TRRA Safety Rules

Meet at least once per year to review Safety matters
Recommend any Rules/Guideline changes once per year
Respond to requests by TRRA administration for assistance in interpreting rules, assessing penalties and the like

TRRA Administration shall be responsible for:

· holding a spring and fall seasonal safety meeting with mandatory attendance by coaches and crew leaders, scullers, coxswains

holding a Safe Boating Course once a year
holding a Coxswains' Training and a Steerers’ meeting once a year

· responding to breaches of the Rules and Guidelines or other unsafe practices as set out in the Rules

· Maintaining and posting as appropriate, listings of crew leaders and certified scullers

· Alert Safety Committee to reported incidents as necessary

back to top

SECTION 1 SAFETY RULES

1.1 Go/No Go Decisions back to top

Rule 1.1.1 When the docks are closed, no member of TRRA or of any affiliated group or any individual may launch any type of boat.

Rule 1.1.2 All rowers and paddlers must abide by the provisions of the published safety matrix, which represents minimum acceptable standards for water temperature and flow for safe rowing and paddling conditions.

Rule 1.1.3 TRRA owned equipment may not be taken to other river launching locations to avoid these guidelines

TRRA docks are available for the purpose of launching boats unless they have been closed by the Executive Director. When closing the docks, the Executive Director shall take under consideration criteria affecting boating safety as specified by the Board. When the docks are closed, no boats may be launched from TRRA by any user or individual. When the docks are closed, they shall remain closed until 5:30 AM the following day unless the Director has opened them.

When the docks are open, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe to row or paddle. It is the responsibility of every rower, paddler, coxswain, steersperson, coach, and crew leader to assess all the conditions, including weather, which may affect safety and to act in a manner consistent with the Rules and Guidelines of TRRA (including the Safety Matrix), US Rowing, and USACK.

The safety matrix, included as Appendix A, may be updated and adjusted from time to time. The most current version will be posted on-line and in both boathouses. The safety matrix does not cover all conditions relevant to safety, and each rower, paddler, or coach is responsible to assess all conditions and decide whether, even if permitted by the Matrix, it is advisable to launch.

1.2 Traffic Patterns back to top

Rule 1.2.1 All watercraft must be in compliance with the relevant boating regulations including General Marine Right of Way as promulgated by the PA Fish and Boat Commission and other agencies.

Rule 1.2.2 All TRRA boats should comply with the posted TRRA traffic patterns. Any boat not complying with the posted traffic patterns must yield right of way to boats in the pattern, except in the case of emergency.

Rule 1.2.3 Boats traveling in the channel may not do slow drills, such as pick drills, if there are other boats behind.

General Marine Rules of Right of Way

· Vessels with the least maneuverability have right-of-way, but should be cautious and take action to avoid all other types of boats.

· Non-powered boats have right of way over powered boats

· Barges, have very limited maneuverability, so that they always have right of way over rowing shells, kayaks, or dragon boats. Also, barge pilots cannot see small craft easily and their radar will not pick up rowing shells, kayaks, or dragon boats. Be aware that there is a significant 'blind spot' (the line of sight from the pilot house to beyond the front-most barge) in front of a barge. When in doubt, always yield the right-of-way.

· Powered boats such as launches must be operated at a rate of speed that will not endanger the life or property of any person. Power boats must maintain a slow, minimum height swell speed when operated within 100 feet of the shoreline, floats, docks, launch ramps, swimmers, downed skiers, anchored, moored or drifting boats, or in areas marked with 'Slow - No wake' buoys. You may wish to take the bow number (PA registration) of any boat violating these rules and report the incident to TRRA or the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

River Buoys

· River buoys generally mark the navigation channel for larger commercial traffic

· Striking buoys, particularly in combination with fast current, is a significant safety hazard and is likely to cause serious equipment damage. Care must be taken by all persons responsible for course to locate the buoys well in advance of reaching them and planning safe passage past them.

· Only two buoys, the one near the Millvale Marina (first green one upstream above the 40^th St Bridge) and the one near Etna (third green one upstream), actually mark areas that are stream outlets and shallow enough to be of concern to our rowers, paddlers, and launches. In all other cases, including the second (or middle) green buoy above the 40^th Street Bridge, the preferred and safest course is to the shore side of the buoys, outside of the navigation channel.

Traffic Patterns at TRRA Docks

· Launch and land with bow upstream

· Before launching and after landing, place all oars clear of the dock

· After launching, paddle upstream under the railroad bridge in the back channel before turning to face downstream When launching kayaks and dragon boats from Millvale, paddle upstream to at least the shore pavilion before turning downstream, or cutting over to the main channel of the river.

· Incoming (docking)boats have right of way over launching boats

· When launching and docking, always use the most upstream section of available dock space and walk the boat up as space opens up.

· Boats may not turn in front of or between the docks, unless there is no other traffic

· When other crews are waiting for dock space, tie in and adjust foot stretchers on the water

· Dragon boats should not send the boat’s bow or stern out into the channel to take the boat out of the water unless there is no other channel traffic.

Traffic Patterns in the Back Channel

· Keep to the right hand side (from the coxswain's or paddlers’ perspective) of the channel, the starboard side of the channel.

· Exit back channel as quickly as possible (e.g. avoid drills that use less than all rowers at full slide until out of channel, especially if there are boats following)

· Observe right of way

· Power pieces are only allowed downstream of 31st Street Bridge.

· Boats doing power pieces must yield the right of way.

· Boats without coxswains have right of way over boats with coxswains.

· All crews should practice on the main river whenever possible.

· During busy periods, rowers and paddlers should enter the channel from the bottom if feasible. If they choose to come in the top of the channel, they must yield right of way to all exiting boats.

Traffic Patterns in the River (Appendix B- River Map)

· Coaches and all paddlers and rowers should be aware that the center of the river is a federally designated commercial waterway, used by barges.

· Always keep to the right hand side (from the coxswain's and paddlers’ perspective) of the river, that is the starboard side of the river EXCEPT between the top of the Channel and the first upstream green buoy, where boats may proceed upstream on the left hand side of the river until the first green buoy only.

· When exiting the upstream end of the Channel, boats must cross to the right hand side of the river between the 40th Street Bridge and the first upstream green buoy.

· The rules of the Channel extend upstream to the first green buoy.

· When entering the upper end of the channel, boats should turn toward the channel after passing under the center arch of the 40^th Street Bridge but before the bottom dock of the sternwheelers.

· When exiting or entering the downstream end of the channel, cross over between the end of sandbar at the bottom of the island and the Pipeline Crossing sign or overhead wires).

1.3 Crew Leader Requirements back to top

Rule 1.3.1 All outings shall comply with Crew Leader or Sculler Certification Requirements.

Rule 1.3.2 Crews shall comply with safety related directives from their designated Crew Leaders

A list of crew leaders in each certified class will be maintained by TRRA and lists of Crew Leaders will be posted. Sculler certifications will be administered by TRRA and a register of certified scullers will be maintained.

Crew Leaders are classified according to the following levels:

Level I Crew Leader - Rowing:

· May take out one boat with EXPERIENCED rower/s and coxswain

· Not required to drive a launch

Level I Crew Leader – Paddling:

· May take out up to ten inexperienced kayakers in the back channel

· May take out one dragon boat with both experienced and inexperienced paddlers in the back channel

Level II Crew Leader - Rowing:

· May take out one boat without restriction as to experience level of rowers/coxswain or two boats when in a launch

· Crew Leader must accompany any boat containing NOVICE rowers / coxswain in a launch save for staying in the back channel where a launch may be optional depending on judgment of the coach/crew leader.

· Anyone driving TRRA launches must have appropriate launch driver certification (See main TRRA Rules)

Level II Crew Leader – Paddling:

· May take out up to six inexperienced kayakers on the river

May take out one dragon boat on the river if steerer and drummer are experienced, regardless of paddlers’ experience level

· Must have TRRA launch certification

Level III Crew Leader - Rowing:

· May take out up to four boats accompanied by a launch without restriction to experience level of rowers/coxswain

· Crew Leader must accompany any boat containing NOVICE rowers / coxswain in a launch except when staying in the back channel where a launch may be optional depending on judgment of the coach/crew leader.

Level III Crew Leader – Paddling:

· May take out twelve kayakers on the river

· May take out two dragon boats on river regardless of paddlers’, drummer’s, or steerer’s experience level

See TRRA Rules on how to qualify as a Crew Leader

1.4 Safety Equipment Requirements back to top

Rule 1.4.1 Coaching and escort launches must be equipped with all required safety equipment

Rule 1.4.2 All rowing and paddling boats shall be equipped with required safety equipment.

Rule 1.4.3 It is the responsibility of the person in charge of each watercraft to ensure that it is in proper operating condition and that all required safety equipment is on board and properly deployed.

Motorized Launches

A launch MUST carry all equipment required by federal and state regulations and other equipment by good safe boating practices, specifically:

A Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person in the launch and each person in a boat not already carrying one.
A throwable rescue device such as an approved floating seat cushion.
Lights if before sunrise or after sundown. For launches, these should be standard re/green bow lights and all-around white stern lights.
An efficient noise making device
An anchor with at least 50' of anchor line attached to launch
At least one oar or paddle.
Valid registrations

Paddling Boats

PFD's must be worn by all paddlers or children age 12 and under, steerers, drummers, Corporate, Program, and Summer League Participants and special needs paddlers/rowers.

All kayakers must wear PFD’s

TRRA regular dragon-boat members (Paddlefish) are exempt from wearing PFD’s if they have filed a swim test certificate with the club. If a PFD is not worn, it must be close at hand. The dragon boat must contain at least one PFD per person on board.

Rowing Boats

Coxswains must wear or have available a PFD

The status of rower’s needs for PFD’s is unclear under present law. Oars, not including the adjustable handle type, have counted as PFD’s for rowers, but it is not clear if this will continue. When in doubt, carry a PFD such as an auto-inflate pouch or a regular life jacket. Children under 12 and any adults not having passed their swim tests must wear a PFD.

Lights for Rowing Shells and Paddling Boats

All rowing and paddling boats are required to have properly functioning lights before sunrise and after sunset. These times are posted daily in the Boathouses.

Attach an all-round white light to the bow of shells and a red blinking light to the coxswain's back and sculler's or kayaker’s front before sunrise and after sunset. These lights must be large enough to be clearly visible from a distance. Small pencil-type lights, even with high intensity bulbs, are not recommended.

Lights should be mounted or worn so that they face in the appropriate direction, do not hang down, and are not obscured by a rower’s hair or clothing. Note that lights clipped onto clothing are best mounted inside and then flipped out—this will prevent the light from shining downwards and being ineffective.

Dragon boats should have an elevated white light in the stern, and the traditional red/green running light on the bow, either attached thereon, or to the back of the drummer’s seat.

1.5 Behavior at TRRC Facilities and on TRRC Equipment back to top

Rule 1.5.1 No rowdy behavior, horseplay or any behavior likely to cause injury to persons or damage to property is permitted

Rule 1.5.2 No alcohol is permitted to be brought to or consumed on the premises or in any TRRA boat, except in connection with Club sanctioned events and parties.

Rule 1.5.3 No weapons, knives (over 4 inches), or firearms of any description are permitted in TRRA facilities or equipment.

1.6 Incident Reports back to top

Rule 1.6.1 All occurrences of personal injury, property or equipment damage, collision with other boats, and equipment maintenance required must be reported immediately to the Executive Director, Staff member or a member of the TRRA Safety Committee.

Rule 1.6.2 TRRA Incident Report and/or Damage Maintenance Forms must be filed as required.

See Appendices for Incident Report Form, Equipment Damage/Maintenance Form, and Equipment Damage policy, for current Safety Committee members.

Should reports of such incidents be required by any governmental authority, such reports must be filed in timely fashion and TRRA must be copied.

1.7 Infractions back to top

When the Executive Director and/or the Director of Safety becomes aware of a breach of the Rules and Guidelines or of an otherwise unsafe practice, the person(s) in question will be given: a reminder of the Rule/Guideline or safety principle in question (in writing if necessary), and/or conduct a meeting in person or on phone which shall be documented.

If a person shows a blatant disregard for a Rule/Guideline (once reminded), OR an incident report form is filed which raises serious safety concerns, then, the Director of Safety and/or the Executive Director shall ask the person to meet with them to discuss the incident.

The meeting shall be structured as follows:

(a) the facts will be reviewed (with reference to the IRF), then

(b) the relevant Rules/Guidelines/safety principles will be reviewed, and

(d) the meeting shall be documented.

Following such a meeting, the Director of Safety and the Executive Director shall, if they see fit, consult with the Safety Committee and/or recommend further action to the Board of Directors or to the Executive Committee, including, but not limited to:

(a) Modification of TRRA's Rules and Guidelines,

(b) Suspension or revocation of Crew Leader status

(d) In the case of High School and College programs, give notice of the matter to the parents' group, Athletic director or other appropriate persons.

The person concerned shall be given notice of any such recommendation prior to the Executive Committee or Board meeting at which it will be considered.

SECTION 2 SAFE PRACTICES

2.1 Equipment Checkout back to top

1. Each rower, paddler, and sculler should take personal responsibility for:

a) being fully aware of the weather conditions and possible safety hazards. Listen to the weather forecast and observe the information posted on the Weather/Safety board located inside the boathouses and see: http://www.threeriversrowing.org/weatherhome.html

b) being physically conditioned for the sport of rowing or paddling. Consult a physician before starting any form of exercise. Before beginning to paddle or row, go through a warm up and/or a basic set of stretching exercises.

c) properly reserving boats in the book in the TRRA lobby and properly signed out on the crew/sculler's/kayak/dragon boat logs attached to the outside of the boathouses.

d) Adhering to the Equipment Classification System which indicates that certain rowers may use certain restricted equipment.

Launches should carry:

· PFD’s Appropriate to the number of rowers/paddlers not already wearing or carrying PFD’s

· 9 emergency blankets in a water tight container (in cold conditions)

· Tool kit

· First Aid Kit

· Lifeline or throw bag

· Fire extinguisher

· Flashlight

· Bailer

· Communication device (radio or cell phone)

Defective or damaged equipment must be reported in writing on the Damage/ Maintenance Report.

(See the Appendices for blank copy of the Damage/Maintenance Report. Copies are also located in the file folders at the entrance to the boat storage areas).

Good Rowing and Paddling Procedure

The greatest danger while on the water is collision caused by limited vision or carelessness - either yours or another boat's. Great care should be taken when rowing or paddling in darkness or near darkness. Take extra care to look and listen. Do not get too close to shore and known hazards. Only paddle or row in familiar waters under these conditions. The safety of life is more precious than a few more minutes of practice.

2. Outings should gradually and safely build up to full intensity. Under no circumstances should a crew race or sprint upon initially entering the boat.

3. Rowers in multi person boats should always be quiet and attentive to the Coxswain, Steerer, Coach or Crew Leader. All users of TRRA equipment must comply with instructions given by a Coach or Crew Leader.

4. Keep oarlocks locked until the boat is securely alongside the dock.

5. Keep at least one hand on the oar while on the water.

Always `paddle-down' at the end of your workout. It is important to your health that you do not race up to the dock. Once the boat and oars or paddles have been stored, it is important to take another few minutes to go through your basic stretching exercises to heal any unnoticed strains or sprains that began during your paddle or row, thus eliminating soreness and unnecessary pain.

2.2 Commands back to top

4. Before getting into the boat, be sure you know:

a) which seat and which side you are paddling or rowing- by number, and whether you are in the bow or stern pair/four.

b) for rowers, the following basic rowing terminology :

BOW and STERN; PORT and STARBOARD

TIE IN and UNTIE; READY ALL , ROW; WAY ENOUGH; HOLD WATER

PORT (OR STARBOARD) TO ROW, STARBOARD (OR PORT) TO BACK

The terms WAY ENOUGH - HOLD WATER are used when the Coach, Crew Leader or coxswain wants a crew to stop immediately because of danger.

Paddlers should be familiar with the “Hold the boat” or “Hold water” command, used by the drummer or steerer when the boat must stop immediately.

2.3 Clothing back to top

2. CLOTHING

· Wear several layers of clothing in cold weather.

· Wear flexible clothing (no jeans).

· Polypropylene is best next to the skin. It wicks moisture away from your skin.

· Wool is the next best material in cold weather, since it also dries from the inside out.

· Wear a hat in cold weather. Heat is lost quickly from the head.

· A windproof jacket / windshirt helps to reduce wind chill.

3. Rowers should know that the shell and oars have been designed to provide flotation. They are not Pfd’s (Personal Flotation Devices), they are only EMERGENCY flotation devices.

Note: It has recently come to the attention of US Rowing that the adjustable oar can no longer be regarded as a dependable emergency float and rowers using such oars are advised to wear or carry an approved alternative personal flotation device.

2.4 Coxswains, Steerers, and Scullers back to top

a) All coxswains, steerers, kayakers, and scullers should know the hazards and traffic patterns of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, and where practices are planned. (Appendix C -River Maps)

b) Stay clear of bridge abutments, barges and other man-made or natural obstacles. Do not turn near any such obstacles.

c) Make frequent checks on both sides of the boat and to the rear and listen for other river traffic.

Each rower is responsible and accountable for his/her own rigging, foot stretcher, seat, slide and blade, and must check to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly before leaving the dock. If in doubt, ask the Coach or Crew Leader.

Any deficiencies that may result in further damage to the equipment or endanger safe operation must be repaired before launching.

Check the following:

· There is no damage to the hull, steering mechanisms, or structural support sections of the boat.

· the shell is equipped with a bow ball, heel tie-downs, and any other safety equipment appropriate to the shell.

· you have the correct oar and the collar is tight.

· nuts on the rigging are tight, the position of the foot stretcher and the smoothness of your slide are correct.

· rigging is not too high.