Level 2 Certificate Managing risks in coastal environments

Level 2 Certificate Managing risks in coastal environments 1

Level 2 Certificate Pre session checks Before you go out always assess the following; • • 2 Weather Forecast Tide Water Conditions – Wind and Sea State Participants Plan Route - Navigation Equipment Communications

Level 2 Certificate Weather forecast Always assess current weather conditions and get an up to date weather forecast: Harbour master Phone/ mobile phone Navtex HM Coastguard Broadcasts - VHF: The initial call is on CH 16 then broadcasted on either channel 10 or ch 7 • Radio - Radio 4 LW/FM: BBC Radio 4 broadcast the shipping forecast four times a day at the following times: 0048, 0535, 1201, 1754 Internet - www. weather. org. uk, www. bbc. co. uk/weather, • • www. metcheck. co. uk, 3

Level 2 Certificate Tides The rise and fall of the tide, the direction and the rate of flow of the tidal stream will affect progress. The decision as to duration and direction of the training session should take these factors into account. 4

Level 2 Certificate Assessing conditions - wind Description of sea Force Wind Description Speed 0 Calm 1 2 Light breeze 5 Small wavelets. Crests do not break 3 Gentle breeze 9 Large wavelets, some crests break, some white horses 4 Moderate breeze 13 Small waves, frequent white horses 5 Fresh breeze 19 Moderate rather long waves, many white horses, some spray 6 Strong breeze 24 Some large waves, extensive white foam crests, some spray 7 Near gale 30 Sea heaped up, streaks of foam blowing with the wind 8 Gale 37 Fairly high and long waves, crests breaking into spindrift, blowing foam in prominent streaks 9 Strong gale 44 High waves, dense foam streaks in wind, wave-crests topple and roll over, spray reduces visibility 10 Storm 52 Very high waves, overhanging crests, dense blowing foam, heavy tumbling sea appears white, visibility poor 11 5 Sea like a mirror Light air 0 2 Severe storm 60 Exceptionally high waves, hiding small ships, sea covered with foam, crests blown into froth, visibility poor 12 Hurricane Ripples but without foam crests Air filled with foam and spray, sea white, visibility extremely bad

Level 2 Certificate Risk assessment and risk management 6

Level 2 Certificate Assessing conditions – wind & tide Direction of the course for training will depend on wind and tide conditions. Wind and tide together give a flatter sea. Wind against tide creates a "short" confused sea. The stronger the wind and tide, the rougher the sea. The first leg should go into the wind and return with wind and tide. 7

Level 2 Certificate Assessing rowers Always match the participants to the conditions, by assessing the following; • • • 8 Ability level Experience Age Fitness level Type of boat being used, e. g. level of stability Any injuries/illnesses

Level 2 Certificate Making your assessment Using the forecast and tide tables provided by your tutor, discuss in your groups how each of the areas below would impact on the planned session; • • • 9 Wet or dry Cloud cover Temperature Visibility Wind speed Wind direction Sea State of tide Time of forecast Ability/experience of the rowers

Level 2 Certificate Navigation Ensure the planned session route takes into account the forecast, tide, conditions and is appropriate for the participants ability levels Ensure the cox is familiar with; Rules of the Road – Prevention of Collision q Buoyage - Knowledge of the IALA Buoyage rules (Area A) and what buoys mean q Sound Signals q Shapes and Lights q 10

Level 2 Certificate Equipment • • Check the boat has the correct safety equipment on board • 11 Check all equipment for wear and/or damage prior to every outing Where a launch is used check that it is in good working order and has the correct equipment on board

Level 2 Certificate Communication Always, always; • • Make sure someone ashore knows your plans Inform the coastguard of your plan. Who you are How many Where you are going When you are due back Always take a VHF and/or mobile phone with you in a waterproof case • Always have a shore contact • Consider getting your boats registered under the CG 66 scheme 12

Level 2 Certificate Recap – pre session checks Before you go out always assess the following; • • 13 Weather Forecast Tide Water Conditions – Wind and Sea State Participants Plan Route - Navigation Equipment Communications

Level 2 Certificate Further information • • • 14 RNLI Interactive Sea Safety Guide Level 2 Risk assessment and risk management guide Row. Safe Guidance HSE leaflet; five steps to risk assessment British Standard 8800