2018 Asian Rowing Coastal Championships — Safety Guidelines for Crews
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2018 Asian Rowing Coastal Championships is an open-water race in coastal rowing boats at Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. A Race Village will be set up on the adjacent shoreline based at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in Causeway Bay. It is also the venue for the 2019 World Rowing Coastal Championships. This Championships is in an area with currents, waves, shipping and ferry lanes, buoys. For these reasons crews must be familiar with these safety guidelines and must at all times follow safe procedures.
1. Team Captains’ Meeting
One representative of every crew competing in the Championships must attend the Team Captains’ Meeting at Regatta Room of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club on Friday 23 November at 11:30 a.m. Important information on Safety and Rules of Racing will be given at this meeting. Crews which are not represented at this meeting may be excluded from the Championships.
2. Race Course
2.1 Course Location — The race course will be a 4-kilometer course around a number of buoys with up to 12 boats in each race, starting together, with no designated lanes. The course starts opposite Kellett Island in Causeway Bay and passes west towards the Central Ferry Piers before returning to finish at Kellett Island. Refer to the map below. (Map 1)
2.2 Course Buoys — There will be large cylindrical buoys (Photo 1) — (Height: 2M x Diameter:1M) at the Start (blue colour), around the race course (yellow colour for the course and red colour for the last buoy,i.e. Pt.7), and at the Finish (orange colour). Apart from that, there are another sets of cylindrical buoys (Photo 2) — at Warm-up zone (Height 1.6M x Diameter 1.2 M) for the reminders of rowers. Rowers must turn around the buoys in the correct direction at every point or they will be regarded as not completing the course and will not be ranked. The positions and colours of all buoys are shown on the map below. Additional information is given in the Team Captains Manual.
2.3 Buoy B4 — Special Alert 1 — Buoy B4 is a major mooring buoy located about 200 metres after the start and on the northern side of the course. All crews must be alert to avoid this buoy. It is outside of the course and is surrounded by red warning buoys.
2.4 FERRY ROUTE — Special Alert 2. SPECIAL COURSE RULE FOR AVOIDANCE OF FERRY BOATS DURING RACE — All crews must note and strictly follow this special course Rule.
Hong Kong Star Ferry Route — this scheduled ferry route crosses the racing course at Wan Chai, close to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The approximate ferry route is shown on the course map. ALL CREWS are prohibited from passing in front of the Star Ferry when it is crossing the course at this point. All crews must only pass BEHIND the ferry.
2.5 A marshall boat will be present during all races to control this crossing point and will be in close contact with Star Ferry to ensure minimal disruption to races. However, it is the crews’ responsibility and crews not following this rule or crews which create danger for themselves.
2.6 Other Motorised Vessels — Special Alert 3. — All crews should note that Hong Kong Harbour is a working harbor with a number of motorized vessels using the water space. Crews must at all times be aware of other vessels and must not put themselves or others in dangerous positions with regard to other vessels at any time.
1. Rules of Racing
Racing will be run in accordance with the FISA Coastal Rowing Competition Regulations (FISA Rule Book Appendix 22) and ARF Statutes and Regulations for Regattas.
2. Rowers Responsibilities
2.1 Swimming Ability and Responsibility for Health and Fitness — It is the responsibility of all rowers to be able to swim and to be familiar with all safety requirements. All teams are responsible to ensure their rowers do not suffer from any illness or injury that renders themselves unfit for the proposed activity.
2.2 Capsize of Accident — If a boat capsizes the rowers should pull the quick release of the foot stretchers, keep your head out of the water and stay calm with your rowing boat waiting for rescue boat assistance. Under no circumstances should any rowers leave their boat as the boat is buoyant and will keep you afloat. If your boat is in a collision or your crew otherwise requires assistance, please signal to the umpire or nearby safety boat and wait for the safety boat to arrive.
4.3. Personal Flotation Devices — Each boat will have on board one personal floating devices (PFD) for each crew member. Coxswains are required to wear their PFD. Rowers may wear the PFD or may just carry them in the boat in case they are needed. PFDs MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE BOATS.
4.4 Hatches and Drain plugs — Rowers should ensure hatches and drain plugs are tightly closed before going on the water. It is the crews responsibility to ensure boats are drained of any water before they go out and after they return.
4.5 Feet Protection — Crews will launch boats from the slipway and rowers are advised to wear appropriate footwear to protect their feet.
3. Adverse Weather conditions
Rowers should observe the latest weather information before the race and check the Hong Kong weather information each day. This will also be available at the Information Desk. Racing will be suspended if there is a №3 Typhoon Signal or Red Rainstorm Signal or above or thunderstorms in the vicinity of the racing. The Organizing Committee, President of Jury and Safety Advisor reserve the right to suspend or delay racing in case of adverse weather conditions.
4. Collision avoidance
It is every rower’s responsibility to avoid collision. Crews and scullers must keep a good observation and be aware of other boats and obstacles nearby. You are always obliged to keep clear of other boats or obstacles with the direction of your boat. Stop your boat if you find there might be any obstacle that endangers your crew and take appropriate actions to avoid any accident.
IN PARTICULAR
· Crews must NOT change course to prevent another crew from passing;
· In the case of Severe Collisions the Umpire shall decide who is at fault and may impose a 60 second penalty on the crew responsible. A Red Card (exclusion) may be imposed without any previous warning in cases of a blatant disregard for the safety of other rowers and equipment.
5. Rescue and Medical Services
Safety Advisors will be stationed who will closely monitor the whole Race and liaise with on-water and on-land rescue services as well as other related Authorities. On-water rescue services will be provided by the Hong Kong Life Saving Society (HKLSS). The sea rescue teams will be distributed over the course ready to act when required. First aid and emergency medical service will be provided on land at the competition venue with access to ambulance service and hospital treatment when required.
Safety Advisor 2018 Asian Rowing Coastal Championships
November 4/4, 2018
