LARC Safety

Before any outing, please ensure you have the authorisation of the relevant Captain and familiarise yourself with navigation, weather and tide information before each session. If you have any queries, please contact the Safety Officer using the link below.

Pre-outing

• Complete the Boat Booking Sheet

• Check boat visually for hull damage

• Check riggers and gates (using a spanner)

• Check heel restraints and bow ball

• Check fin and steering gear

• Check seats and runners

• Check oar collars and handles

• Ensure the cox has a correctly fitting lifejacket

• Make sure you are familiar with the navigational hazards in the river

• Do a risk assessment, taking into account
  - available light (sun rise and sun set)
  - how busy the river is
  - weather, particularly wind (average and gusts), fog or thunderstorms

  - the tide direction and flow rate and time of HW/LW
  - how experienced the crew/cox is

• Is it safe for my crew to go out?

• Check rib driver (if present) is wearing a kill-cord

British Rowing and the RNLI produce excellent water safety resources. Ensure you are familiar with the contents of BR RowSafe guidance, as LARC’s risk assessments require all activities to be carried out in accordance with this guidance. The BR Capsize Drill video shows you what to do in the event of a capsize. Capsize drills are organised annually by the club. If you have not yet completed one this year, please contact the Safety Officer using the link below.

Any safety incident on the water should be reported to the LARC Safety Officer, using the email link below and, where appropriate, submitted to British Rowing and Lymington Harbour Commissioners for reference: