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<div class="moz-text-flowed" style="font-family: -moz-fixed;
font-size: 14px;" lang="x-unicode">Dear All,
<br>
<br>
(Captains - please forward to / discuss with your coaches)
<br>
<br>
There have been several instances in the last couple of weeks or
so where crews have made some very poor overtakes - particularly
when running late heading downstream to the lock during the
evening changeover period! Most have been without consequence,
some have caused obstruction to oncoming crews though fortunately
I'm not yet aware of one that has caused injury or serious damage.<br>
<br>
I'd like to remind you of the following points:
<br>
<br>
1) The river is NOT a one-way system - irrespective of the time of
day there will probably be other boats travelling in the opposite
direction. Remember that town crews are not bound by lighting
up/down times.<br>
2) In order to overtake another crew, you MUST be able to see
enough of the river to move to the other side, row past and get
back to your side, all the time being CERTAIN that you will not
obstruct any oncoming boats. At this time of year there's a good
chance that that oncoming boat will be a men's 1st VIII at full
chat.
<br>
3) The bankparty has a different point of view to the cox of a
boat - working together you can identify safe overtakes in some
places where the cox alone cannot.<br>
4) You must NOT overtake on a corner. Even if you have worked with
your coach to identify that there's no oncoming traffic, do you
really trust the other crew to steer a perfect line?<br>
5) Coxes - before you move out to overtake, ask yourself whether
you would have time to complete the manouevre if an VIII appeared
in the distance, coming towards you at a normal speed for that
part of the river (e.g. paddling along Riverside, race pace in
Plough Reach). Do you have time to complete your overtake? Can
your coach see more and help you out? Can you safely overtake?
<br>
6) If another crew asks to 'come by', please don't deny them
purely for the sake of ego. If there's a queue ahead, or if you
can see something oncoming that they can't, or you think it's not
a safe choice for some other reason, by all means respond in the
negative.
<br>
<br>
I well understand the desire to overtake a slower boat and get
some clear water to work at your own pace. However, in order to
avoid further clashes/damage, and to optimise traffic flow on the
river, please ensure that you are not taking chances and hoping
that nothing is coming the other way. Likewise, please cooperate
when a faster crew is behind you - don't hog the middle of the
river and give a clear acknowledgement when they ask to 'come by'.
<br>
<br>
I know that many of you cut it fine when heading down to the lock
during the changeover period. However, I'd much prefer to have
people tutting and rolling their eyes because you're there 5
minutes late than to hear about a serious accident. That said, if
you're passing under the railway bridge at 6.57 you really should
turn around and head back upstream rather than treat the reserved
hours with blatant disrespect.<br>
<br>
Coxes - if your coach tells you to go past another crew, and
you're not sure, it's OK to hang back and choose not to pass. You
might miss out on a bit of clear water, but you can talk about it
with your coach later and make a more informed decision next time.
<br>
<br>
Coaches - talk to your coxes about overtaking, especially those
with less experience. Explain that on the approach to some corners
you can see further down the river than they can, and what clear
instructions you'll give as and when you think an overtake is safe
and necessary.
<br>
<br>
<br>
Regards,
<br>
<br>
Mark Jacobs
<br>
CUCBC Safety Advisor
<br>
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