Wallingford Regatta Safety Plan (2008)

Regatta Safety

This Safety Plan has been formulated to enable the Wallingford Regatta Organising Committee's responsibilities to be met, taking due account of advice from the Amateur Rowing Association, the Dorney Regatta Centre, the Environment Agency and other interested parties such as the Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service.

The 2000m course layout in regard to lanes in use for racing, and circulation patterns for other lanes has been inspected and agreed by Dorney Lake Services Ltd.

Regatta Safety Adviser

The Regatta Organising Committee has appointed Ted Bowler as Regatta Safety Adviser in accordance with ARA Rule of Racing 2-1-2 and the ARA Water Safety Code 2.7. He is a full member of the organising committee and has produced this document and the updated 2008 Regatta risk assessment.

Regatta Race Committee

The Regatta Organising Committee has appointed Richard Packer as the Chairman of the Race Committee who will undertake the duties detailed in ARA Rules 2-1-3 and 2-1-4 and appoint a Race Committee comprising at least three licensed umpires.

In accordance with ARA Rules of Racing 2-2-2, the Safety Adviser and the Chairman of the Race Committee shall monitor water conditions throughout the period of the Regatta. If at any time either finds that conditions jeopardise the requirements of safety or of fair racing as outlined in Rule 2-1-1, they shall stop or suspend racing, in total or by class of event, until such time as safe and fair conditions are restored.

If time permits, they should consult with each other, with the rest of the Race Committee and with the Organising Committee on the situation before taking action and before resuming racing after an enforced break.

Any of the Key Race Officials (Rule 2-1-5) associated with a particular race, may and should halt racing if safety or fairness is compromised, and should involve the Safety Adviser and the Chairman of the Race Committee as soon as possible.

ARA Water Safety Code (WSC)

It is compulsory that all crews attending Wallingford Regatta comply fully with the ARA's current rules of racing in regard to safety (rules 2-2-1 to 2-2-5 inclusive) and all aspects of the WSC.

All club / crew coaches are to ensure that their crews are correctly briefed on the WSC in particular in relation to capsize procedures for scullers.

ARA Umpires will randomly inspect boats for safety related compliance, including that boats fitted with hatch covers must have these in place and correctly fitted.

No boats will be allowed on the water if they fail a safety inspection, and in coxed boats coxes must be appropriately dressed and wearing an appropriate life jacket.

Off Water Safety Cover

Dr T Cadoux-Hudson & Dr E Hodson have agreed to act as Honorary Regatta Medical Officers on rotation during the day. 1st Aid facilities are provided byAlpha Care with staff and facilities close to both the enclosure and the boating area.

On Water Safety Cover

Brent Lifeguards are in attendance with 4 fully equipped safety boats (3 in the main lake and 1 in the return lane near the bridges) and they are provided with radios on the Regatta's network. Additional safety equipment as specified by the WSC will be carried by each Umpire’s launch.

Accidents and Emergencies: 

The Regatta has a network of radios spread along the course, so any Regatta official observing a safety related incident must report it immediately by the nearest available radio link to the Safety Adviser, failing that to the Co-ordinating Umpire.

The Safety Adviser or Co-ordinating Umpire may assume control of the incident or delegate to the on site Official. Radio silence may be called for except from those involved in dealing with the incident to allow summoning of additional help if required. Racing may be suspended if an incident has occurred anywhere on the course.

The Safety Adviser or Co-ordinating Umpire will also initiate any "999" call by mobile phone should the incident require assistance beyond the scope of that available on the Regatta site.

All radio users will be advised when conditions return to normal.

Regatta Incidents

A Regatta Incident Book is held by the Regatta Duty Controller in the Committee tent. All safety-related incidents, including "near misses" must be recorded in this book.

Distribution of Data

All competing clubs, Umpires and Race Officials will receive a copy of this Safety Plan, a set of Competitor’s Instructions, in addition to these documents being available on this website.

Umpires, Launch drivers & Safety Crews will receive a race day umpire rota, which includes all Umpire mobile phone numbers, radio protocol sheet & any other relevant information prior to the event.

Emergencies for Storms and Lightning

Please see separate procedure and diagram.