The function of the water safety officer is to ensure that the policies of the BR and CUCBC are implemented, CUCBC advice taking precedence where there is a discrepancy, since this is an adaptation of BR advice to suit local circumstances. Thus, the functions are, as outlined in the CUCBC general regulations,

1. To ensure and confirm that the appropriate insurance is in place for the club and all its members.
2. To record the names of college oarsmen and women and to confirm that:
   1. They have signed a confirmation that they can swim 50 metres in light clothing.
   2. The club is aware of any medical problems which may affect their rowing ability (any decision on whether they are fit to row rests with the member and their medical advisor).
   3. Members who propose to take to the water in small boats (sculling boats, doubles and pairs (coxed or coxless but not tub pairs), have undertaken a swim test and capsize drill as soon as is practicable.
   4. That they have received a safety briefing and that the date has been recorded.
3. That the safety requirements described in the BR document "Water Safety Code" have been implemented and that the annual safety audit has been completed and returned to the BR regional water safety advisor and copied to the CUCBC water safety advisor.
4. In conjunction with the boatman to ensure that all equipment meets the BR safety standards.
5. That coaches for college crews and for scullers have undergone at least the minimum training, which is attendance at the CUCBC course at the beginning of the Michaelmas term, and later when required (from September 2007), and that they are members of the BR or otherwise insured. If College insurance is deemed to be sufficient a written contract should exist between the coach and the club or college (a written request to coach by a college boat club officer is sufficient).
6. To ensure that the ten golden rules of the CUCBC are available and known to all members.
7. That all coxes are aware of the rules of navigation and adhere to the CUCBC rules.
8. Where a club organises a race open to other clubs, to ensure that the club (not necessarily the safety officer personally) has undertaken a risk assessment and submitted the proposed safety provisions to the CUCBC.

There are other regulations in the CUCBC Handbook relating to behaviour on the water, and the captains are responsible for ensuring that these are observed. All Safety Officers should be familiar with

• The Ten Golden Rules for Safety
• Rules of the River
• The Flag
• Safety Regulations

Contacting CUCBC

Details of current the current CUCBC Committee (with email addresses) are available on the committee page.

You can email the committee at committee[at]cucbc.org.

CUCBC Handbook

Safety Officers may find it useful to refer to the CUCBC Handbook.

CUCBC Safety Advisor

Mark Jacobs (safetyadvisor[at]cucbc.org) is CUCBC's current Safety Advisor.

Website and IT

Safety Officers should ensure that they are subscribed to the Safety mailing list and that their Club Captain has included their name and email address on the relevant Club Information page.

British Rowing Annual Safety Audit

All club safety officers need to be aware of the current Club Water Safety Audit from British Rowing. For more information about how this must be completed, please visit: http://www.britishrowing.org/news/club-water-safety-audit-2009-10 The deadline for completion of the audit is the 31st December 2010. The form should be returned to safetyadvisor[at]cucbc.org as the Regional Water Safety Advisor.