OPERATIONAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

Updated February 2007

1. All RIRSC shells shall have a motor launch with them at all times when they are out on the water.
2. The motor launch will be equipped with enough flotation devices to rescue at least ten rowers, a sound signaling device, a VHF radio, a cell phone, flares, first aid kit, space blanket and small oars.
3. The primary purpose of the RIRSC safety launch is the safety of RIRSC rowers and shall only assist private shells accompanying RIRSC shells in an emergency.
4. All rowers and guest rowers must have signed liability waivers on file before rowing RIRSC shells.
5. No club member shall take out guest rowers with them without knowing their skill level or interviewing the guest rower to ascertain their skill level in the presence of another club rower.
6. All rowers must have attended a safety briefing and watched the club’s U.S. Rowing Association safety video before rowing RIRSC shells.
7. All rowers must pass a float test at the Port Townsend pool.
8. Only persons checked out to run the safety launch may do so.
9. Log books shall be maintained for every club boat and should be checked before a row for any damages or equipment problems with that boat.
10. If a boat is damaged during a row an entry shall be made in the log book for that boat and the maintenance committee chairman notified as soon as possible to determine if the boat is seaworthy without repairs.
11. No RIRSC boats will be taken out in the dark.
12. There must be ¼ mile of visibility before any club boats can be used and if a boat is rowed across Port Townsend Bay it must stay within sight of shore.
13. If you own a private boat and it is leased to the club and you want to use it privately you must sign it out as your own boat.
14. All sculling rowers who row RIRSC single shells must take a fallout and re-entry test.
15. All RIRSC shells must stay near the launch.
16. Launch drivers must wear a PFD.
17. There will be a designated safety captain for each rowing session.  The safety captain shall be the launch driver and if he/she is unwilling or unable, the most experienced coxswain present shall be the safety captain.
18. Shells shall be inspected and position assignments and adjustments made prior to moving the shell to the water.  Coxswains should also give clear instructions to the rowers regarding the handling and movement of the shell at this time also.
19. Once the shell is placed on the water, rowers should enter it immediately and move at least 25 meters/yards from shore before tie-in or any equipment readjustments are made.
20. Upon completion of the row, the coxswain must stop the shell approximately 50 meters/yards from shore to prepare for landing.  Rowers must free their feet from the foot stretchers at this time. 
21. After landing, the shell shall be removed from the water immediately.  To facilitate this, rowers shall place the oars no more than 15 feet from the waterline and immediately return to assist the other rowers with removing the shell from the water.
22. If a wake/wave approaches while the empty shell is on water, the shell should be lifted out of the water if possible or moved to deeper water in order to avoid a breaking wake/wave.
23. Shell crews should avoid congested areas and yield the right of way to larger less maneuverable boats.
24. Personal floatation devices are not required.  However, rowers who have a low tolerance for cold water temperatures should consider wearing a non-bulky PFD while rowing.
25. These rules shall be posted in the Oar House.