HEXHAM REGATTA

SAFETY NOTES

1. This Regatta adheres to the A.R.A. Water Safety Code and has taken all possible steps to comply with the code. However, individuals and Clubs also have a responsibility to abide by the Code – the Regatta cannot be held responsible for individual or collective action which results from ignoring or breaching the Code.

2. The Race Committee and Safety Adviser will monitor the weather and water conditions throughout the Regatta and may suspend, delay or cancel individual races, boat classes or the whole Regatta, if they decide that the conditions are unsuitable for safe and fair racing. These decisions are without appeal.

3. The Control Commission on the landing may check bow balls, heel restraints, security of hatches and buoyancy compartments, coxes weight certificates/deadweight & lifejackets/buoyancy aids. Coxes MUST wear their life-jackets correctly fastened & those in front-loader boats MUST NOT wear inflatable life-jackets. Clubs are responsible for ensuring that their boats are safe to be put on the water. Any equipment deemed to be unsafe will NOT be permitted to go on the water.

4. If you capsize, the best strategy is to stay with your boat until help arrives – do not attempt to swim to the bank (unless you capsize on or very close to the bank).

5. A safety boat will be sited on the North bank at the midway point of the course at all times. It may be manned by qualified umpires, who would also follow certain races at their discretion. They may be summoned to an accident through any umpire or Regatta Control. The safety boat is in radio contact with the umpires & Regatta Control. The passage of the safety boat takes priority over a race in progress. The umpire may stop a race and/or suspend racing to allow the safety boats to reach an accident.

6. For any other emergencies, not on the water, contact the nearest umpire or Regatta Control. The umpires are all in radio contact with Regatta Control. The Secretary or Safety Adviser will contact the emergency services if required. A mobile phone will be held at Regatta Control for emergency use – the number is 07811 737620.

The other nearest emergency telephone is the public call box on Tyne Green Road, in front of the Tyne Green Café.

If summoning the emergency services, the location is: Hexham Rowing Club Boathouse, Tyne Green, next to the County Bridge.

7. First Aid – members of the local branch of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade will be in attendance at the Regatta all day – they will be located in the main marquee situated between the Hexham Rowing Club Boathouse & the Tyne Green Café.