Managing risks in coastal environments

1. Level 2 Certificate Managing risks in coastal environments 1

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

3. 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 CH16 then • broadcasted on either channel 10 or ch7 • 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

4. 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

5. Description of sea Force Wind Description Speed 0 Calm Sea like a mirror 0 2 1 Light air Ripples but without foam crests 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 Small waves, frequent white horses 13 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 37 8 Gale 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 Severe storm 60 Exceptionally high waves, hiding small ships, sea covered with foam, crests blown into froth, visibility poor 12 Hurricane Air filled with foam and spray, sea white, visibility extremely bad Level 2 Certificate Assessing conditions - wind 5

6. Level 2 Certificate Risk assessment and risk management 6

7. 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

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

9. 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; • Wet or dry • Cloud cover • Temperature • Visibility • Wind speed • Wind direction • Sea State • State of tide • Time of forecast • Ability/experience of the rowers 9

10. 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 • Buoyage - Knowledge of the IALA Buoyage rules (Area A) • and what buoys mean • Sound Signals • Shapes and Lights 10

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

12. Level 2 Certificate Communication • Always, 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 CG66 scheme 12

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

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