1      Marshals’ meeting at UL at 12:00. Please ensure all launches are correctly fitted with BR–compliant IDs and are put out by this time on the day (including petrol, deadman’s handles and safety equipment). Marshals must be in position on the water before crews boat. The list of required launch safety equipment is in the BR Row Safe guide.

2      All marshals must be familiar with the Code of Practice for Rowing on the Tideway (2006), the location of the starboard and port lateral mark buoys, and the event NTM

3      All marshals must be aware of the specific variation to the restricted zone navigation in PLA NTM2011U26:

o    As and when it is safe to do so competitors may overtake in the restricted zones

o    As and when it is safe to do so competitors may follow the racing line.

4      All marshalls must have read the event safety plan, with particular reference to the instructions to coxswains (appendix 2), and the navigation plans (appendices 6-10).

5      First aid available from individual Clubs at ULBH. UHBC/ULBC kit is at ULBH. See below for further details.

6      In the event of an accident your first duty is to the safety of competitors and yourself – see appendices 4/a/b. Call the safety launch by radio if appropriate (see section 21). Any emergencies (medical/regatta) to be reported to race control and JM at the start (launch 1) ASAP by radio. See appendices 4, 4A and 4B. Safety first – do not put yourself into danger but if close to the scene please offer assistance. Do not neglect the other aspects of your duty. If the safety launch is in attendance then please return to your designated duty unless otherwise requested.

7      Radio protocol: please keep your messages clear and short.  Remember that no-one else can transmit if you hold your transmit button down. In general please refer to the person you are trying to contact by position rather than name, particularly for:

·         Control (Race control, ULBH, bank marshal 3)

·         Start (Chief Umpire, launch 1)

·         Kew (lead marshal at Kew, launch 5)

·         Spotter (bank marshal 5)

·         Safety (launch 9)

Please keep all radio traffic formal. The correct manner of starting a call is:

‘Race control, race control, this is xxxx, over’ (best way of attracting attention)

‘This is race control, go ahead’

‘Message, over, (where response expected)

‘Response, out’ (to end conversation)

8      Radio transmission: Due to the limitation of the radio system the event will rely on mobile telephone back-up (numbers provided at Marshals Meeting). The nature of the course is such that the radio transmission range probably is insufficient to provide for direct radio transmission between race officials at either end of the course. The exact nature of the range will be dependent on a number of external conditions and the positioning of the booster station and will need to be assessed on the day. All radios will be turned to the same frequency (channel 1). Functionally there will be two groups of radio users:

o   Start group Launches 1,2,3,4 & 9 Bank Marshalls 1 & 2 (lead L1)

o   Finish group Launches 5,6,7,8 & 9 Bank Marshalls 2,3,4,5 & 6 (lead BM3)

Bank marshall 2 and launch 5 will be responsible for ensuring that messages are relayed between the start and finish. The safety launch, 9, needs to position itself in an area where there is good line of sight of the Brentford stretch, and also good radio contact with both the start and finish groups. Control and spotter (bank marshals 3 and 5) will remain in close mobile telephone contact with the start (Chief Umpire in Launch 1). In case of radio failure use mobile phone telephone numbers listed in marshalling pack (Check your number is listed and is correct!).       

9      It is the personal responsibility of each club to ensure each club boat conforms to the ARA requirements.  Bow-balls, heel release mechanism, BR – compliant IDs, rudder lines and fin, the integrity of the buoyancy chambers, and the proper fitting of coxes’ buoyancy aids must be checked by each club; some random checks will be done by UHBC (bank marshal 2) and crews may be disqualified if boats do not comply (refer start, JM). A written record will be kept of checks by UHBC.

10   Launches 4,5,6,7 and 9 must be on the water before crews boat.

11   Please anticipate high stream flow rates due to excess land water. It only takes a few seconds for a boat to get into danger.

12   All launches are responsible for policing adherence to the PLA rules of navigation in whichever location they are in.

13   All launches will follow the last oared boat up the course without causing excess wash.

14   Launch 1 (‘START’) responsibilities:

·         Chief marshal/chief umpire

·         Senior medical officer, modified medical kit with ability to deal with initial stages of ILS.

·         Overall control of conduct of event

·         Overall control of marshalling in start area

·         Lead for radio communication in start group (see 13 above)

·         Communication with control and spotter prior to commencement of start

·         Ensure that first section of each division crews are correctly positioned prior to start

·         Turning of crews onto the stream and presentation to the starter.

·         Setting up a minimum 15 second gap between crews going to the starter

15   Launch 2:

·         Before boating gets underway at ULBH will help BM4 with control commission duties (boat & cox check) at ULBH.

·         Ensure that crews keep into the Middlesex side in the marshalling area, especially section section crews in each division, and kept paddling up to maintain their appropriate positions as shown in appendix 8 (up to the red flag).

·         Send up second section crews into the space vacated by first section crews during the start.

16   Launch 3:

·         Ensure that crews keep into the Middlesex side during marshalling, especially second section crews, and keep paddling up to maintain their appropriate position as shown in appendix 6 (up to red flag).

·         Once the crews are turned by launch 1, launch 3 will maintain a constant position by the Syon Park Pavillion and ensure that crews are adequately separated and hold back crews if necessary to achieve a minimum of 15 seconds between each crew

·         Start each crew in turn by saying ‘crew x, get ready, row’.

17   Launch 4:

·         Responsible for ensuring adherence to the PLA navigation rules by UH boats paddling to the start and during the race, and in particular ensuring safety at the Syon Crossing at Isleworth Ferry Gate.

·         Notification of any external oared boats travelling upriver through the Syon crossing to launches 1,2,3 via the start radio group; notification of any powered vessels.

·         The launch may be moored on the Surrey side at the crossing (i.e. at about Bumps start 16-18) in a suitable position which allows good visibility of the river downstream towards Brentford Lock.

18   Launch 5 (‘KEW’):

·         Launch 5 will be the lead marshal for the Kew RZ group (L5/6/7) and will be positioned at the western end of the RZ at Kew Road Bridge (see appendix 8)

·         This launch should have radio communication with both the start and finish radio groups but this cannot be guaranteed and will need to be assessed once in position.

·         Pass on information to launch 4, BM2 and launch 9 about oncoming rowing boats and powered vessels proceeding upriver.

·         Supervision of Kew Road Bridge restricted zone, both before and during the race.

·         L5 must monitor the arrival of crews during the race and determine whether there are likely to be any crews overtaking through the Kew Road Bridge RZ. Good contact with BM2 will facilitate the early detection of any problems as crews come up to launch 5. If it appears that there is a possibility of significant bunching of crews in the area, the marshall must advise the rear-most crew(s) to slow down and ensure that they do not cause a situation where more than two crews are attempting to overtake at any one time. Important information about likely problems should be passed on to launch 6/ bank marshal 6 by radio. IF IN DOUBT tell crews to proceed line astern through the RZ.

·         Crews must be told to proceed line astern if there is any doubt about the available width of the fairway through the restricted zone (the affected area may be a part or all of the restricted zone area).

·         Note that all boats on the fairway count in this assessment - whether or not they belong to crews competing in the race.

·         The standard instruction will be: ‘Caution ahead - No overtaking allowed - Proceed line astern’.

·         The launch must warn all crews approaching during the race if there is a possibility of meeting a powered vessel proceeding against the stream in either the Kew Road or Rail Bridge RZs. This information should be provided by the downriver marshals on the finish radio group.

·         Coxes who appear to disregard the instructions to proceed line astern for safety reasons should be made aware that their actions will be reported to the TRRC and the boat may be disqualified if it appears that safety has been compromised by the coxes’ actions.

19   Launch 6

·         Will be positioned at the western end of the Kew Railway Bridge RZ (see appendix 8).

·         Pass on information to launch 5 about oncoming rowing boats and powered vessels proceeding upriver from Chiswick Bridge.

·         Supervision of Kew Rail Bridge restricted zone, both before and during the race.

·         The launch based marshall must monitor the arrival of crews during the race and determine whether there are likely to be any crews overtaking through the Kew Rail Bridge RZ. If it appears that there is a possibility of more than two crews attempting to overtake in the area, the marshall must advise the rear-most crew(s) to slow down and ensure that they do not cause a situation where more than two crews are attempting to overtake at any one time.

·         Crews must be told to proceed line astern if there is any doubt about the available width of the fairway through the restricted zone (the affected area may be a part or all of the restricted zone area). This is particularly important at Oliver’s Ait which is the narrowest part of the whole course.

·         Note that all boats on the fairway count in this assessment - whether or not they belong to crews competing in the race.

·         The standard instruction will be: ‘Caution ahead - No overtaking allowed - Proceed line astern’.

·         The launch/BM6 must warn all crews approaching during the race if there is a possibility of meeting a powered vessel proceeding against the stream in the Kew Rail Bridge RZ. This information should be provided to launch 6/BM6 by the downriver marshals on the finish radio group.

·         Coxes who appear to disregard the instructions to proceed line astern for safety reasons should be made aware that their actions will be reported to the TRRC and the boat may be disqualified if it appears that safety has been compromised by the coxes’ actions.

20   Launch 7

·         Will be positioned opposite UL in a position to be able to monitor traffic in the Surrey in-shore zone and the navigation of boats crossing the fairway proceeding to ULBH following the race (see appendix 11)

·         Pass on information to launch 6/ bank marshal 6 about oncoming rowing boats and powered vessels proceeding upriver from Chiswick Bridge.

·         Provide a warning to all rowing boats not involved in the event that there is a head race in progress. Please attempt to determine the intentions of all such boats and provide advice to them as required. Request that such boats do not attempt to turn in front of the oncoming race (particularly with reference to the area between the Kew Bridge RZs).

·         Ensure that crews retuning to ULBH from the finish give way when crossing the fairway from the Surrey in-shore zone to the Middlesex side, particularly if other boats are still in the race.

·         Ensure that crews returning to ULBH cross only in the designated crossing area at the water outfall on the Surrey side, and not before (see appendix 11).

21   Launch 8:

·         Pass on information to launches 5,6,7 & bank marshal 6 about oncoming rowing boats and powered vessels proceeding upriver using the finish radio group.

·         Monitor the finish.

·         Ensure that crews pass into the Chiswick Bridge RZ line astern, and take action to slow down relevant crews in order to avoid any boat overlap as crews enter the RZ.

·         Ensuring that crews turn promptly and safely, and ensure that there is no conflict with external crews, particularly those crossing at the Ship Inn Crossing. Please ensure men’s crews returning to ULBH turn promptly after the Chiswick Bridge RZ.

·         Please monitor boats returning to ULBH to ensure that they stay in the Surrey in-shore zone. 

22   Launch 9 (‘SAFETY’):

·         Will act as the event safety launch.

·         Stationed at a suitable point near the PLA moorings, such that it has a good line of sight of the Brentford stretch and good radio contact with both the start and the finish radio groups.

·         No other primary responsibility. However, may pass on information to launches 1,2,3 & 4 about oncoming rowing boats and powered vessels proceeding upriver.

·         Will respond to any report about an accident or capsize on the course by making way towards the reported accident site as quickly and safely as possible.

·         Will act as the primary rescue vessel in any case of capsize or inadvertent ejection of a competitor out of a boat, and will assume this role from any other launch in attendance once the safety launch has arrived.

·         The safety launch will need to inform control (bank marshall 3) and start (launch 1) if the action and emergency action plan (appendix 4, 4a & 4b) needs to be put into action.

·         The safety launch will need to discuss with the senior medical officer the most appropriate route of evacuation of casualties and inform UL control accordingly. It will be the primary responsibility of UL control to call an ambulance, although others may take on this responsibility if necessary[1].

·         The Safety launch will be afloat 45 minutes prior to each division and will stay afloat until all competitors have returned to ULBH or TSS.

23           Bank Marshal 1

·         Will be placed at the start line as the start time keeper.

·         The crews will be set off at no less than 15 second intervals, spaced by the starter in L3.

·         During marshalling, before the race commences, BM 1 will assist in ensuring that crews stay close to the Middlesex bank whilst marshalling against the stream, and keep paddling up to maintain their position.

·         If there is an emergency requiring evacuation in the start area, BM1 should act as the primary land-based official and act in accordance with appendix 4a.

24           Bank Marshal 2

·         BM2 needs to position him/her self on the Surrey bank opposite Brentford Lock (at the Bumps crossing point) so as to have a good vision of the river in both directions and ensure that there is complete line-of-sight coverage of the course towards the Brentford Ait in conjunction with launches 4,9 and 5.

·         The marshal needs to ensure that where at all possible, that radio contact is maintained with both the start and finish groups.

·         The marshall, provided that radio contact is possible with both start and finish groups, will need to act as a relay between the start and finish groups. If it is not possible to effect radio contact between the two groups, BM 2 will assist in establishing an alternative communication channel between the start and the finish groups (in discussion with L1).

·         BM2 must ensure good communication with launch 5 during the race, and in particular advise launch 5 (‘Kew’) of any groupings of crews which may lead to bunching of crews or overtaking in the Kew Road Bridge RZ. If in doubt, warn launch 5.

25           Bank Marshal 3 (‘CONTROL’).

·         Act as co-ordinator of the finish radio group.

·         Maintain close direct contact (probably by mobile telephone) with launch 1.

·         Overall supervision of the boating of crews (assisted by BM 4 and launch 2) at ULBH

·         Liaison with contact at TSSC to ensure timely boating of GKT crews.

·         Co-ordinator of the accident and emergency action plan - designated to make primary contact with the LAS if an ambulance is required (note that this role will be taken on by BM1 in the event of implementation of the A&E plan in the start area).

·         Ensure appropriate deployment of launches & marshals in the finish area

26           Bank marshall 4

·         Assist BM 3 in boating of crews at ULBH

·         Act as control commission at ULBH (boat and cox check), record check in appendix 7.

·         Finish time keeper (at UH flag at ULBH for Ladies’ and MAABC for men’s division)

·         Ensure clear audible signal to all crews once crossed finish line (note time first then sound klaxon).

·         Will be placed on Barnes Bridge.

27           Bank marshal 5 (‘SPOTTER’)

·         Ensure effective radio communication with the finish radio network (especially control and launch 8) to warn of any power vessels or significant oared boat activity proceeding upriver towards the race finish.

·         Specific direct mobile telephone contact with start (launch 1) to advise of class V (pleasure cruiser) or similar sized powered vessels coming towards the race course.

·         Specific direct mobile telephone contact with start (launch 1) immediately prior to commencement of starting the race.

28           Bank marshal 6 (opposite Oliver’s Eyot)

·                     See Launch 6 duties (section 18)

·                     Positioned on the Surrey bank on one of the sets of steps immediately opposite Olivers Eyot so as to have a good view of the river at the narrowest point of the course

·                     Monitor for powered vessels coming against the stream through the railway bridge and ensure that all competitors pass on the correct (Surrey) side of the fairway around any powered vessel so as not to obstruct the Surrey inshore zone. Ensure that all competitors proceed through the correct (2^nd) span of the railway bridge with the stream.