I wanted to reach out to reach out to the CBC rowing community about safety on the river during the weeks leading up to the Head of the Charles.

In October 1989 a CBC sculler named Pat Isenberg was heading upstream, in a proper spot on the river, and was struck by a coaching launch coming downstream and swinging wide. He died from his injuries.

In October 2002 a RBC sculler was in the middle of a narrow spot on the river, passing a boat on a turn and was impaled by an 8+. He survived but became a New England Journal of Medicine Trauma 1 case study.

If we don't remember these unfortunate incidents -- with significantly more boat and launch traffic in 2011 -- history could repeat itself.

A few suggestions on safety -

1) Be Seen: Club-approved bow and stern lights are mandatory before sunrise and after sunset. Keep some extra batteries in your car. Reflective, bright clothing is a very good idea.

2) Avoid Boat Traffic: Stay to the sides and away from the middle of the river. Try to use the river above and below the HOCR course whenever possible. Try to practice during non-peak hours whenever possible.

3) Slow Down Near Bridges and Boathouses: The posted speed limit through bridges is 6MPH = 2.66M/Sec = 3:08/500M. Watch out for coaching launches. Watch out for boats launching, crossing and landing. Watch out for big boats and launches swinging wide around turns. We will be communicating this concern to other clubs and schools on the river.

4) Civility: There will be many new coaches and rowers on the river. As the HOCR gets closer, competitive behavior will increase. Please be polite to an extreme. If we need to go to another institution with a real problem, we don't want it side-tracked by post-incident language or behavior.

5) Eyes Wide Open: Stay aware. Look far upstream. Look for boats where they shouldn't be, coming from any and all directions. Look around more often. Mirrors are not enough. Add some neck stretches to your pre-row warm-up.

All of this is fairly common sense, but needs to be front of mind. To revisit one point, as we get closer to the HOCR, the darkness will last longer, and the number of boats on the water and at racing speed will increase significantly. Juggle your schedule a few days a week in October and avoid the weekday 6AM-7AM peak period. Some of my favorite rows are in October, when I start at 7AM, everyone else is finishing and I have the river to myself. You may get to work an hour late, but the quality and safety of the row will be worth it.

Thanks for reading to this whole memo! I look forward to seeing you at the boathouse.

Best regards,

Greg

• Quoting the traffic pattern document:   From Labor Day through Thanksgiving, from 5 am until 1 pm, the center arches of Western and River street bridges are upstream only, to accommodate crews and scullers training for the Head of the Charles regatta. In the afternoon, the center arches resume being bi-directional.
• When using the center arches, all boats should stay to the right side of the river, and side arches should still be used as standard. 
• Also remember that powerboats appropriately use the center arches in both directions so PLEASE use caution, especially at Weeks and Eliot.

• We have heard that the DCR plans to repair the railings of the Weeks Footbridge.  Little is known about this project, though we do know that barges and cranes will be used.  We do not expect work to begin until late September, and have asked that the Cambridge arch be closed first but little information has been forthcoming.  We'll let you know more when we know more, but keep your eyes open.
• Longfellow has scaffolding and at least 3 barges working and they move.  Take a good look before proceeding and keep an eye out for diving flags.  The center arch is still off limits to all rowing traffic, as it always is.
• BU is nearly complete and all remaining work will take place on the roadway.  However, barges will reappear at some point to take down the scaffolding.
• Work on Anderson will not begin until January, but it is possible that sampling at Anderson, River or Western may take place.  If we hear that there will be barges or divers, we'll let you know (many thanks to MassDOT for good communications).

In order to receive wholesale pricing, the minimum order is 6 jackets. The price of the jackets is $180.  which includes shipping and personalization. They run true to size and come in unisex sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL. If you are not sure of which size to order, there are numerous athletes at the club who already own a jacket to try.

Please note that your check, size and personalization information must be submitted before your order can be placed. You can email your order information to me, but all checks must be made out to me and either left at the front desk or mailed directly to me: Laurie Tenaglia, 8 Carmel Circle, Lexington, MA 02421. Orders generally take about 3 weeks, so you can expect the jacket towards the end of May.  Friday, September 23 is the absolute deadline for this order.

If you have any questions please contact Laurie at:  E-mail Laurie Tenaglia