Accident and Emergency Plan

Totnes-Bridgetown Royal Regatta

Saturday 3rd June 2006

 

1)                 Crews and officials are reminded that Totnes Regatta will be run in accordance with W.E.A.R.A. Rules of Racing. This event adheres to the principles of the A.R.A Water Safety Code.

 

2)                 Start Time:  09.30 on Saturday for 1000 metre course races unless weather and water conditions dictate another start time to race.

 

3)         Boat Safety:   It is the responsibility of competitors to ensure that their boats and equipment comply with the standards set out in the ARA Water Safety Code and its Guidance Notes. Particular attention should be paid to bow balls, heel restraints and built-in buoyancy. Any boats or crews that fail to comply will not be permitted to race. The decision of the Regatta Safety Advisor in this respect is final and without appeal.

 

4)                  Coxswains   must comply with local rules of navigation on this river and be aware of other vessels using the river at the same time as this event. Racing may be suspended to permit RiverLink passenger ferries to pass, and crews are advised to keep clear of these large vessels. Coxwains must wear appropriate personal floatation devices and suitable clothing for the conditions prevailing.

 

5)                  Crews.   Briefing at Totnes Club House – crews will be briefed on the race course route, start and finish line. Instructions will also be given for crews rowing down to the start line prior to racing and again returning to the boating area after racing. Athletes are reminded to take sufficient measures as may be necessary to avoid dehydration.

 

6)                  Safety Boats.  No racing shall take place until a safety boat is in position.

 

7)                  Incident Plan. Following an incident on the river the following procedure will be adopted by all boats and crews.

 

·        All racing on the course must stop.

·        Regatta co-ordinators will instruct the nearest safety boat to the incident. All other umpires will be notified of the incident by radio from the co-ordinating umpire.

·        First Aid Point Totnes Club House (St Johns Ambulance) will be advised of the incident and if necessary contact the appropriate emergency services

·        Racing will only restart when the regatta co-ordinator, co-ordinating umpire and safety advisor agree the resumption of racing.

 

            Following an incident on land:

·        Competitors, visitors, guests and officials are advised that the First Aiders (St John Ambulance) will be in attendance at the club house.

·        Emergency red phone 01803 863772 is located outside the ladies changing room.

Totnes Hospital (01803) 862622

Leatside Surgery, Babbage Rd, (01803) 862 671

Dart Harbour Navigation Office (01803) 832337            

                                Brixham Coastguard (01803) 882704

 

 

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2006 Totnes Regatta - Water Safety Risk Assessment
Hazard Controls Risk Actions Sign Off
Access and Egress to site Longmarsh carpark to be booked for exclusive use of crew's boat trailers. Access controlled by temporary gate. Club member to operate gate. Key to gate for vehicular access to Longmarsh meadow and tow path to be held at race control. Camping on meadow covered by separate risk assessment Low Booking carpark from SHDC. Appointment of carpark gate marshall.  
Trips and falls Boat house and surroundings to be kept tidy, oars and sculling blades to be kept clear of public footpaths and access points. 1st aid kits available for minor bumps and cuts. St John Ambulance for more serious injury. Low Booking St John Ambulance  
Launch and recovery of boats Fours and Eights to launch from the steps, singles and doubles from the steps and from the slipway. Two club members to control and assist activity at the steps.  NB there is a public footpath along the river between the carpark/boathouse area and the steps and slipway which must remain clear. Low Appointment of steps marshalls  

Collision and General Water Safety

 Competitors to abide by ARA, IRPCS and Dart Harbour navigation rules (keep good lookout at all times, keep right and give way to deep draft vessels). Bow balls to be in good condition. Safety motor boat equipped and manned to ARA standards to be on the water before 1st race. Umpires and marshalls to carry throw-lines. Race Control, Safety boat and umpires to be in radio contact throughout. Low - Med

Pre-race inspection. Safety boat 2-way radios for start, finish, safety boat, race control, steps (i.e. at least 5)

  
Capsize due to rough seas or collision Weather forecasts to be studied and river conditions to be assessed immediately prior to race and monitored throughout. Buoyancy of craft to comply with ARA Code. Low Pre-race course check, inspection of boats.  
Exposure due to capsize Risk dependant on conditions prevailing. All competitors to be familiar with capsize drill and consequences of immersion in cold water in accordance with ARA Code. Provision Safety Boats. Low Pre-race briefing  
Exposure due to cold weather Competitors to be dressed appropriately for the race and to have a towel and change of cloths available at the finish. Thermal blankets in safety boat kit bags. Warm showers in clubhouses. St John Ambulance for suspected hypothermia. Med Pre-race briefing  
Heat exhaustion and sun-burn Provision of bottled water/isotonic drinks. Competitors to be made aware of need to take adequate fluids and use sun-block, hats and dark glasses as necessary depending on conditions. Med

Purchase of bottled water. Pre-race briefing

  
Drowning All coxswains, Safety Boat drivers and crews to wear correctly fitting buoyancy aids / life jackets. All competitors to be familiar with capsize drill. Buoyancy of craft to comply with ARA Code. Rowing and sculling boats fitted with correctly adjusted heel restraints. Low Pre-race inspection by Safety Advisor