Cold Water Policy & Cold Water Safety
Cold Water Policy
After the specified date, only club boats with four or more oars will be allowed on the water, and club gigs, singles, and pairs will not be allowed out.
This date is not fixed but is intended to be late enough in the season to allow RBC members to train for late fall races such as Fall Speed Orders using club singles.
When skim ice is visible anywhere on the river, no club boats will be allowed on the water. It is strongly recommended that you not row.
In the spring and fall, club boats will be permitted to launch with the 4-oar rule in effect at the Captain’s discretion. The 4-oar rule will be lifted as deemed prudent by the Captain.
In order to encourage safety, dates for accruing mileage for the yearly Rack Requirement and Mileage Award will be from 3/1 to 12/1. Rack holders who are not on track to complete their mileage before 12/1 are encouraged to contact the Captains to discuss the situation.
As a reminder, Riverside's launches are not on the water from Dec 1st to March 1st.
There is no restriction on private single-use, but the club strongly advises members to use extreme caution in deciding whether to row when the water temperature (according to the MIT Sailing Pavilion Temp) is below 50F.
Important links for understanding the danger of falling in water <50ºF
This policy will be posted on the website, and an annual review is strongly encouraged.
Cold Water Safety
The Safety Committee will ensure by email that members have the following information
A link to a video on cold water safety
Wearing a life jacket increases the chance of survival in the event of cold water immersion. You can buy one at Life Vests.
Information about how to help someone who has fallen in
A stipulation that each rower will need their own plan to self-rescue
Rowing singles as a group is not a guarantee of safety.
A list of safety equipment that rowers should take with them
Cell phone
Whistle
Personal Flotation Device
Boathouse keys with a floating keyring
Proper clothing
Have lights until 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset.
Consider avoiding the Basin during colder weather.
The phone number of the State Police Marine Division (617-740-7820), which is a better number to use than 911 in the case of a rower in the water
Review the Charles River Depth Chart and try to row in shallower areas.
Ensure that the club’s indoor safety kits contain at least five mylar blankets each, along with a list of the full contents of each kit so that club members know where these materials are. Instructions are posted on how to assist someone suffering from hypothermia.
The rower accepts full responsibility for their personal welfare when putting their boat in the river
