Safety
The Cape Fear River Rowing Club expects its members to be aware of their surroundings and keep safe rowing in mind while around the boathouse, on the dock, and on the river.
Weather
Weather concerns are an important consideration for the safety of the crew.
- Small boats, singles, and doubles should not launch in wind 10 mph or greater or if the water temperature and the air temperature do not produce a sum greater than 90.
- A coach may launch a larger crew in winds greater than 10 mph or cooler conditions, if the coach is confident that the coxswain and crew can have a safe and effective practice in those conditions.
- If launching in cooler weather, dress in layers and protect sensitive extremities.
- If a crew member goes into cold water, get them to a warm place as soon as possible. (Also, see ‘What to do if Rower goes Overboard’ below)
- If you hear thunder, then lightning is present.
- If a storm is approaching before launch and thunder is heard, then wait 30 minutes. Use that time to look at weather radar and check for storm predictions. Do not launch until you are certain the storm has passed.
- If you are on the water and hear thunder or see lightning, go back to the dock or get to shore and away from the water.
- During the heat of summer, it is important to bring a bottle of water on the row and even have some ice and more water available afterward.
- If a rower experiences extreme heat exhaustion and passes out, call 911.
- A good measure is to apply a cool compression to the back of the neck and place ice packs where available under the armpits and on the groin of each leg.
- This will cool the blood in the large blood vessels and bring down the body temperature.
- Visibility can be impaired by fog or heavy rain. If the island cannot be seen, then visibility is too poor for rowing.
Sharing the Water
We share the water with other CFRRC rowers/boats, pleasure boats, fishing boats, and the State Port’s large boat traffic.
- When scheduling a recreational or independent row (with Club owned or member owned equipment) during a designated Coached group row, please try to stagger launching and docking times so as to not coincide with the group row launching and docking times.
- Large ships cannot alter course for rowers on the water.
- When a large ship is in the path of a rowing crew, it is best to get as close to shore as possible and allow the ship to pass.
- Both single scullers and larger crews are advised to take large wakes parallel to the boat. Sit at the finish of the stroke, with a relaxed grip, and wait for the swell to pass.
- To best share the water with other crews and scullers, always follow the established traffic pattern (see below).
Logging Boats Out
A reservation system is maintained in iCrew for ALL boats in use, whether the boats are privately, or club owned. All boats, club and personal, must be signed out through iCrew when rowing out of CFRRC boathouse and dock. Boats are signed out at time of departure and again logged on return.
Safety on the Dock is as important as in the boat. On the dock the coach, coxswain, or dock master is in charge, NO EXCEPTIONS. Stay quiet at all times that you are carrying boats. Listen and follow all commands.
- Move deliberately and efficiently when on the dock, being mindful of other boats launching and coming back from a row.
- Personal belongings are not the responsibility of the club. Please keep items out of the way of rowers coming and going from the boathouse.
- Valuable items that are not part of the practice should be left at home or in the car. There is limited space to put some items out of sight and there are very few places to lock items up.
- Clean up after yourself. There are waste receptacles available for your use.
- At times the marina will shut off the water for our hose. If this happens and the water is turned back on during clean up, the coach/coxswain/leader in charge of the row shall confirm that the water is turned off.