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Dear all,<br>
<br>
This morning there was a collision between two boats queueing at
Chesterton, resulting entirely from poor lookout and judgement,
leading to serious damage to both boats. Luckily, this time, there
were no injuries.<br>
<br>
Please pass on the message to your crews that they must all be
vigilant, and that this applies to rowers as well as coxes. A good
shout from stern pair can help avoid a collision in a queue, and bow
pair looking over their shoulder every 10 strokes or so in key areas
of the river (i.e. Chesterton, where you have no bankparty and a
known queueing spot) may pick up things your cox misses.<br>
<br>
It's also important that your crew can actually stop the boat in an
emergency - something crews on the Cam are very bad at compared to
the rest of the country. There is an excellent video at
<div><a href="http://thamesrc.co.uk/the-club/safety/">http://thamesrc.co.uk/the-club/safety/</a>
listed under 'emergency stop'. All rowers should have their blades
flat on the water and lift the handles firmly together. An VIII at
paddling pace should be able to stop within one length.<br>
<br>
While I'm on the topic of queueing, please try to be aware of boat
movement at Chesterton. The lights will always impose a crossover
point for boats travelling in one direction - therefore while
queueing please try to leave a navigable channel. I appreciate
that in the mornings there can be quite a few boats waiting and
that there isn't necessarily anything to anchor yourselves to.
However, provided that you decisively pick one side or other of
the river as appropriate, and manouevre as necessary to keep
yourselves there, this shouldn't create traffic flow problems.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Mark Jacobs<br>
CUCBC Safety Advisor<br>
<a href="http://thamesrc.co.uk/the-club/safety/"></a></div>
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