PRC Member Handbook: Boathouse Regulations

Common Sense

The PRC policies cover many areas of safety and many house rules, however the MC expects everyone – Members, Coaches, Staff, Guests, Juniors and Adults, Rowers, scullers, and coxswains alike – to use Common Sense in applying safety procedures and rules in situations that are not covered, or if needed, to recommend alterations to these policies when safer and better solutions arise.

Know yourself, those with whom you row, and the conditions;
Be observant of all conditions, especially weather/water conditions;
If in doubt about whether or not something is safe, it probably isn’t;
Be aware of the risks at all times, be observant of changing conditions, consider the state of the equipment and know yours and your crew’s ability;
Follow the rules about lighting and safety on the water and in the boathouse;
Know necessary phone numbers (911), and the location of University Hospital;
Following safety rules and proper procedures can increase the chances that if anything does go wrong, it will be more of an inconvenience than a disaster.

The PRC has implemented the following policies to help Members, Coaches and Staff make informed decisions and better ensure the safe practice of our sport and the use of our building.

Safety

The first priority of every member, employee, coach, athlete and crew is the safety of all persons on the water and on land. The second priority of every member, employee, coach, athlete and crew is the safety and maintenance of all rowing equipment. The third priority of every member, employee, coach, athlete and crew is the safety and maintenance of the PRC building and its equipment. Failure to follow PRC Safety policies can be grounds for suspension of member priviledges or expulsion.

Clothing: It is recommended that all scullers and at least the bowman in team boats wear light-colored, highly visible tops or jackets to improve visibility by other rowers/boaters on the water. High visibility yellow wind jackets or fluorescent cycling or crossing-guard vests are an option for early morning or late evening rows.
Bow Balls: Every boat must have a firmly attached ball of not less than 4 cm (1.5 inches) diameter on its bow. Where the construction or nature of the boat is such that the bow is properly protected or its shape does not represent a hazard then this requirement need not apply.

Heel Restraints: Heel restraints and “quick-release” mechanisms must be in proper and effective working order in all boats equipped with fitted shoes. These restraints should not allow the heel to lift more than 5cm (2 inches).
Buoyancy: Bow and stern compartments must function as individual buoyancy compartments and must be checked annually to ensure that they will function as intended. Boats should meet minimum flotation requirements sufficient to support a swamped boat and its crew, with the top of the seats being no more than 5 cm below the surface of the static waterline.

Lighting:

All boats rowing out of the PRC should have Coast Guard approved lighting when operating before sunrise or 1 hour before sunset.

Lights are required for all club boats (including launches) that are launched before sunrise or plan to dock after sunset. Lighting should consist of a bow light (red/green) and a stern light (white). (The PRC does not provide lights for its club boats -- these must be provided by the members/programs using the boats.) Operating without Coast Guard approved lighting represents gross negligence on the part of the rowers and coaches involved, and may lead to suspension of privileges or expulsion from the PRC.
Coast Guard approved navigational lighting includes a combination or separate bright red and green sidelights mounted at the bow of the boat and visible for at least one (1) nautical mile from the side of the boat, and a bright white light mounted at the stern and visible for at least one (1) nautical mile for 360° around the boat or at least from the sides or behind the boat.
Inadequate lighting including weak or poor batteries, or missing or broken lights represents one of the most significant safety concerns in the waterway. People without adequate lighting are a problem for other boats on the waterway that may be properly illuminated. Poor or no lighting can result in severe injuries and even death for people involved in a collision, not to mention property damage to boats and equipment. Different boathouses have different rules, but Coast Guard and State DOT rules provide for fines of between several hundred and several thousand dollars for violations.
If lighting fails or becomes lost or disabled during a turn-out, the boat should immediately return to its boathouse and replace/repair the lighting.
Coaching launches operating in low or no light periods should carry spotlights sufficient to illuminate hazards at 80-100 yards in front of shells in a turnout, with power supplies that are sufficient to last for the duration of a turnout.
Failure to follow the On the Water House Rules and Lighting Rules can be grounds for discipline including forfeiture of rack space, suspension of member's privileges or expulsion from Membership in the PRC.

Traffic Patterns: All rowers launching from the George Pocock Rowing Center must follow the traffic patterns in the Lake Washington/Ship Canal waterway. A detailed description of the general rules and guidelines for waterway traffic can be found below. Failure to follow the On the Water House Rules and Waterway Traffic patterns can be grounds for discipline including suspension of member's privileges or expulsion.
Bad Weather: All PRC programs will take place as scheduled (indoors if necessary) regardless of the weather conditions outside. Unsafe conditions may include dangerously high winds, lightning storms, or other similar situations. Because weather patterns which may affect rowing safety are unpredictable and subject to sudden change, the decision to go on the water will not be made until the actual scheduled start time of the session.
Four Oar Rule: During particularly cold weather the Director or the chair of the MC may invoke the "4-oar rule" without warning. Invocation of the 4-oar rule means that NO PRC club 1x or 2- should LAUNCH FROM the PRC until the 4-oar rule is rescinded. It applies to PRC boats and is highly recommended to private boats. We have doubles, fours, quads, and eights to get you through the cold weather. The rule is in effect when the 4-oar Card is placed in the window of the 3 exterior man doors, the door from the 2nd floor to the boat bays, and on the bay door window adjacent to the log-book. Violation of the 4-oar rule can result in suspension of rowing privileges. If and when the weather warms up, the Director et al will consider removing the restriction. This is a rule instituted for our membership's safety. We have a large exercise room with ergs, bikes, weights, and land-training classes to keep our members fit during these brief interludes when it is not safe to row. Give thanks that you live in Seattle and not Boston.
Buddies: It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that ALL boats not accompanied by launches go out with 'buddies' – i.e. another boat of comparable speed, and that the buddies remain together throughout the workout.

Boat Handling

Prior to taking out a boat members must demonstrate a thorough understanding of boat handling rules and boathouse etiquette to a coach or appropriate office staff member via successful completion of the" club boat use test" found here.
Before taking any club boat out:

Be qualified to take out or row in the boat in question;
Make sure the boat you're taking out is indeed a club boat and not a member's private boat (ask someone if you're not sure).
Check the Reservation Log make sure someone else doesn't have that boat reserved for that time or to see when the next reservation is so you can have the boat back to the boathouse in time.
Check to ensure that there is not a "No Row" tag on the boat;
Visually inspect the boat for signs of damage or wear which need repair -- don't take a boat out if it may need repair, and if you find unreported damage, write up a note on the boat maintenance white board outside of the office;
Verify that you have proper lighting in good working order if you will be on the water before sunrise or after sunset. Proper lighting at a minimum includes red and green bow lights and a white stern light;
Lighting should be affixed to the boat, tested, and confirmed to be in good working order before embarking on a row when lighting is required;
Verify that you are properly clothed and prepared (safety whistle, etc.) for the conditions;
Loosen stretchers and prepare yourself and the boat for a quick, efficient launch so as not to impede the progress of others wishing to go out. Be considerate, and PLAN to get on and off the dock quickly;
Sign the boat out in the Boat Logbook. (Private boats must also be logged out and in)

Traffic and Waterway Patterns

Above is the waterway pattern for rowing around the Pocock Rowing Center. More indepth details include race courses and rowing pattern specifics can be found in our Seattle Waterway Traffic Flow pdf. We highly recommend reading this file for anyone rowing on the waters surrounding the PRC.

Next Section -->

The Entire Handbook is also available via .pdf.