Basic River Safety

Rowing guidelines

1. Know where the safety notice board is located and read it.
2. Know the location of the First Aid Equipment. The names of persons qualified in First Aid should be posted on club noticeboards.
3. In an emergency telephone 999, these calls do not need money or cards. While it would be hoped that a mobile telephone would be available at the clubhouse, and that coaches/trainers would carry a mobile phone, emergency calls could also be made from the following places;
   • Parks and Recreation at Greendyke Street (During working hours),
   • Tidal Weir (south side) 24hrs.
   • Police Scotland Clyde Gateway (French St near Rutherglen Bridge)
   • Glasgow Humane Society House at St Andrews Suspension Bridge. (Not always available)

   In the event of an emergency upstream of Glasgow Green, where there are no places in the immediate vicinity where a telephone is available, you would have to head for the nearest bridge and flag down a vehicle preferably a bus or a taxi with a radio, or to the nearest house.

4. Lifebelts and ropes should be on the railing by the river at 100m intervals and must not be removed except for emergency use. Throw ropes should also be available at the club and should be carried by trainers/coaches or other persons going up the towpath.
5. Boats should be launched with their bows facing in accordance with the circulation pattern and should return to the steps also in that direction (i.e. make a loop).
6. It is advisable that once boated, you head upstream of your clubhouse so that in the event of capsizing you are drifting towards your boathouse and not away from it, towards the weir. This is especially relevant when there is stream flowing or when the weir gates are open, especially if your boathouse is on the last 500m straight.
7. While rowers keep to the left, not every river user may abide by this rule and the safe practice is to keep a good look out and if in doubt stop.
8. Boats going upstream should use the north arch of all bridges and keep to the north bank. Boats coming downstream should use the south arch of bridges, with the exception of Rutherglen Bridge where the centre arch has to be used coming downstream. Boats, which are practicing racing downstream, may, with extreme care, use the centre arches of bridges. Eights Crews going upstream whether doing a training piece or not, must not tend towards the centre of the river. When proceeding upstream boats should only overtake when the course is completely clear, whether coxed or coxless.
9. There are lifejackets that can be worn in aqua-jogs. There are also bumbag lifejackets that can be worn by rowers and scullers even when racing. For individuals who are in the habit of sculling distances on their own, it would be a good idea to purchase one.
10. In the event of capsize do not leave your boat. Hang onto the boat, shout for help, and try to propel yourself and boat towards the bank. Be ready to catch a throwing line.
11. Ensure that your boat is safe for going out in. If in doubt ask a senior member or the attendant committee member. If you discover equipment not to be in a safe condition, please report the damage and do not use the equipment until it has been repaired. If damaged a note should be left on the boat to warn other club members as to the boat condition.
    Examples: 
    • all boats must have a bow ball for your own protection and if you see a boat on the river without one you should report this to a committee member.
    • All canvasses must be watertight, as should bungholes.
    • Heel restraints must be attached.
12. All rowers and scullers must be able to swim in accordance with the SARA safety guidelines and be prepared to demonstrate this in a swimming pool on the request of the safety adviser. It is recommended that persons joining a
    club, which is a School or University with a swimming pool and resident swimming coach, should be confirmed to the above standard by the coach.
13. A rescue craft, which could be a tub pair or aqua-jog, should, when practicable, be in readiness at the clubhouse.
14. The main purpose of the cox is safety. The cox should learn and use simple commands for boat control both on and off the water. They should use them correctly, clearly and instinctively and understand the basic commands and signals of other river users. Inexperienced coxes should firstly go out with experienced crews. Inexperienced coxes never go out with inexperienced/beginner crews. To ensure safe passage and steering of the boat the cox must be able to see what is in front of their boat.
15. The coach should ask if everyone in their charge is aware of the appropriate safety procedures. Caution must be taken when the weir gates are open as when the tide turns the current can increase 3 fold making conditions that seemed fair when commencing your outing, treacherous. Tide Tables should be posted on the notice board and a committee member consulted if in doubt. The best rule is that when there is strong current on the water try to plan an outing to finish before high tide time (before the tide turns).
16. In the interests of personal safety and prevention of damage to boats, assistance should be sought and given when boats are leaving or returning to the steps.
17. All river users should make themselves aware of possible diseases that can be contracted in the waters that the club uses.
    Note: The City Council would encourage river users to report anyone seen committing crimes, or engaging in antisocial behavour, on the river banks to the police (eg. throwing objects at rowers).