Night and reduced light rowing

Following a review of the risks of rowing in reduced light or darkness, members are required to follow the procedures below:

Please read the safety resources to familiarise yourself with advice on the status of the river, the pre-row safety guide, and danger from waterborne diseases and hypothermia. Please also check the weather forecast, including visibility, the times of sunrise and sunset and lighting up/down times.

Members must sign up through MyClubhouse prior to any outing. This allows other rowers to check availability and the club VCs to confirm how many boats will be on the water.

All rowers must wear hi-vis clothing.

Coxed night rowing sessions

• A maximum of two coxed boats, 4+ or 8+ only, can be on the water in organised sessions taking place in darkness.
• Single and doubles scullers, and 2+ crews, are not permitted to row alone in full darkness.
• Coxes will conduct a dynamic risk assessment and brief the crews before boating on the emergency plan in the event of an incident.
• Boats must carry a constant white light at the bow, facing direction of travel and bright enough to allow the cox to see the river and banks ahead. A flashing white light should be fixed at the stern, facing backwards.
• Coxes should carry walkie talkies for communication with the second boat.

Morning rowing

• If any part of the outing means you are on the water more than 30 minutes before sunrise, your boat must carry lights – a constant white light at the bow facing direction of travel and a flashing white light at the stern facing backwards. These are to allow other river users to see you; they should be angled so as not to dazzle other users.
• If several boats are out together, please use a convoy system where possible.
• If there is heavy cloud cover or visibility is otherwise reduced, please err on the side of caution and fix lights even if most of the session takes place after sunrise.
• Launches must carry red portside and green starboard lights, in addition to the white bow and stern lights described above.

Evening rowing

• If any part of your outing means you are on the water at or after sunset, your boat must carry lights as described above.
• Launches must carry red portside and green starboard lights, in addition to the white bow and stern lights described above.
• If visibility is reduced, please err on the side of caution and attach lights, even if planning to leave the river before lighting-up time.