[CUCBC Captains] Danger at Baits Bite

[Tom Davies]

I have been told by Philippa Noon that earlier this week when the river flow
was fast, two eights got into trouble while spinning at Baits Bite Lock, and
as a result, were swept onto the boom. This is clearly unacceptably
dangerous, and should not be allowed to happen.

 

As a result Pippa has asked that crews do not spin any further downstream
than the covered boat docks about 150 metres from the lock, and we can
regard that as a requirement of the Conservancy. 

 

I would also remind all concerned of the existing rules that novice eights
should not be allowed on the river in red or yellow flag conditions, and
that novice crews should not have novice coxes.

 

I will also be initiating discussions about spinning below the Little
Bridge. The problem is that crews spinning upstream of and close to another
boat block the river, and this will increase the chance of the downstream
boats drifting onto the boom because they cannot move. My advice pending
discussions is that in crowded conditions, say, 10 boats or more below the
little bridge, boats should spin in succession at the boat dock, and that
having spun they should move upstream away from the spinning area. As
always, common sense and courtesy should be enough.

 

If the account is accurate, we have had near miss. If we had not been lucky
and we had had a serious accident, the consequences for all of us would have
been severe and nasty.

 

Dr T.W.Davies

CUCBC Safety Advisor

 

 

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