Pre & Post outing checklistS

ROWING CREWS

Pre-outing

• Check boat visually for hull damage 
• Check riggers and gates (using a spanner) 
• Check heel restraints and bow ball 
• Check fin and steering gear 
• Check seats and runners 
• Check oar collars and handles 
• Ensure the cox has a (correct) Life jacket
• Do a risk assessment, taking into account
  – available light (sun rise and sun set)
  – how busy the river is
  – weather, particularly wind or fog 
  – the tide direction and ebb flag
  – how experienced the crew/steers is 
• Sign the boat out

Post-outing

• Wash boat inside and out including runners 
• Put boat back on the correct rack 
• Wash oars and replace in correct rack 
• Get the launch off the water (if used) 
• Report any damage to captaincy or online (this is important) 
• Submit any incident reports (if required)
• Sign the boat in

Before locking up

• Check all boats are signed in and accounted for
  – if not, follow the instructions on the Safety Plan
• Ensure all equipment, trestles and launches are inside

COACHING LAUNCH 

The launch has NOT been wash tested and should carry a MAXIMUM of 2 adults.

Before pushing-off

• All occupants MUST wear a Life Jacket
• The driver MUST use a Kill Cord
• Ensure you have the key and the bung is in
• Ensure there is a paddle on board
• Ensure there is enough fuel for the duration of the outing
• Attach fuel line to the tank
• Check the lights (if boating in low light or darkness)

Pre-starting sequence

• Open the breather screw on the fuel tank cap
• Pump the bulb in the fuel line until firm ~ 3–5 pumps
• Put the gear lever into neutral – centred, vertical and with the button clicked out
• Ensure there is sufficient water depth then tilt the engine into the run position i.e. vertically down into the water and make sure that the catch has engaged to hold it in that position
• Do not attempt to start the engine whilst tilted out of the water
• Attach Kill Cord (to the button under the key)
• Attached other end of Kill Cord to the driver (wrist, leg or life jacket)
• Push and turn the ignition key to start – hold in for choke
• Using the button on the gear lever, gently push the lever forward or backward to engage forward or reverse gear.

Shut down sequence

• Always approach from down–stream of your intended landing spot – remember that the tidal stream will continue push you sideways once the engine is cut
• Have the paddle ready
• Approach perpendicular to the shore and cut the engine – use the ignition key or pull the kill cord out before the propeller touches the bottom
• Go back to the engine and tilt upwards until it clicks into place – use the tilt catch on the left of the shaft in order to tilt the engine. Engine will tilt in gear or in neutral.

• Paddle to the shore if your momentum does not take you in

EBB TIDE: Pull the launch well onto the foreshore
FLOOD TIDE: Tie-up or removed immediately from the water so the launch does not drift off

After the outing

• Remove the key and kill cord and return to the appropriate place indoors
• Remove the fuel tank, close the breather valve and return to the petrol store
• Remove the bung and drain any water
• Turn off the lights – so as not to drain the battery
• Report any damage, faults, or incidents immediately

Fuelling

• Do not fuel the launch inside the Boatshop
• Avoid fuelling on the boat ramp (it ruins the surface)