Coxing Check-list

This is a list of items which coxes should check prior to an outing. These checks must be carried out regularly, and prior to every night-time outing, to ensure that the boat is fit to row and is unlikely to break down during an outing.

* Bow-ball must be fitted and secure, not split or perished.
* All hatches must be covered (hatches can be taped over in an emergency but arrange to have the cover replaced)
* Rigger bolts and top-bolts should be tight
* All heel-restraints must be fitted and secure; the sole of the shoe must not lift above the horizontal.
* The rudder should move freely, there should be no fraying or chafing of the rudder lines, and the rudder top-bolt should be tight.
* The cox must wear a suitable life-jacket or buoyancy-aid; life-jackets must not be worn under other clothing. Note that only a manual life-jacket may be used in a bow-coxed boat.

For night-time rowing only

* White lights must be securely fitted to bow and stern, each with at least 180 degrees of illumination. Fit a lanyard if lights are fixed using suction cups.
* A flashing red light must also be shown at the stern
* Cox and Bow must wear reflective clothing
* Thermal blankets must be carried, at least three in a four, five in an eight
* A throw-line should be carried unless there is a bank-party who should be carrying one
* A first-aid kit must be brought to the boathouse; it can be left behind or taken in the boat
* A mobile phone must be carried by cox, a crew member, or the bank-party
* Cox and bank-party (if present) should be able to communicate via radio-link or telephone
* In the absence of a bank-party, the cox should have arranged for someone to be on-call in case of emergency

Page last updated 4/5/2008 AIN