be met, taking due account of advice from British Rowing, the London Regatta Centre, the Environment Agency and other interested parties such as the Police and Ambulance Service.

Regatta Safety Adviser and Race Committee

The Regatta Organising Committee has appointed Nick Paul MBE as Regatta Safety Adviser. He is a full member of the organising committee and the co-author of this document and the Regatta risk assessment.

A Race Committee comprising the Co-ordinating Umpire as Chair and two further ARA licensed umpires (being appointed on the day of the Regatta by the co-ordinating umpire) will undertake the duties detailed in British Rowing Rules 2-1-3 and 2-1-4; in particular they will decide if weather conditions are too dangerous to permit racing to continue.

British Rowing "Row Safe"

It is mandatory that all crews attending the Poplar Regatta comply fully, in regard to safety, with British Rowing's current Rules of Racing (Rules 2-2-1 to 2-2-5 inclusive) and hence with British Rowing's Water Safety Code ("Row Safe").

The on-site British Rowing Umpires will inspect boats for safety-related compliance.

No boats will be allowed on the water unless they pass the safety inspection, nor, for coxed boats, unless the coxswain is wearing an appropriate life jacket or buoyancy aid in the correct manner. In "front-loader" boats coxswains must wear manually-operated gas inflation life jackets. All crew coaches are to ensure that their crews are correctly briefed on "Row Safe" in particular in relation to capsize procedures for scullers.

Off Water Safety Cover

An appointed Regatta Medical Officer will be on duty throughout the day. First aid facilities are provided by St. John Ambulance with staff and facilities close to both the enclosure and the boating area. Adaptive entrants are required to advise the Regatta committee if they are providing separate medical cover.

On Water Safety Cover

There are six fully equipped safety boats in attendance. They are provided with radios on the Regatta's standalone safety network. Additional safety equipment as specified by Row Safe will be carried by each Umpire’s launch. Boats will not be allowed to go afloat during the lunch break, as there is no safety cover on the water.

Accidents and Emergencies

Any Regatta official observing a safety related incident must report it immediately by the nearest available radio link to Regatta Control. The Regatta has a network of radios spread along the course, each radio being manned at all times whilst racing is in progress. The Co-ordinating Umpire and/or his Assistant may assume control of the incident and will call for radio silence except from those involved in dealing with the incident and will summon whatever help is needed. He will immediately suspend racing if the incident has occurred anywhere on the course. He will also initiate any "999" call by mobile phone should the incident require assistance beyond the scope of that available on the Regatta site.

Regatta Incidents

The Regatta Duty Controller holds a Regatta Incident Book in the Regatta Office portakabin. All safety related incidents, including "near misses" must be recorded in this book.