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Safety Presentation

(Update) June 2013

Safety is Everyone's Responsibility!

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2013 ACBA Update: M Street Road Construction Travelling to and from Boathouse

Work will continue through 2014

Parking lanes along M Street have been eliminated, as have the sidewalk and bike lane.

Much construction is going on and the narrow road has become even more narrow.

Remember there are construction crews in this area. Cars must share the road with bicyclists and joggers.

FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT EVERYONE OBSERVE THE SPEED LIMIT ON

M STREET.  SLOW DOWN!

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2013 ACBA Water Traffic Reminders

Please take necessary steps to reduce Launch Wakes.

Rowing shells and paddling boats should stay at least 20 feet away from the marinas at all times.

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Launching and Landing – Direction of Travel

Always launch and land in the DOWNSTREAM direction (Bow ball facing the Pennsylvania Ave Bridge)

Incoming (docking) crews have the right of way over launching crews

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Pennsylvania Ave. Bridge

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11th Street Bridge Traffic Patterns

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Downstream Traffic:

Arches 1 & 4: DO NOT USE

Use Arches 2 & 3

Upstream Traffic:Arches 4 & 5: DO NOT USEUse Arches 6 & 7Arch 8: Shallow – DO NOT USE

South Capital St. Bridge

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Navigating thru Bob Day Bay

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Center Arch

Downstream

Upstream

Sandbar After 11th St. Bridge

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Sandbars

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Extremely Low Tide Events

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ClothingCold Weather Clothing:

Layer One: Wicking

Layer Two: Insulation 

Layer Three: Protection From Wind and Water 

The Extremities – Feet, Hands and Head 

Hot Weather Clothing Light colored clothing helps reflect

sun from your skin.

Synthetic fabrics are good (such as CoolMax or Dri-Fit) as they are designed to wick moisture away from your skin so cooling evaporation can occur.

Use a hat with visor and wear shades to protect eyes from damaging sun rays.

This is good information for both rowers and coxswains!

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Before You Leave the Dock – Minimum Requirements

Crews/ Scullers All AM/PM boats must turn on non-blinking lights: Red/Green Light for the

bow White light for the stern

Check oarlocks, riggers, seats, etc… to avoid repairs on the water

All boats shall carry a noise maker/whistle

Scullers – sign out in Logbook

Coaches All coaches must wear a life

vest All launches shall have

required navigation lights All launches must have a

Kippy Bag, a paddle, noise maker/whistle and a tossy boat cushion

All coaches shall have a charged cell phone with pre-programmed emergency phone numbers

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Launching and Landing – General Dock Rules

Launching Minimize your time on the dock

Do not leave your shoes on the dock

Before launching, sweep oars are to be stored up by the blacktop/fence area

Boats shove off while moving in the downstream direction

Use the downstream section of the dock for launching

Landing Boats approach the dock for

landing while moving downstream

Scullers may leave oars parallel to the land edge of the dock while moving the scull to and from the water

Help each other out….catch a boat if you see one landing

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Sandbars, Emergency Docking Locations & Navigation Tips

• Stay to your starboard shore side – but remember not to follow the shoreline. Pick a point.

• Veer from starboard land to avoid sandbars or

other obstacles – after checking carefully for oncoming traffic.

• Right of way traffic goes to less maneuverable boats.

• Scullers must yield to eights and fours.

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Scullers

Sign-in and sign-out every time you row Any issues – record in Log Follow all of the rules and regulations of the CRC Safety

Manual and the Small Boats Program Policy Manual

http://www.capitalrowing.org/crc/

For more information go to: Resource Library

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To Narnia: Railroad Bridge

Enter & Exit Narnia through here

Do not enter or exit Narnia through here

Use Caution!

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Travelling Up River – “To Narnia”

Be Alert!! Many crews practice upriver out of the Blandensburg boathouse.

Not advisable to take big boats upriver above the railroad bridge

River is narrow and shallow making turns difficult

Well charged lights are a MUST! There is little to no reflective light above the railroad bridge.

Wear reflective and light colored clothing

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10 TIPS FOR ROWERS WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN THE COXSWAIN SEAT

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1) Know the Anacostia River’s traffic pattern and proper arch usage. Stay out of the middle of the river.

2) Check the power on your cox box and test it with the microphone before launching the boat from the dock.

3) Always bring the required equipment (whistle, lanyard with attached tools and glow stick).

4) Turn the boat lights on before leaving the dock. AM/PM Rule of Thumb:

1. Light in the afternoon when launching but returning when its dark – turn on lights! 2. Dark when launching but light when returning – turn on lights!

5) Understand the coaching practice instructions and establish a place to wait for your coach.

10 TIPS Coxswain Guide

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6) TURNING THE BOAT:

Hold the rudder line with both handsRight hand turn = Right hand moves forwardLeft hand turn = Left hand moves forwardTurn adjustments should be very slightDramatic use of the rudder line leads to poor steering

7) STEER FIRST, TALK SECOND:

Safe steering is of the utmost importance. Once you are successful with your steering, then you may talk to and encourage your crew.

8) HEADS UP - EYES FORWARD - EARS OPEN.

Always be on the look-out for other boat traffic. Don’t forget to look behind you. Ask your stroke or bow seat to alert you to boat traffic approaching from behind your vessel.

10 TIPS Coxswain Guide

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9) Communicating to your Crew:

Be clear. Speak firmly. Confirm the crew can hear you and are ready to execute your command.

10) If you don’t know what to do, ASK!

Always put the safety of your crew and boat first.

Have Fun &Be Safe!!

10 TIPS Coxswain Guide

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Oops!

Use life jackets or shoes to elevate your body if you don’t fit into a coxswain seat.

DO NOT use the coaches square "tossy" as they are required to be in the launch for safety!

Do NOT sit on the boat deck!

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Boat Lifts

1. Review the Boat Lift Review Guide

2. Boat lifts must be used under Coaches supervision for all inexperienced club members!

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Coxswain Equipment

Training of members in the use and care of the coxswain equipment is the responsibility of the Coach and Program Representative.

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Around the Boathouse

Help keep the facility and docks clean First Aid Kit is located in the erg room Keep the area in front of the cages clear Fire extinguishers located throughout both tents Park in the spaces as marked in the parking lot If the lot is full, park outside of the gate

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Securing the Boathouse Facility

Keep your valuables locked in your car

Turn off all lights, fans and/or heat lamps

Lock the Cage and the Gas Locker

If you are the last one out, lock all DOORS, BAYS, and GATES when leaving

If suspicious persons or activity is occurring on the premises, CALL 911

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USRowing Safety Video