Navigation

Gloucester Rowing Club has policy documents outlining the rules for navigation on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal, but because they are currently being updated, this page provides a summary of these rules which need to be applied for anyone boating from Gloucester Boathouse. Reference documentation on safety-related topics can be found on the British Rowing Website.

The purpose of the guidance here is to describe protocols for safe rowing on the canal. Rowing is not an extreme sport i.e. you don't do it for the adrenaline rush of simply stepping in to the boat. This guidance hopes to keep it that way by interacting safely, consistently and clearly with other users.

Before You Set Out

• Know when your outing is and who you are boating with or expect to meet at the club. 

• Make sure you are properly prepared for the activity you are undertaking:

  • FIT  - You are not ill or carrying an injury that might exacerbate the risk to yourself or others

  • WATER - You have enough water - consider taking at least a litre and possibly more, depending on the length and intensity of the proposed activity

  • CLOTHING -  You are properly clothed for the conditions:

    • Several layers are better than one thick layer

    • Bright is better than dark

    • Functional is better than fashionable

    • Sun cream or UV protective layers

    • Dry spares / extra layers at the Boathouse

  • IN CASE OF EMERGENCY - You have a small emergency bag of tools, first aid, space blanket, mobile with contact numbers and any other items you think you might need and can fit in to a small dry bag

• INSPECT - If you are using club equipment, inspect it both before and after the outing. (If you are not sure what to look for, ask your coach, the Captain or another experienced rower, - if you are that person being asked, be helpful and friendly).

• WARM UP - Doing a warm up before getting on the water will reduce risk of injury and prepare your body and mind for the outing. 

• ILLNESS and INJURY - There is no goal worth risking further injury, so if you aren't 100% fit, let your coach know. If you are the coach, make sure everyone in your group is fit for the outing.

Getting on to the Water

• KNOW WHO AND WHERE

  • Know which boat, blades and crew you are in and what position you are in the boat.

• REMOVING BOAT FROM RACK

  • Remember where your boat came from, if it is bow or stern first on the rack and where the supports are.

  • Ensure you have enough people to lift the boat

  • Check for hazards and clear where possible (boats/launches in middle of bay or boat riggers above and below?)

  • If in a crew designate someone to call the lift (or cox if present). Speak up if you have a problem or notice anything.

  • Trestles ready to place boat on

• CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT

  • Check the boat hull for damage, seats and slides are free rolling and smooth, riggers (including back stays and top-nuts are secure), hatches done up, shoes are present and in correct position, heal restraints are present and correct tension, bow ball is present and not loose and the blades are not damaged and appropriate for the crew using them. 

• PLACING BOAT ON THE WATER

  • Always boat with the Bow to the right as you look at the canal i.e. towards Sharpness

  • Cross the canal path with the boat parallel to the water, ensure there path is clear before crossing and give way to other users first.

• GETTING IN THE BOAT

  • Ensure all bow side blades are in 

  • Have a coach or crew member support the bow rigger whilst you enter. (COVID SAFE - apply any distancing restrictions and mask requirements)

• PUSHING OFF

  • Check all gates are secured

  • Check all crew is ready and holding blades

  • Check th navigation is clear

  • Check lights are affixed (stern and bow) as needed.

On the Water

KNOW WHERE TO BE

• KEEP TO THE RIGHT (Starboard). (Bowside blade to the bank, strokeside to open water)

• THIRD RULE - divide the canal into three, your lane, the returning lane on the far side and the middle lane is no mans land - for passing other rowing boats, moored boats, anglers or debris avoidance. Only entre if clear.  If not STOP and assess.

• Do not cut corners.

• Check your position every 3rd stroke by looking over your shoulder, (try to alternate which shoulder you look over, if this is too un-natural try and check the other side every 5th look).

• VOCALISE where you are and WARN OTHER USERS of your presence. (i.e. "Name boat you want to notify" - "State action"  - "Say who you are" - "say where you are" - "Say if you want them to do anything"  for example " 'Double, Take a look, Four approaching two lengths off on you stroke side, stay on course."  OR "Pair, Take a look, Eight stationary four lengths, move out". 

KNOW THE HAZARDS

• CONDITIONS - understand what is around you and what effect that will have on navigation

  • cross winds blowing into bank or into stream

  • areas of poor or restricted visibility

  • other crews doing pieces

  • experience of crew members

  • structures and vegetation along the banks

• Where it is safe keep away from the bank to avoid tangling with angler's lines.  Be polite at all times. Don't stop too close to them or do drill adjacent to an anglers location. (If it is necessary to stop, there should be a gap every 50 pegs in which you can stop without causing too much disturbance to the anglers)

• Be aware of other boat movements - rowers, pleasure cruisers, moored boats moving, canoes.

• Don’t assume that all boat users know the rules of navigation, keep an eye out for unusual manoeuvres with little or no warning

BRIDGES

• Proceed with care, ensure you can clearly see through to oncoming navigation. 

• When bridges are open or being opened they are not to be passed through, unless the Bridge Keeper tells you it is safe to do so. 

• Do not stop or turn within 50m of Bridges. (General rule of thumb - stay the same distance from you to the traffic lights as lights are to the bridge)

• Proceed with caution if the lights are off – there may be a boat coming the other way. Take heed of any advice given by the Bridge Keeper.

• All rowers must wait for traffic lights to be changed by the Bridge Keeper. Notify Bridge Keeper by whatever means possible of your presence so lights maybe changed in your favour. Remember:

  1. Red / Flashing Red - Stop

  2. Green - Free to Go

  3. No Lights – Proceed with caution

• Rowing / Sculling crews travelling towards Gloucester have the priority over crews travelling to Sharpness.