Rowing accidents

rebellion

rebellion

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I've noticed that there is a lot of anti-rowing feeling on the forum, and out of interest I'd like to know what kind of problems you've all had with rowers or their coaches.

I'll start the ball rolling with some of my experiences with poor rowing.
Another crew sprinted over my blades once, breaking them and almost capsising me.
I've also had crews turn across the bow of Silver Dragon on account of a coach telling them I would have to stop.

P.s I don't want this thread to turn too acidic, I am after all a rower. I'd just like to know what problems other rowers have caused you in order to coach my beginners better.
 
Most weekends get one turn round right in front of me ie within 50 yards.

I am then supposed to swerve or grind to a halt.
 
I don't think rowers appreciate:-

  • That motor boats are less manoeuvrable than they are
  • Motor boats "drive down the middle" because that causes less wash and bank erosion (that's why rowers overtake on the inside)
  • Whereas when turning they know what they intend but other boats can be unsure of their intentions.

Rowers are there most days of the week and possibly see few other boats, while for boaters rowers are always there - if you get my drift.

It difficult to see any practical solution...
 
Sculls/double sculls/pairs travel faster than motor cruisers but do not keep a good lookout ahead. While 1, and other boaters, do fulfil our requirement to keep a good look out all round, this does not mean that I shall move out of your way unless manifestly safe to do so. Assume it wont be, save in circumstances you probably cant see.

Rowing craft may be 20 feet wide, but only draw a few inches. That's why the motor cruiser goes down the middle a lot of the time. Its not an attemtp to obstruct.

In poor visibility, which can include a very bright sunny day with dark shady banks, rowing craft can be more difficult to spot form a sunny flybridge than you expect. Just like looking into the night outside through the window of a lit room. That beautifully varnished hull does not help. Consider some bright colours on crews or cox.

I spent years and years as a rower, especially single sculs, on the whole you have my sympathy and support for being in a small and possibly unstable craft.
 
Alex, muy most recent was a week ago last Monday. We had moored up on the booms for the henley festival, and a single scull proceeded to row straight into the transom of my boat. He didn't seem to be aware of my presence on the boat, and cursed under his breath "why would you park your boat there?" (bearing in mind this is festival week, where maybe fifty boats would moor on the booms). I replied "why would you not look where you are going?". This made him jump as he thought he was alone - cue sheepish expression and fast exit... No damage done, or a follow up with the club would have in order.
 
I think rowers also underestimate what it takes to stop a largish cruiser... Silver Dragon is six tons. she stops quite well thanks to having twin diesels on shafts, but not all boats have such good "brakes".

Poor observation skills has to be top of the pops when it comes to ROBO sins! Many just do not look round enough.

There are videos on you tube of eights crashing into trees and river-banks ( and then shouting at them for being in the way!).

Rosssavage (who lives on his boat near Windsor Yacht Club) has had members of the local rowing club crash at speed into his moored boat. I understand they wanted to blame him for the collision!:D
 
I would say the main cause of friction between mobos and rowers comes down to people being inconsiderate and failing to pay sufficient attention to what they are doing - and this applies to some mobo-ers as well as rowers.
Previous comments about deeper draft are certainly an issue but I am not so sympathetic about speed - we can and should slow down depending on circumstances - and we do have a 'stop' and 'reverse' option !

Heading upriver through Sunbury on one occasion I found the upper lock cut jam packed with single sculls waiting for a race start - that was fun and gave much entertainment to the people sitting outside the pub.

Heading downriver through Sunbury I have often emerged from the lock to find rowers completely blocking the river with coaches being disinclined to tell them to clear the fairway. When slowed virtually to a stop and politely asked them to do so the response was a curt 'be patient' !
On another occasion screams from behind me to 'get out of the way' turned out to be a women's eight (I hesitate to use the word 'ladies' ) wanting to overtake me and obviously very annoyed that I should have the audacity to be mid stream.

A single scull overturned after rowing into me at Maidenhead some years ago. As I was stationary at the time waiting for them to clear the fairway its difficult to know what else I could have done!

Finally, I swear there are some -mainly younger- who like to play scull chicken. They stop in front of me and then take off like a bat out of hell just when I am beginning to get really nervous about their intentions.
 
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Training support boats: too noisy and don't seem to appreciate the wash they cause and what it does to others.

In most instances rowers (and support boats) seem to believe that the river is theirs to use as they please, that they are always in the right and everyone else should get out of their way.

Finding an appreciative rower who respects other river users is rare.

Always finish on a positive note; how can a rower show his appreciation to others when his/her hands are occupied with oars and movement is restrictive? An acknowledgment with a simple nod of the head - it will be noted (David Sheriff)
 
Never had a problem with rowers, lots of cruisers mind ;)

Think most problems caused are due to ignorance and intolerance on both sides, but mainly its the cruisers as they seem scared of rowers how hard is it to just slow down a bit and keep clear.
 
One further thought - which may be the most important one !

It is becoming obvious that EA patrols are much reduced and self regulation by everyone on the river will be essential. Regrettably, compliance with rules and regulations is inversely proportional to the risk of getting caught !
 
Rowers

steve_clayton said:
Training support boats: too noisy and don't seem to appreciate the wash they cause and what it does to others.

ABSOLUTELY agree: especially at Reading Blue Coat School and one of the clubs from Caversham....


Always finish on a positive note; how can a rower show his appreciation to others when his/her hands are occupied with oars and movement is restrictive? An acknowledgment with a simple nod of the head - it will be noted
Click to expand...

ABSOLUTELY agree again: I've found that most of the rowers from Caversham area will do exactly that...live and let live :-)
 
I try to be as considerate to rowers as possible moving around them, slowing down, stopping etc.

However rowers often seem to be completely unpredictible stopping infront of me to turn a 4 or 8 boat usually with a cox or support boat. The general rule seems to be after they have over taken me so they definitely know I am there!

Multiple boats blocking the river with no where for mobos to go, I will slow down and stop and no one seems to have any intention of moving. Normally at this point the coach/support boat will find this is the perfect time to have a good talk with the rowers.

I know the river is for everyone but rowers seem to think it belongs to them and a bit of curtosey would go a long way. As previous posters have said just a nod of the head or thanks from a support boat would make a big difference.
 
The most spectacular one I saw was when the local rowing club held their regatta on a course past our motor cruising club. One rower drifted out of his lane and ran smack into the stern quarter of a mobo, moored on his club mooring. Had it been a GRP cruiser it would have sustained quite a lot of damage. As it was a steal Pedro, the row boat telescoped along its own length and sank!! It was of course not his fault!!
 
I do wonder if there might be mileage in clubs inviting a representative of local rowing clubs, perhaps a safety boat jockey, along to exchange views.

I'me sure it must happen now and again, just not ever heard of it. By contrast sailing clubs do seem to communicate rather better.
 
I had a Robo hit me whilst I was moored outside Jenners Caf in Maidenhead.
He immediately shouted that he was not insured! I suggested that a polite apology might be more appropriate. He refused to respond politely, so I wrote to the Secretary of his club, who did not reply. I re-sent the letter three times, still no reply.
I can only say as I find, and on the whole rowers on the Thames are rude, ignorant and seem to think that because thier pleasure activity is a sport, it take absolute priority over everyone elses pleasure activity.
One exception was up near Wallingford when a rower said' thank you' to me for slowing down.
Nash
 
A lack of forethought, predominately through facing the wrong way for starters, something i would be arrested and charged for at the helm of a Motor vessel...

Arrogance, and no attempt to display which direction they next need to head in, or what their next intentions may be.

Same as most other members here I would imagine.

Oh, and the noisy chaps in the following vessels, are they called Cox, or Cocks?
 
Nash said:
I had a Robo hit me whilst I was moored outside Jenners Caf in Maidenhead.
He immediately shouted that he was not insured! I suggested that a polite apology might be more appropriate. He refused to respond politely, so I wrote to the Secretary of his club, who did not reply. I re-sent the letter three times, still no reply.
I can only say as I find, and on the whole rowers on the Thames are rude, ignorant and seem to think that because thier pleasure activity is a sport, it take absolute priority over everyone elses pleasure activity.
One exception was up near Wallingford when a rower said' thank you' to me for slowing down.
Nash
Click to expand...

I would have taken the Club to Small Claims Court for the damages. What utter ......
 
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