Safety

Globe RC Navigation Videos

Please note: Globe RC custom and practice, not PLA regulations

Flood Tide Navigation

Ebb Tide Navigation

New Rules - Incident Reporting

The ARA has changed the way for how we report incidents and accidents to an online system. Please click on the button below to read the document - reporting is really important for keeping the river safe for us

and everyone else.

Globe R.C. Water Safety & Notes For Club Members

The Port of London is the UK's largest port within the region of 27,000 ship movements each year. There is also enormous potential for recreation and the Port of London Authority is keen to encourage greater use of the Thames.

London VTS (Area - Upriver of Crayfordness, including Barrier Control Zone²)

VHF Channels 14¹, 16 and 22.

Radar Coverage Crayfordness to Greenwich

Tidal Information For Woolwich (Silverton), Tower Pier.

Telephone 0208 855 0315

1. Water Safety

The tidal Thames at Greenwich is a safe river only for those who know what they are doing and stick to the rules. The Amateur Rowing Association publishes a general Code of Practice for Water Safety, and there is in addition our own local Code of Practice. You should make yourself familiar with both of these guides as soon as possible. There are copies in the clubhouse, and any committee member or experienced club rower will be happy to explain the main points to you. The fundamental common sense rules are:

ALL COXSWAINS MUST WEAR AN APPROVED LIFEJACKET

OR BUOYANCY AID.

Never go on to the River without at least two experienced rowers in the boat (four for an Eight), or a safety launch in attendance.

Never go on to the River in dubious wind or water conditions. If the Safety Officer or other senior member of the Committee decides that conditions are too dangerous, you must abide by that decision.

Be aware of the times of high and low water before you go out.

Make sure that you check all your equipment before you go on to the River, and that both crew and coxswain are wearing appropriate clothing for the conditions.

Make sure that somebody in authority knows that you are going out, and when you intend to return.

Adhere at all times to the safe rowing courses that are mapped out on the poster in the Clubhouse.

Pay attention to experienced rowers, and be ready to accept advice.

Any accident or close call, no matter how trivial, must be recorded in the Incident log situated in the Rowing Centre.

2. Equipment

Rowing equipment, new or old, is expensive to replace or repair, and you should take good care of any equipment given to you to use. Before you go out, check that seats, stretchers, rudder, rudder lines, fin, canvas, bungs and gates are all in order. If there is damage to any equipment that cannot immediately and easily be fixed, don't use it! Report the problem to a member of the Committee as soon as possible. Similarly, if any damage is caused while you are using the equipment, repair it if you can do so properly, but in any case report it to a member of the Committee and enter it in the Damage Log. If you have to leave equipment in a damaged state, make sure it is clearly marked to warn other club members.

3. Rowing, training and health

You don't need to be super-fit to enjoy rowing, but you do need basic fitness and flexibility - particularly the latter. We suggest that you do some training at least three times a week: running is good for all-round fitness, exercise circuits are good for strength and cardiovascular fitness, and the ergometer is excellent for cardiovascular and muscular endurance, as well as being based on the rowing action. Most of all make sure that you warm-up thoroughly and stretch before training and rowing: you will avoid injury and enjoy the session more. Equally important is to stretch AFTER a session, as this will reduce aches and pains. If you have any doubt about your fitness for rowing, or you are returning to active sport after a period of inactivity, or you have any medical condition that may cast doubt on your ability to participate safely (eg heart condition, epilepsy, asthma - the list is not inclusive), then consult your medical practitioner BEFORE taking part. If you need to take any medication for the relief of any condition such as asthma, ensure that you take it with you in the boat, and that other people in the boat are aware of this. This is for their safety, as well as your own. DO NOT indulge in active sport when suffering from or immediately following 'flu or other fevers.

Incident Reporting