Mosman Rowing Club

Risk Warning

Pursuant to Section 5M of the Civil Liability Act 2002 this RISK WARNING is issued to all persons participating in rowing and related activities conducted by Mosman Rowing Club Inc.
Participants are warned that, regardless of the precautions taken by experienced persons, rowing can be a potentially dangerous pursuit and participants are exposed to significant risk of property damage, physical harm and possible death. These risks may include, but are not limited to:

• Impact with other vessels, the shore, or fixed objects such as moorings, buoys, navigations poles and similar.
• Impact with wholly or partially submerged objects such as logs and rocks.
• Grounding in shallow water.
• Being swamped or run over by another vessel such as a power boat or sailing boat.

• Failure of equipment leading to loss of vessel control.
• Capsizing or entanglement in the water which may result in drowning.
• Vicissitudes of weather and sea conditions which may change suddenly and without warning.

• Over-exertion while rowing, training or competing.
• The absence of immediate medical care and the likelihood that significant delays may occur before medical assistance becomes available.
• Exposure to the elements for extended periods.

The risks associated with rowing may result in injury, and in rare cases could lead to loss of life or permanent disablement. Mosman Rowing Club also warns participants it may be unable to render assistance to participants who are in distress in all situations. Participants are warned to consider the above risks and all other risks before deciding to participate in any rowing activities with Mosman Rowing Club Inc. Participants are also advised that although Mosman Rowing Club is covered by third party liability insurance, this cover DOES NOT extend to participants in a rowing vessel. Any participant who considers they have a need for insurance must make their own private arrangements with an insurer.

Membership Rules - MRC Members

Membership Rules apply to ALL members.  Respecting them will ensure enjoyable, safe rowing and racing for everyone.  We are all members of the one club.  No one is paid to run the boathouse.  With our limited resources and very limited funds we can still operate the boathouse smoothly if we all pull together - just like rowing.  Don't watch others pull more weight than you and don't let anyone pull less! 

ALL MEMBES ARE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR TIME IN THE RUNNING OF OUR CLUB.  THIS WILL INCLUDE WORKING BEES, ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES, COMMITTEE WORK, COACHING AND FUND RAISING.

1. WHAT DO i GET AS A MEMBER?

• MRC boats fall into four categories: High Performance, Development, Club Rowers, and Recreational Rowers.  MRC's online boat booking system enables members to reserve boats, from the category that applies to them.  The boats are labelled within the system for easy identification
• The majority of new members will be using the Club Boats
• Members may only book ONE boat at each booking.  The boat cannot be reserved and then not used.  If you book a boat and then don't need it, unbook so other members have the opportunity to use the boat
• Boat Bookings must be checked before taking out a Club Boat to ensure that coaches or other members have not reserved that boat
• Any member may use the Boat Booking System to reserve a boat, provided it is a category of boat allowed for that member.  A boat can only be reserved 5 DAYS in advance
• Any conflict or dispute regarding the reservation or use of boats may only be resolved by consulting the Captain
• If boats are required for regattas or camps, they must be booked for the period well in advance.  If already booked you must call the booking party and negotiate with them

Boat Log

• NO Recreational, Private or Club boat, or Club tinnie may be used unless the person or crew using it signs it out in the BOAT LOG BOOK (Located at the front of the middle bay near the roller door) and signs it back in on return
• The entry in the log must note the name of the rowers, the boat and the time the boat is taken out and returned, along with any damage sustained or repairs required.  This information is essential for maintaining the club fleet and is an insurance requirement for the club

5. BOAT WASHING AND STORAGE

• All boats are to be washed on the inside and outside after use, then dried with towels provided by the club.  The boats are then to be returned to the correct rack in the correct position
• NO boats are to be left on the trestles outside the shed.  Only fixed racks or mobile trolleys are to be used to store boats.  NO boats are to be stored outside or on the club trailers without the captain's permission
• Permission is required from the Captain to rack or store private boats or equipment in the shed

6. WHAT IF A BOAT IS BROKEN OR DAMAGED

• Breakages and damage are each crew's responsibility. Fix it yourself or advise the captain and ensure it is noted in the Boat Register.  Also email repairs@mosmanrowing.com and detail the damage and or repairs needed
• Depending on the cost and the manner of the breakage or damage, the crew may be charged for the repair
• If you damage a club boat you will be required to provide an Incident Report to the club captain.
• Spare and replacement parts are located under the stairs and at the end of the Middle Bay, or ask the captain or coaches.  Other boats are never to be a source for temporary parts to aid repairs
• Notify the captain of all major breakages or accidents particularly if insurance may be involved
• If you are involved in an accident you must complete a New South Wales Maritime Vessel Incident Report and submit it to the club captain.  See
• http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/docs/forms/vessel_incident_report.pdf
• You should also leave a note on the boat pointing out the damage so other crews don't take the damaged boat out

7. WHAT ABOUT A SPEEDBOAT/TINNIE?

• MRC tinnies are reserved for the club coaches.  The LTR and RFF coaches must defer to the captain and book the approved tinnies for their sessions.  For any boat going over 8hp, coaches will need a current NSW Maritime Licence number
• Ensure the boat has a bailer, life jacket (One for each person in the boat which must be worn at all times on the water), an oar and sufficient fuel before taking it out.  Petrol is stored in the Yellow Fuel Storage area in the trailer area (in the compound) and must be returned to the storage area after use. 
• Please not that tinnies are limited to a maximum of 3 people.  You must ensure you have the correct lighting, including a white surround light 1 metre above the water level
• When using a tinnie, keep your wash down and manoeuvre through the moored vessels on leaving or approaching the pontoon (i.e. well to the north or the south of the 300 metre clearway zone from the pontoon).  The 300metre clearway zone from the pontoon is a "no wash zone'

8. CAN NON-MEMBERS ROW IN CLUB BOATS?

• Non-members may use club equipment, if and only if the following conditions are satisfied
• Where the non-member intends to row in a crew with members to try MRC as a potential club, or as a one off to fill a seat.  The members must be responsible for the actions and behaviour of the non-member and will be responsible for ensuring that the non-member pays the casual rowing fee referred to below;
  • Where the non-member intends to row in a single scull or in a crew where none of the crew are members, the non-member must first obtain the permission of the captain. and
  • The non-member must pay a casual rowing fee of $30 per outing and enter his or her name and address in the Boat Log and the receipt book kept in the First Aid Box on the bench under the stairs.

9. WHAT IF IT IS DARK?

• No boat, club or private, including speedboats will be used before sunrise or after sunset without NSW Maritime approved lights (see http://www.waterways.nsw.gov.au/CodeOfConduct.html for details) - that is a fixed white light on both the bow and stern of the boat.  At least one of these lights must be visible form a kilometre.  Please note a flashing red light is a Port Hand marker which indicates to other boats that you are a fixed object and advising boats coming from behind you to pass you on the bow side of your rowing boat!  Read and understand Waterways Rule 25. 
• Please note that the failure to use light or the use of inappropriate lights may void the club's insurance, particularly on you the rower and third parties.  If coaches allow rowers to go out without lights, they will be held personally responsible and if caught by NSW Maritime will be subject to a heavy fine.  MRC will not be held responsible for any person or crew that does not adhere to Rule 25 which is involved in an accident and remind coaches that they may be held personally liable for any damage that might occur
• If you don't have the appropriate lights you will be asked to wait until daylight or put your boat away
• All occupants of tinnies must wear a life jacket in the dark, this includes the half hour before sunrise, and from the beginning of sunset

10. WHAT DO i NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MIDDLE HARBOUR?