Safety

SafeSport

USRowing strongly encourages the reporting of all forms of misconduct.

All reports involving sexual misconduct must be submitted directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport at https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/ or 833-5US-SAFE (587-7233), as well as to state and local enforcement agencies as required.

All other reports of misconduct  – including emotional misconduct, physical misconduct, and violations of the MAAPP – may be reported to USRowing. USRowing encourages initial reporting of such matters to the relevant member organization using the member organization's internal reporting processes. If you and your student are unable to resolve an issue with a BHS Crew coach directly, reach out to our team Ombudsman (ombudsman@berkeleyhighcrew.org) to help in facilitating a solution. 

If the issue remains unresolved or is not susceptible to resolution at the BHS Crew organization level, it may be reported to USRowing.

Medical Emergencies

A plan of action for of medical emergencies has been drafted by the coaches and board.

1. In event of a medical emergency, (911) will be contacted immediately and the coach will call the rower’s parents/ guardians or physician.

2. In event of a significant non-medical emergency injury or illness, the coach will contact the parent/guardians of the injured/ill rower and will make sure that the injured/ill rower is safely transported home by parent or other adult if the parent cannot come to transport the rower.

3. The following forms will be kept at an accessible location at the dock and BHS workout room: Emergency card, health forms, maps and directions to hospitals, emergency contact list, and parent and rower rosters.

Boat Safety Practices

These points are reviewed with all rowers in the fall and spring to inform and reinforce safety regulation and practices:

• Coaches in launches accompany the shells at all times. Coaches and all passengers are required to wear life vests in the launches. Every launch shall have approved flotation devices, a strong lantern, a fire extinguisher, a bailer, and a charged cell phone for emergency use

• If the boat swamps (fills with water) or turns over, stay with the boat! It will not sink. Hang on to it until you are picked up by a launch. If staying put is dangerous, you may swim to greater safety, but only by using an oar as a flotation device (which also saves the oar).

• If you catch a crab (your oar catches in the water incorrectly) and are thrown overboard (a rare occurrence), try to keep your head down until the boat has passed. Try not to panic. Come up and tread water. The coaches’ launch will pick you up. The remaining crew should stop rowing immediately and provide help.

• When in the boat and on the water, follow the instructions of the coxswain and coaches quickly and properly.

The coaches and coxswain know how to control the boat and keep practices as safe as possible.

The coaches do a thorough analysis of weather before launching the boats; if changeable weather is expected, rowers will remain off the water for a land practice. Boats may go out during periods of light rain, at the discretion of the coaches. The coaches go through a rigorous safety training program every fall, where they review water rescues, boating safety, first aid and emergency procedures. They also carry two-way radios to monitor Coast Guard activity while out in the ship channel and have running lights for the bow/stern of all shells during early morning and later evening workouts.