Penalties

The fining system recognises the failure of crews or individuals to assist in the safe and smooth running of rowing activities and applies "without fear or favour" to all clubs, including University crews on the Cam, and to all crews within any club. Part of the reason for variable fines, and increasing scales for repeat offences, is to recognise that no club or crew, however junior or senior, should expect to commit a serious offence without the knowledge that the penalty will be painful either in financial or training terms. Captains of senior clubs must recognise and accept that they have a responsibility to set an example in terms of behaviour, and cannot expect to be immune to penalties. Captains must also make sure their coaches are aware of the importance of obeying the rules. University (including trials) crews using the Jesus Lock to Bottisham section of river must recognise that although allowances are given in the rules to assist their training, they are subject to the same rules and penalties (particularly in relation to safety matters) as anyone else. Policing infringements is difficult. The system relies on emailed and written report forms being sent to the Executive Committee naming two witnesses (in all cases confidentiality is maintained), or individual reports of the Executive Committee members, or other recognised experienced users of the Cam (where reports can be investigated). The following list is designed to be a summary of the penalties which are applied for offences during normal use of the river, and during bumping races. This list does not necessarily cover all instances. Where it does not, discretion lies with the Senior Treasurer and Chairman of CUCBC. All fines are open to appeal, as defined in Rule 2.

Normal Training Periods

The prime object of these penalties is to ensure that individuals and clubs adopt behaviour that will lead to the safe use of the River Cam and consideration for other river users.

Set Fines

  • Boating at an illegal time (i.e. in darkness (Rule 5), wrong hour in summer (Rule 10), illegal crew to Clayhithe (Rule 28), training away from Cam before permission given (Rule 14)). £25 initially, doubling on second offence for that crew (in the term), training ban for third offence, race ban for any further offences. Boating at an illegal time at the weekend (Rule 6): £50 initially, doubling on second offence for that crew (in the term), training ban for third offence, race ban for any further offences.
  • Novice crew failure to go with coach (or experienced cox as required by Rule 9). £50 (safety offence), one week ban (repeat offence).
  • Leaving boathouse without bowball or lifejacket/buoyancy aid. £50 (safety offence).
  • Obstructing river (e.g. obstructing crews when spinning between Little Bridge and Peter's Posts, failing to pull into the bank for crew chats, slower crew - including power water work - not giving way to faster if safe and possible to do so. £25.
  • No current insurance policy. No club crews or individuals allowed to boat until situation rectified and evidence presented to the CUCBC.
  • Firm pressure above Chesterton (except when allowed as defined by Rule 12.a). Crews attempting starts, half- or proper full pressure receive a £25 fine for the first offence, £50 for a second time in one term, and a one week training ban (including any races) for third offence.
  • Failure to provide an Early Morning Marshal (EMM) £25 for first offence, £50 for subsequent offence; Late arrival of EMM £10; Incompetent EMM £20; Failure of EMM to return report, bib and/or clipboard £10.

Variable Penalty Fines

  • Steering incorrectly, in particular taking the wrong side on blind corners even if no accident caused, £25 - £50.
  • Obstructing crews dangerously, or causing an accident (e.g. on a corner, or by being on the wrong side of the river elsewhere). £50 minimum, with up to a variable length training ban or complete ban of the offending crew from river, depending on the seriousness of the offence. (Also remember that there are possible legal and insurance implications if anyone is damaged or hurt by a crew "in the wrong", especially if victim is not in a College/University club. There is nothing to stop any individual hurt, or club with equipment damaged, from taking legal action against the club/person concerned, or placing the matter with the police).
  • Over-zealous "cutting up" of other crews. Notwithstanding a slower crew's obligation to give way, failure to take sufficient avoiding action by the overtaking crew can lead to a dangerous situation (will generally take the form of rowing through other crews' blades by crews trying to do pieces) £25 - £50.
  • Failure to take account of prevailing weather (e.g. fog/wind) in the type of training done. In particular this will apply to "yellow flag" days and to crews who have boated before flags are raised. Only applicable in case of accident, but then £25 upwards to training ban. Deliberately boating after flags raised, £50/one week ban.
  • Abusive or threatening behaviour by anyone in a crew or coaches on the bank, whatever circumstance (i.e. who is in the wrong may influence the penalty, but will not negate it). £25 upwards, and may include temporary or permanent bans on individuals (including coaches) and/or crews.
  • Excessive noise before 07:30. £20 - £50 initially, doubling on second offence for that crew (in the term), training ban for third offence, race ban for any further offences.