Rowing on the Tideway
Club rowing rules
The club's rowing rules must be adhered to by members taking boats out on the water. The rules are set out in a Code of Practice and cover outing procedures (including risk assessment, water and weather conditions), boat check, use of the signing out book, approved steerers and the times when members must obtain the Captain's permission for boat use.
FURNIVALL ROWING CODE OF PRACTICE
Only members named on the clubs 'Approved Steerers List' may steer a boat unaccompanied. Non Approved Steers are permitted to steer club boats (to gain experience) provided they remain within audible distance of an approved steerer who has agreed to remain with the non approved steer for the entire outing.
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL AS AN FSC APPROVED STEERER / SUPERVISOR
General water safety
The British Rowing website holds a wealth of information about rowing, clubs and events. It also has a useful section on a wide range of safety matters including Row Safe: A Guide to Good Practice in Rowing. The further guidance section holds numerous publications from ranging from Capsize Drills to information on Trailer Towing.
BRITISH ROWING SAFETY RESOURCE
Setting out and landing
The diagrams below show the courses when setting off from, and landing at, the club pontoon for incoming and outgoing tides. To avoid the risk of collision it is critical all steerers are familiar with, and adhere to, these courses. Note the diagrams do not mark the yellow buoy situated off the club pontoon. Always cross the river downstream of the yellow buoy.
Tideway navigation
The Thames tideway is a great place to row but the currents caused by the tidal flow and the changes in the river's level due to the tidal height can make conditions challenging. The Port of London Authority (PLA) and Thames Regional Rowing Council (TRRC) have produced a Code of Practice for rowing on the tidal Thames above Putney.
The Code of Practice brings together practical guidance from experienced rowers, the recommendations of recent Risk Assessment and the requirements of local and international regulation. It provides useful guidance for rowers on tideway navigation, the rules of the waterway and helps rowers get the most out of their outings.
The PLA also produces a chart to accompany the Rowing Code.
Navigation rules for rowing boats on the river Thames are not consistent along its length. The current arrangement on the Tideway allows rowers to "work the slacks" to minimise some of the hazards of rowing on a fast flowing tidal river with bridges, moorings and sandbanks.
The TRRC has produced a simple one page pocket guide to Navigation on the Tideway, which summarises the key points in the Tideway Code of Practice.
A4 TIDEWAY NAVIGATION POCKET GUIDE
FOLDABLE TIDEWAY NAVIGATION VERSION
The TRRC website provides important navigational information for Tideway rowers including:
ROWING WHEN THE TIDE IS TURNING
The TRRC also publishes an eight page Introduction to Steering which contains useful information for all Tideway rowers.
INTRODUCTION TO STEERING ON THE TIDEWAY
There is more information on navigating the Tideway on the TRRC WEBSITE
For a presentation including the basics of tideway navigation, the 'rules of the road' and detailed advice on crossing and turning points see
Navigational safety notices
The Port of London Authority is responsible for the management of navigational safety on the tidal River Thames between Teddington and the outer port limits. The PLA publishes 'Notices to Mariners' which give essential, up to date information and advice to all river users from commercial shipping to recreational rowers. Subjects include notification of works and events which may impact on navigation, and notification of new and updated rules and regulations for navigation.
Lights on boats
Lights must be displayed at night and also in restricted visibility such as fog, rain or snow. If the street lights are on then you need lights on the water! The guide below from TRRC provides details of the lights to be used by rowing boats and coaching boats.
The PLA has published a handy guide to lighting and other safety tips for rowing boats and canoes.
