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Tamesis Regatta 2026: Risk Assessment

Linacre Boat Club

Version 2026.2, Thu 15 Oct 2026

Prepared by Fergus Cooper and Sydney Rose

Prior to the event, this risk assessment and the associated Event Plan will be circulated to all involved boat club committees.

Changelog

Version Date Notes
2026.0 2026-07-19 Converted from the 2025 risk assessment
2026.1 2026-10-14
  • Add a risk for limited racing on Low Amber Flag, with its safety controls
  • Add a risk for lack of training time before the regatta
  • Re-rate unrowable conditions after controls, and add rower status restrictions
  • Merge the two risks for ice on the water
  • Add risks for loss of safety cover, crews carried towards the Gut or weir streams, and slips on rafts
  • Re-rate capsize, launch incidents, lightning and pre-existing health conditions at their credible worst-case severity
  • Add this cover block and changelog
2026.2 2026-10-15
  • Update launch cover and Gut transit controls
  • Tighten Low Amber Flag controls

Linking to a risk

Every risk has a permanent anchor on its Hazard row: hover over it and click the symbol to get a link directly to it, e.g. #capsize-submerge.

Each risk states a severity (1–5) and probability (A–E) only; the residual risk shown is always calculated from those two values using the matrix below.

What is residual risk?

The residual risk is the risk remaining after the listed controls have been applied, and not the risk before any mitigation. Its severity and probability already reflect the effect of those controls.

Risks: water-based

Hazard
Capsize or submerge: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Hypothermia, Drowning, Infection, Trapped inside the boat, Collision
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • Rescue with launch. Administer first aid. Warm casualty up slowly.
  • Marshals to fire klaxon to immediately stop racing in the event anyone is in the water.
  • Marshals to carry out boat checks prior to boating (heel restraints, bow ball, hatch covers if applicable). Information on necessary boat checks will be available to marshals. Boats that do not meet the criteria will not be permitted to push off.
  • All competitors must have passed an OURC-approved swim test to qualify for racing.
Hazard
Collision into obstacles or other boats: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Injury to crews/river users, Damage to boats, Damage to moored boats, Crew members in the water
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 3, probability C)
Controls
  • Rescue with launch. Administer first aid.
  • Marshals to fire klaxon to immediately stop racing in the event anyone is in the water.
  • Marshals to liaise with other river users to keep clear of the racing line, and to fire klaxon to stop racing if anything or anyone is impeding the racing line.
  • Marshals to carry out boat checks prior to boating (heel restraints, bow ball, hatch covers if applicable).
  • Crews boating from or landing at Univ cross the racing lanes only between races, under the direction of the Univ marshal and the Senior Umpire.
  • Coxes to attend a briefing prior to the event. All novice coxes must have a bank rider.
  • Circulation pattern sent to all crews in advance; competitors and bank riders are expected to understand and follow it.
  • All competitors must have passed an OURC-approved swim test to qualify for racing.
Hazard
Collision into moored boats: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Damage to moored boats, Damage to rowing boats
Persons at risk
Competitors & moored boat owners
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Low (severity 2, probability B)
Controls
  • Circulation pattern sent to all crews in advance; competitors and bank riders are expected to understand and follow it.
  • In the event of an inevitable collision, marshals should sound the klaxon and racing should immediately stop.
  • In the event of a collision, the event committee will put the offending club in contact with the moored boat owner to discuss options.
Hazard
Collision between a boat and a person in the water: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Injury, Unconsciousness, Drowning
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • Rescue with launch. Administer first aid.
  • Marshals to fire klaxon to immediately stop racing in the event anyone is in the water.
  • Circulation pattern sent to all crews in advance; competitors and bank riders are expected to understand and follow it.
  • Crews entered must be able to row all eight safely; crews that the Senior Umpires or the Event Committee deem unsafe may be asked to land at any point, withdrawn from racing, or disqualified (see the crews racing safely rule).
  • All competitors must have passed an OURC-approved swim test to qualify for racing.
Hazard
Over-exertion: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Injury
Persons at risk
Competitors
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees
Residual risk
Low (severity 3, probability B)
Controls
  • Crews expected to fully warm up on land prior to boating.
  • Captains/coaches expected to enter crews who are physically capable of racing.
  • Crews that the Senior Umpires or the Event Committee deem unsafe may be asked to land at any point, withdrawn from racing, or disqualified (see the crews racing safely rule).
Hazard
Faulty or poorly maintained equipment: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Collision due to steering, Crews trapped in boats, Inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) not inflating
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals
Residual risk
Low (severity 2, probability B)
Controls
  • Competitors are expected to check their equipment is safe to race.
  • Marshals to carry out boat checks prior to boating; information on necessary boat checks will be available to marshals.
  • In the case of a capsize or serious collision, a launch will assist and first aid will be administered.
Hazard
Pre-existing health conditions: boats on the water for racing, or on rafts waiting to push off/land
Consequences
Health implications
Persons at risk
Competitors
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • Crew members are responsible for carrying their own medication if required (e.g. an inhaler).
  • First aid to be administered if applicable.
Hazard
Capsize, collision, or being caught in the propeller: launches on the course
Consequences
Damage to launch, Drowning
Persons at risk
Launch drivers, Passengers
Responsible
Launch drivers, Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • All launch drivers must have an RYA Powerboat Level 2 qualification (or equivalent).
  • All launch drivers and passengers must wear PFDs, in line with the OURCs Code of Conduct.
  • Another launch will assist if needed.
  • Drivers must wear kill cords at all times whilst operating a launch.
Hazard
Capsize, collision, or crash: crews containing visually impaired rowers (not coxswains)
Consequences
Visually impaired athletes may become disorientated in the event of a capsize
Persons at risk
The visually impaired athlete, The crew
Responsible
Launch drivers, Event committee, Captains, Coxswains, Athletes, Boat committees, SU
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • Crews containing visually impaired athletes must identify themselves to the race secretary well in advance of the event. Attempts will be made to schedule these crews to race in broad daylight.
  • Crews should conduct their own risk assessment and have a capsize procedure in place, ensuring the coxswain is confident what to do if the risk occurs.
  • Crews are advised to conduct a clear "numbering off" procedure in the event of a capsize, to ensure all rowers are accounted for and not injured.
  • A launch, the event committee, and the SU will be made aware when crews containing visually impaired athletes are racing, and a launch will be on alert.
  • In the event of a serious collision, capsize, or athlete in the water, a klaxon will be sounded and crews will hold it up immediately to allow a launch to access them. Administer first aid and warm the athlete thoroughly as normal procedure dictates.
Hazard
Loss of safety cover: launch breakdown, or radio or klaxon failure, during racing
Consequences
Delayed response to an incident, Racing not stopped in time
Persons at risk
Competitors, Marshals & river users
Responsible
Event committee, SU, Chief Marshal, Launch drivers
Residual risk
Low (severity 4, probability A)
Controls
  • Three launches are available for the event: the medical launch and two safety launches, as set out in the Event Plan's Launches section, which also sets how many safety launches must be providing cover in each condition. A safety launch can replace the medical launch if it breaks down; racing is suspended while the medical launch is unavailable.
  • Radio checks and klaxon tests are carried out at the marshals' briefing before racing.
  • If a klaxon fails, the marshal says "KLAXON! KLAXON! KLAXON!" on the radio, and all other marshals sound theirs.
  • Marshals carry their own mobile phones, with emergency contact numbers on their clipboards.
  • Racing must stop if the posts of marshals participating in river checks become vacant.
Hazard
Crews carried towards the Gut or weir streams: boats on the water below the start, near Longbridges
Consequences
Loss of control, Collision, Capsize, Entrapment
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
SU and Event committee, Marshals, Coxswains
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • Crews spin under marshal instruction, well clear of the Gut and weir streams.
  • Crews may only go through the Gut as set out in the Event Plan's Transit through the Gut section.
  • The Gut marshal controls crews and river traffic at the Gut, holding them until it is safe to proceed.
  • Rowing in high stream follows the OURCs flag system, and racing is suspended when conditions are unsuitable.
  • Crews are only allowed through the Gut on the intermediate course when both safety launches are providing cover, with one stationed near Longbridges to assist crews below it quickly (see the Event Plan's Launches section).
Hazard
Conditions unrowable: high stream or bad weather leaving novice coxes and crews unable to cope
Consequences
Equipment damage, Rowers injured, Collision, Exertion, Unnecessary stress on novice coxes
Persons at risk
Competitors
Responsible
SU and Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 3, probability C)
Controls
  • Senior Umpire to assess weather and conditions in consultation with the Event Committee to decide if racing is safe to occur.
  • Racing will not take place if the risk is judged unacceptable.
  • Implement rower status restrictions and/or coxing status restrictions at the discretion of the Event Committee.
Hazard
Racing in higher stream: racing on Low Amber Flag (≤ 4.5 bucks equivalent)
Consequences
Crews unable to control their boat, Collision, Capsize, Crews carried downstream towards the Gut and weir streams
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
SU and Event committee, Launch drivers, Coxswains, Boat club committees
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 4, probability B)
Controls
  • Racing on Low Amber Flag only as set out in the Event Plan: on Days 3 and 4 only, and only if there was racing on both Days 1 and 2, so that the least proficient crews have already been eliminated.
  • Short course only, at the discretion of the Senior Umpires and the Event Committee, and only if no other condition (such as wind or visibility) adds to the safety concerns. Never guaranteed.
  • Both safety launches providing cover, with at least one stationed downstream of all marshalling crews. Racing on Low Amber Flag is suspended if either is unavailable (see the Event Plan's Launches section).
  • Every crew must have senior rowers (≥ 3 full terms of rowing experience) at bow and 2, who must still meet all other eligibility rules, such as who may row in women's events.
  • Coxes must be S status, or X status upgraded more than 12 months before the day of racing.
  • No crew may boat from or land at a boathouse downstream of the Gut, or go through the Gut; crews based there must borrow equipment from a club boating above the Gut.
  • Crews that the Senior Umpires or the Event Committee deem unsafe to race on Low Amber Flag may be asked to land, withdrawn from racing, or disqualified (see the crews racing safely rule).
  • Crews must spin upstream of the Greenbanks Marshal, who stands where the Senior Umpire directs, so any crew below that point is clearly in the wrong place. Crews landing at Longbridges instead spin above the raft under the direction of the Longbridges Marshal, and drift back to land with bows pointing upstream.
  • Entrants notified by 5pm the day before, so crews can arrange senior bow pairs, eligible coxes, and borrowed equipment where needed.
Hazard
Struck by lightning: crews, marshals and the event committee caught in a storm while racing or at the riverside
Consequences
Electrical burns, Shock
Persons at risk
Competitors, marshals and event committee
Responsible
Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee, SU
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 5, probability A)
Controls
  • All crews to leave the water and seek appropriate shelter immediately; the "30-30 Rule" is used, as advised by British Rowing.
  • Senior Umpire issues instructions to everyone at the river by radio.
  • Crews that have yet to boat should not push off, and should seek shelter.
  • Crews that have pushed off and are warming up or waiting to race should land under marshal/umpire instructions.
  • Crews that are mid-race may be advised to stop or complete the race; the safest course of action is decided by the SU.
  • Once crews have landed they must seek shelter, preferably within a boathouse. No crews may boat again until the SU/Event Committee has deemed it safe to do so.
  • Coxes are briefed on what to do in the event of lightning at the pre-event briefing.
Hazard
Crews become too cold: extreme cold
Consequences
Mild hypothermia, Cold muscles leading to injury, Delayed reaction times
Persons at risk
All competitors, especially coxswains
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Marshals, Boat club committees
Residual risk
Low (severity 2, probability C)
Controls
  • Rowers to complete a full warm-up on land prior to boating.
  • Competitors to wear sufficient layers during warm-up and racing, and bring a change of dry kit for afterwards.
  • During the coxing briefing, it will be stressed that all crews should bring a dry change of kit, and the signs of hypothermia will be covered.
  • SU and event committee to monitor conditions and make a judgement call on extreme cold.
Hazard
Marshals become too cold: extreme cold
Consequences
Mild hypothermia, Delayed reaction times
Persons at risk
Marshals and event committee
Responsible
Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 2, probability D)
Controls
  • Marshals advised to wear plenty of layers beforehand.
  • Regular welfare checks for marshals, with warm drinks available at race desk before and after shifts.
  • Marshals made aware of the warning signs of hypothermia prior to their shift.
  • SU and event committee to monitor conditions and make a judgement call on extreme cold.
Hazard
Collision: ice on the water
Consequences
Equipment damage, Injury
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Event committee, SU
Residual risk
Low (severity 3, probability B)
Controls
  • SU, event committee, race officials and marshals to monitor weather conditions.
  • Launches to clear small quantities of ice from the racing course.
  • Racing cancelled if launches cannot sufficiently clear the course of ice.
Hazard
Collision, or the outcome of a race undetermined: low visibility (fog)
Consequences
Equipment damage, Injury
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Low (severity 3, probability B)
Controls
  • SU and event committee to monitor conditions.
  • Use adequate lighting on boats.
  • If visibility is reduced to less than 100m on any part of the racing course, racing is suspended or cancelled.
Hazard
Collision, or the outcome of a race undetermined: low visibility (failing light)
Consequences
Equipment damage, Injury
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Boat club committees, Marshals, Event committee
Residual risk
Low (severity 3, probability B)
Controls
  • SU and event committee to monitor conditions. Use adequate lighting on boats.
  • All boats must have lights if they will be on the water 1 hour before sunset.
  • If visibility is reduced to less than 100m on any part of the racing course, racing is suspended or cancelled.
Hazard
Novice crews unable to race safely: high stream or bad weather leading to a lack of training time before the regatta
Consequences
Equipment damage, Rowers injured, Collision
Persons at risk
Competitors & river users
Responsible
SU and Event committee
Residual risk
Moderate (severity 3, probability C)
Controls
  • Senior Umpire to assess the recent history of weather and conditions that allowed training, in consultation with the Event Committee, to decide if racing is safe to occur.
  • Captains to take extra care that their crews are safe to race, bearing in mind the standing recommendation that each novice rower has had no fewer than 5 training outings before racing; crews that the Senior Umpires or the Event Committee deem unsafe to race may be asked to land, withdrawn from racing, or disqualified (see the crews racing safely rule).
  • Implement rower status restrictions and/or coxing status restrictions at the discretion of the Event Committee.

Risks: land-based

Hazard
Collision or injury: boats being moved on the land
Consequences
Injury to crews, Injury to bystanders
Persons at risk
Competitors, Bystanders
Responsible
Coxswains, crews
Residual risk
Low (severity 2, probability C)
Controls
  • Crew and coxswains to remain aware of surroundings when manoeuvring boats (few spectators expected).
  • Contact marshals/race desk if first aid is needed.
Hazard
Collision involving accompanying cyclists or pedestrians: bank riders accompanying crews on the towpath
Consequences
Injury to cyclists and pedestrians, Falling in the river
Persons at risk
Bank riders, Pedestrians
Responsible
Bank riders, Boat club committee
Residual risk
Low (severity 1, probability D)
Controls
  • Bank riders must check bikes have working brakes and lights, and are advised to wear a helmet whilst cycling.
  • One bank rider is permitted per crew, unless training novice coxes, in which case approval must be obtained from the event committee.
  • Expected spectator numbers are low, and few crews are on the course at once (two at a time in side-by-side racing), so the chance of collision with spectators is low.
  • Marshals to fire klaxon in the event anyone is in the water, and launches to assist with first aid administered.
Hazard
Collision, possible immersion, or falling off a bike: ice on the towpath
Consequences
Injury to cyclists and pedestrians, Falling in the river
Persons at risk
Bank riders, Pedestrians
Responsible
SU and Event committee
Residual risk
Low (severity 3, probability B)
Controls
  • SU and event committee to assess conditions.
  • If deemed not bikeable, the event may be cancelled or restricted to only X/S coxes, so bank riders are no longer required.
Hazard
Slips and falls on rafts and landing stages, which may be wet or icy
Consequences
Injury, Falling into the river, Cold water immersion
Persons at risk
Competitors, Coxswains, Raft marshals
Responsible
Crews, Coxswains, Raft marshals, Boat club committees
Residual risk
Low (severity 3, probability B)
Controls
  • Crews and marshals to take care on rafts, especially when wet or icy; raft marshals keep rafts clear while crews boat and land.
  • SU and event committee to assess icy conditions, as for ice on the water and towpath.
  • Marshals to fire klaxon in the event anyone is in the water, and launches to assist with first aid administered.
  • All competitors must have passed an OURC-approved swim test to qualify for racing.

How levels are calculated

The level of risk is read off this matrix by severity (rows) and probability (columns). It is generated directly from risk_matrix.yml, the same file the badges above are calculated from.

A B C D E
5 Moderate Substantial Intolerable Intolerable Intolerable
4 Low Moderate Substantial Intolerable Intolerable
3 Low Low Moderate Substantial Intolerable
2 Low Low Low Moderate Substantial
1 Low Low Low Low Moderate
Probability definitions
  • A: Highly improbable (has not been known to happen in rowing)
  • B: Improbable (has been known to happen in rowing)
  • C: Possible (could happen to about 1% of the club's active members per decade)
  • D: Probable (could happen to about 1% of the club's active members per year)
  • E: Highly probable (could happen to about 10% of the club's active members per year)
Severity definitions
  • 1: Slight injury or health effect (requires little or no treatment; no need to take time off rowing or training) / Minor damage to equipment (<£100)
  • 2: Minor injury or health effect (requires First Aid or rest; potentially a few days off rowing or training) / Damage repair costs low (£500)
  • 3: Moderate injury or health effect (requires treatment beyond simple First Aid; potentially a week or so off rowing or training) / High damage repair costs (>£1000)
  • 4: Major injury or health effect (requires hospital treatment for more than one day; potentially a few weeks off rowing or training) / Very high damage repair costs (loss of boat, 3rd party damage)
  • 5: Fatality or life-threatening injury or health effect (could end a rowing career or cause hospitalisation for a few months) / Major damage & major costs (loss of several boats, high 3rd party damage)
What each level means
  • Low: An acceptable level of risk. No additional barriers/controls are required. Start or continue the activity but check that the current barriers/controls remain effective.
  • Moderate: An acceptable level of risk that should be reviewed. Implement additional barriers/controls to reduce the risk if the opportunity arises. Start or continue the activity with care.
  • Substantial: An unacceptable level of risk. Improve the barriers/controls and allocate resources to reduce the risk. Do not start or continue the activity until the risk has been reduced.
  • Intolerable: An unacceptable level of risk. Improve the barriers/controls and allocate resources to reduce the risk. Do not start or continue the activity until the risk has been reduced. Prohibit the activity if it is not possible to reduce the risk.