WCRC RISK ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT PLAN

Activity/Situation:

Accompanied training on Wellington Harbour and the Whanganui River (after dawn and before dusk).
Wellington Harbour – crews most frequently train between Star Boating Club and Point Jerningham or the airport, or along the reclamation area between the Dominion Post ferry terminal and the end of the ship loading area and back.
Whanganui River – crews most frequently row up river, sometimes as far as the rapids and occasionally down river to the rail bridge.
Karapiro and Lake Ruataniwha – crews must train in the designated areas and follow guidelines set out in the safety briefing of each reagtta.

Analysis: KEY RISKS are accident, injury and other forms of risk

Description:

1. Rowing or coaching boat capsizes or collides resulting in injury, hypothermia or a fatality
2. A sudden adverse weather event e.g. a southerly squall on Wellington Harbour which is particularly dangerous because the temperature drops
3. A medical emergency other than injury e.g. asthma, hypoglycaemia, hypothermia, seizure, sun sroke

Analysis: CAUSAL FACTORS

Description:

People

Equipment

Environment

1. Weather conditions
2. Water conditions
3. Fixed obstacles in Wellington Harbour – the light house at Point Jerningham, the fountain in Oriental Bay, the 5 knot buoys, four poles (I between the Point and the airport; 3 at the reclamation).
4. Other harbour users e.g. shipping traffic, rowing crews, coaching boats, swimmers, paddle boarders

Analysis: RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES during normal operation

Description:

People

Rowers must always be accompanied by a coach.
All persons participating in rowing must be in good health and able to swim a minimum of 50 meters in light clothing and shoes.
Coaches shall ensure that crew members are aware of appropriate safety procedures at all times, including capsize response.
All crews must appoint a person to have overall responsibility for the crew (refer Water Safety Code WSC Clause 2.2)
Coaches aware of his/her own safety limits in coaching boat (3 crews per coaching boat).
Coaches skilled at group control and communication is clear and audible.
Rowers understand communication by coach.
Coaches and rowers are aware of rules of training and traffic flow on Wellington harbour.
Effective communication strategy between boats.

Equipment

Coaching boat equipped with WSC recommended equipment (refer Clauses 3.2 and 3.3).
Every boat equipped with a white ball of not less than 4 cm in diameter.
Heel restraints and quick release mechanisms must be in proper working order.
Check oars and sculls to ensure “collars/buttons” are secure and properly set.
Crews carry spanners.
Coach carries communication equipment.
Coaches, coxes and persons travelling in coaching boats to wear life jackets at all times.
Coach checks coaching boat equipment and fuel prior to training.
Coach aware of proper rigging and equipment for crews.
Coach boat maintenance carried out regularly.
Coach boats to carry basic first aid kits.

Environment

Coach aware of local weather and checks daily weather report.
Coach assesses water conditions prior to training.
Crew and coach appropriately dressed for weather.
Coach and crews aware of locality of shipping lanes and traffic flow generally on harbour and of hazards.
Skiffs and coaching boats carry appropriate lighting as set out by MSA when training between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.

Analysis: RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES in an emergency

Description:

Coaches and crews aware of how to contact Emergency Services – if requiring assistance on harbour, dial 111 and ask for the Marine Police. Be able to describe exact location. If requiring emergency medical assistance on shore, dial 111 and ask for Ambulance.
Have comprehensive first aid kit on hand at Star Boating Club and during training camps and regattas. Coaches/volunteers instructed in basic first aid techniques.
Rowing NZ’s Water Safety Code displayed prominently at Star Boating Club
Thermal blankets available for hypothermia.
Launch and landing sites need to be identified and closest medical facilities identified.

Analysis: RELEVANT INDUSTRY STANDARDS APPLICABLE

Description:

Maritime Transport Act 1994 Section 65: “Every person commits an offence that causes permits any ship to be operated in a manner which causes unnecessary danger of risk to any other person or property irrespective or not if any injury or damage occurs”.
Maritime Transport Act 1994 Section 19: “The master of a ship shall be responsible for the safe operation of the ship and the safety of all passengers and crew.”

Analysis: POLICIES AND GUIDELINES RECOMMENDED

Description:

Rowing New Zealand’s Water Safety Code, September 2016.
Rowing New Zealand’s Club Safety Responsibilities Guide, September 2010
Application of three safety principles: look after yourself, work as a team, communicate. See below.

Analysis: SKILLS REQUIRED BY COACHES

Description:

Coaches are certified to Rowing NZ Coaching Level One or equivalent
Coaches have attended Coastguard Boating Education “Club Safety Boat Operator Course”

This Plan is based on three key documents produced by Rowing New Zealand:

THREE SAFETY PRINCIPLES

Look After Yourself

General preparation – check the weather forecast, bring appropriate clothing, bottle, snack, sponge, know how to get into a boat
Launching – check equipment is properly set up and everything is tight, gates, spare spanner, heel restraints, check coach boat
On the water – stay focused, check for hazards, listen to the cox, stay hydrated, stay aware and calm, stay warm, don’t let go of your oars and row!

Work as a Team

General application – share gear if necessary, help others, develop trust in each other, be aware who is a strong swimmer and who isn’t
Launching – communicate, check gear of others once you’ve checked your own, pay attention and listen to the cox
On the water – listen to the cox and coach, make sure everyone is ok, minimal banter

Communicate

General/specific – talk, use gestures, eye contact, posture
Launching – let people know what is happening, listen to the cox
On the water – make noticeable actions, communicate about specific hazards, listen to cox, don’t whinge.