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Coxing Safety

Coxing should be fun. But it is can be dangerous if you are not careful or if you do not understand the rules of the river, just like driving a car can be dangerous. Please make sure that you study these points.

  1. Life jacket. You must always wear a life-jacket when you go out coxing. If the boat that you are coxing is a "bow-loader", ensure that your life jacket is not self inflating.
  2. Check the boat. You and your crew should check that the your boat is in good order before going afloat. Check the rudder, the fin, the heel restraints, the watertight compartments, the stretcher fittings, the riggers, seats and cox box if one is being used (which it always should be in a bow loader).
  3. Sign out. Write your name, the time at which you are boating and the boat that you are using.
  4. Rules of the river. At Derby you should always travel on the right hand side of the river, i.e. with bow side nearest to the bank, and show consideration for the needs of other users.
  5. Shouting a warning. Watch out for other boats and shout a loud warning if you think that they are going to get in your way: "Look ahead!".
  6. Emergency stop. Always be ready to call the command "Hold up hard!" to get your crew to do an emergency stop. It is a good idea to practise this often, just like people do when they are learning to drive.
  7. Give way to overtaking crews. If another rowing crew wants to overtake you then their cox should call to you "May I come by?". You should then move over to the side of the river and call back "Come by!" to let them through.
  8. Keep away from weirs and obstructions. Always make sure that you turn your boat around at least 100m before you get to a weir. When there is a lot of current you need to be even more careful and not go even within 400m of a weir. Also be aware of the submerged island opposite the Silk Mill
  9. Don't cut corners. Because you never know what might be around them.
  10. Meander. When you are travelling in a straight line in a stern-coxed (rear-loading) boat, it can be hard to see what is ahead because the rowers' bodies are in the way. But if you steer a slightly wiggly line you should be able to see anything in your way. You may be questioned about your course, but safety is paramount.
  11. Objects in the water. Watch out for swimmers and dogs. There are also sometimes large logs floating in the Derwent.
  12. Fishermen. They can be very grumpy. Try to keep out of their way and avoid catching their lines. If you do by accident, always apologise.
  13. If the boat overturns. It is extremely rare for a coxed boat to turn over, but if it does happen it will not sink. If a capsize happens, keep your crew together, keep them calm, and remember only the Boat Captain and yourself should give the orders. You should instruct your crew to hold on to the boat and then to swim it over to the bank. At this point you may be able to tip the water out of the boat, get back in and row it back home safely. But if the conditions are too rough, or the boat is too damaged you may need to lift the boat out and send somebody to get help. Ensure people keep moving so that they don't get cold. YOU AND YOUR CREW ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY EQUIPMENT.
  14. Floods. Only experienced crews are permitted on the river when the stream is strong. If there are less than 4 wooden steps showing, then only experienced crews are permitted to boat. If there are less than 3 wooden steps showing then NO ONE may boat. Remember that the stream will sweep you onto navigational hazards such as projecting trees and bends much more quickly. Allow substantially more distance in which to take action. In particular remember that the stream increases as one gets closer to the weir and in no circumstances go within 400m of the weir. In these conditions it is advisable to turn just below St Mary's Bridge, well before the island.
  15. Warm clothing. During winter wear lots of layers, rather than a few thick layers - you can get very cold. Ensure that the top layer is water resistant.
  16. Rowing in the dark. Don't go out after dark unless you are experienced and have the correct lights, which is white at the bow and red at the rear. If you attach the lights to riggers, then you should have red and white lights on both sides of the boat.
  17. Remember to sign in again. We don't want to have to send out search parties!
  18. All coxes must read the ARA Water Safety Code, a copy of which is kept at the club.

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