NOTES to the TIDEWAY CODE of PRACTICE for REGATTAS GENERAL CONDITIONS 1. This code is additional to and in no way replaces any requirements laid down by the ARA, TRRC and PLA regarding the conduct of regattas. These requirements may include specific restrictions within the rules of racing, for example whether an event is private, invitation or open. PLA requirements will include written approval to their timetable and specification and may include a ‘Notice to Mariners’. TRRC requirements include approval by TWSA at least one month before the event. Private matches and invitation events are subject to this code unless TRRC Executive specifies otherwise. For example there are less than four clubs involved. 2. Events are required to have reached agreement with the TRRC Executive, or their nominated representative(s) of how they propose to comply with this code before issuing timetable and draw information to their competitors. For 2007 the nominated representative remains Stan Collingwood [davesc@blueyonder.co.uk; 020 8898 9228]. It would be helpful if events could supply this information as early as possible. NAVIGATION 3. The main navigation channel (the fairway) shall remain open at all times during a regatta Regattas must not impede the free passage of other craft at any time. They may ask for the co-operation of other users to assist the smooth running of their event but all craft not involved directly with an event are under no obligation to do so, although all vessels are subject to the navigation rules. Regattas should be particularly mindful of the needs of commercial craft but also of other recreational users. They should be mindful at all times of the competence of other users particularly those in other rowing boats or canoes. Regattas should be particularly mindful that Class V vessels and other powered craft may be restricted in where they can navigate at certain states of the tide. They should also be aware that some other craft, for example narrow boats, may not be familiar with the water nor easy to steer or manoeuvre on the Tideway. Regattas should take particular care that any moored marshalling boats do not impede the fairway as the state of the tide changes. All launches afloat that are part of the event must at all times comply with this requirement. This places an onerous responsibility upon all those in charge of launches whether Umpires, Marshalls or safety boats. 4. All crews participating in the event must obey the starboard hand rule including during racing.
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NOTES to the TIDEWAY CODE of PRACTICE for REGATTAS Where there are no other craft on the course during a race then Umpires may use their discretion regarding a competitor’s proper course. However this concession only applies in these particular circumstances and the general statement applies particularly where there is sufficient width of water and/or fairway to maintain fair racing within a starboard channel. Umpires may decide that a race cannot fairly continue due to the presence of other craft obeying the starboard hand rule. Umpires must not assume that their presence gives them any licence to vary the starboard hand rule when there are any other craft on a particular course during a race under their control. Particular care is needed with lower status crews where the umpire may be following a race a considerable distance behind the leading competitor due to their substantial lead. Regattas may consider introducing local rules relating to sanctions against competitors who do not comply with the starboard hand rule in these circumstances. The TRRC disciplinary code is NOT suspended for the duration of a regatta. Further clarification regarding the interaction between the rules of racing and the operation of this code is being sought. Regattas may confine themselves for the time being to reporting breaches of the disciplinary code in the usual way. Unfamiliarity with the Tideway or incompetent steering is not an acceptable excuse for not following the starboard hand rule. Events must ensure that ALL competitors are familiar with the requirements of the PLA code. Suitably knowledgeable locals should be available throughout the event to brief these competitors as necessary. MARSHALLING AND CONDUCT OF RACING 5. Events using the same stretch of water or course to have the same circulation pattern, marshalling and instructions to competitors and officials. This is the expectation of the PLA, TRRC and competitors. Individual events may choose to operate and control racing in different ways and present this information to competitors and officials in individual formats, layouts and words but the overall look and feel of the events should be the same to those not directly connected with organising it . The intention is not to impose rigid uniformity to individual events any more than is the case, for example with the larger Tideway Heads or at different events held at the same multi-lane venue but to ensure a consistency of approach and behaviour for other users, statutory and governing bodies and, most importantly for competitor and coaches. 6. Crews will only be marshalled in areas designated for ‘working the slacks’. There are circumstances where specific approval may be given to vary the code at a particular place for a particular event. However where a concession is granted it is for a specific event only and will need to be
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NOTES to the TIDEWAY CODE of PRACTICE for REGATTAS applied for every time it is required. It is likely that any such concession will need to be advertised to other users via a PLA ‘Notice to Mariners’. Regattas must therefore take particular care when marshalling crews not to allow them to stray into ‘no stopping zones’ or crossing areas. The Marshalling zones in a particular place may vary depending upon the state of the tide. 7. All events shall have lookouts posted above and below their courses throughout their racing equipped with radios to warn of, and to alert, approaching traffic. This is just common sense. It will allow other craft to be alerted that there is a regatta in progress but also reduce the likelihood of crews racing and other craft being on the same water at the same time. 8. All Umpires and other launches involved in the racing to be equipped with radios with a designated and manned regatta control point. The intention here is that all movement of racing boats is controlled at all times whether making their way to the marshalling area, preparing to race, racing or recovering and returning to their boating area [whilst in the regatta area]. At all times it is important that Regatta Control is exactly that – in CONTROL of the racing. It is not appropriate to be prescriptive how this is achieved as individual events will arrive at their own appropriate way of controlling racing and the movement of competitor’ boats on their water. The important point is that the Regatta shall be ‘in control’ of their event throughout their entire racing programme. Regatta Control should be under the command of the Chairman of the Race Committee or a suitably qualified deputy. It should be the expectation of all Officials on duty that Regatta Control is the decision point for the event. This, of course, excludes the circumstances where a decision rightfully lies with another licensed official, for example an Umpire, Starter or Judge. Regatta Control is to have a radio tuned to the marine channel at all times. This channel is to be monitored and used to assist the event and other river users in maintaining the navigation with the minimum of disruption to all users. [THIS REQUIREMENT PENDED UNTIL TRRC HAS A MARINE BAND RADIO AVAILABLE] It is suggested that this set should be based with Regatta control. It will provide effective communication between the event and the Harbourmaster afloat. It will also alert the event to any unusual river movements, for example the imminent arrival of the lifeboat at high speed with its lights flashing. Communication should be possible with other boats on the river, for example the infamous ‘gin palaces’. 9. All races must be two abreast.
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NOTES to the TIDEWAY CODE of PRACTICE for REGATTAS The PLA Code does not permit crews to race more than two abreast. The TRRC concurs with this approach. This is a change from traditional practice. it is recognised that at certain states of the tide events consider that three abreast racing would be safe and fair. However the PLA and TRRC have undertaken to review this decision annually. The TRRC Executive current view is that no consideration should be given to relaxing this position until there has been a season when all the ARA Tideway regattas have successfully operated within the code. Their view is that this issue should be considered for all the events together rather than in a piecemeal way for individual regattas. Crews must be positioned in the fairway at the start so that they can race within the requirements of the starboard hand rule. The Officials at the Start and Race Umpires have a particular responsibility here. Traditionally competitors have been allowed to position themselves on the fairway, particularly towards the top of the tide. However it is now vital that Umpires ensure that crews line up in such a way that they will be able to set an appropriate course to meet this requirement. To achieve this where there is a strong stream or a cross wind it may be necessary to position a launch behind the start of a race as well as having a starter alongside r 10. Racing crews to be escorted at all times including those rowing over. Only by having an Umpire escort a crew rowing over can a regatta be sure that a crew rowing over is in the correct place on the fairway. This requirement applies irrespective of the status of the crew, the boat type or whether they are a Tideway based entry. This is particularly important at the end of a race where the Umpire should remain in attendance until the crews have recovered and left the fairway. This may mean escorting tired crews through bridges and encouraging them to turn into the bank away from the ‘no stopping zones’ before returning to the start. Where crews are separated by a substantial distance at the end of a race Umpires should remain in attendance until they are satisfied that both competitors are in a safe place and sufficiently recovered to be in full control of their craft. Where there is doubt they may decide to invite a safety escort to replace them. Umpires should be alert at all times to the positioning of all craft present on the regatta course, whether or not they are competing, and should provide advice and guidance as necessary. 11. Competitors and officials to be thoroughly briefed before going afloat. Events must not assume that experienced Tideway officials do not need to be thoroughly briefed before starting their first duty of the day. Race Committee Chairs will usually do this and should ensure that all officials are thoroughly briefed before starting work however late in the event their begin working.
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NOTES to the TIDEWAY CODE of PRACTICE for REGATTAS It is particularly important that officials are aware of any issues and problems of the day and the prevailing conditions relevant to the weather and tides. Race Committee Chairs should regularly update all Officials of any changes during the day particularly when there is a turn of the tide. 12. A nominated official to be in change at the start to assist competitors and officials in complying in a consistent way with this code. The Start should be controlled by a suitably qualified Official[ The Start Controller]. It is recommended that this is a licensed Umpire fully conversant with the location and prevailing conditions at the event. They may be assisted by other Marshalls. The Start Controller will control boat movement in the start area, interpret information regarding other traffic on the river and decide when it is safe for races to be started. They will be best placed to allocate races to Umpires on duty and make any other adjustments to the arrangements as conditions change. They will be in constant communication with the Regatta Control. Events will need to decide how the communications between start, course end look outs and regatta control should be managed and what the decision protocols between them should be. It is not considered safe or acceptable to manage this communication by exception; rather there should be a positive decision to proceed with each race once it has been established that the course is clear. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS 13. Specific requirements relating to a particular course or location, to be agreed with individual events. Specific requirements will exclude these common assumptions that are not specified in this code but are generally accepted as good practice at Tideway events. All racing will be with the tide or stream Appropriate account to be taken of the turn of the tide to avoid racing at slack water All races to have free starts The Start & finish of the course to be clearly marked Crews being marshalled should be kept in single file to allow others to pass by Marshalling crews must stay out of the fairway and inside buoys
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