Celtic Challenge 2012

Information Pack containing: 1. Information Sheet 2. Rules of the Race 3. List of safety equipment that should be available 4. Map of Arklow 5. Map of Aberystwyth 6. Arklow chart 7. Aberystwyth chart 8. Ferry Times 9. Aberystwyth Tide table for May 2012 10. Aberystwyth Harbour entrance photo Transit marks 11. Aberystwyth harbour plan (not to scale) 12. Aberystwyth Marina plan

Transport by Stena Line Bookings should be made through.  sara.mathias@stenaline.com  and

Merryll.palfreman@stenaline.com     Both ladies have your rates and will happy to help.

You are welcome to copy me in too if necessary. E mail: carl.milne@stenaline.com     

Carl MilnePassenger and Freight Operations Manager, Fishguard-Rosslare +44 (0)1348 404 470+44 (0)7901 517 187                                               

StenaLine Fares

   Car (any type) plus 1 pax £165 return Trailer with boat or empty £165 return Minibus plus 1 pax £180 return Van (commercial type) plus 1 pax £230 return  Extra passengers £15 single, £30 return

Sailing Times: FISHGUARD - ROSSLARE

Vessel Stena Europe operates until 31 December 2012

Stena Europe 

Dep : 02:45 Arr : 06:15

Stena Europe

Dep : 14:30a Arr : 18:00

Sailing Times: ROSSLARE - FISHGUARD

Vessel Stena Europe operates until 31 December 2012

Stena Europe 

Dep : 09:00 Arr : 12:30

Stena Europe

Dep : 21:00a Arr : 00:15

Notes :a. No sailing 24 December 2012

Stena Europe crossing time 3 hrs 30 mins

All persons travelling to Ireland should have photo ID available in case of Security checks.

It is advisable to also obtain anEuropean Health Card

Which should be available fromDHSS

Guideance for towing trailershttp://www.britishrowing.org/publication/trailer-towing-guidance

 

Aberystwyth Rowing Club are organising a bus to transport rowers and their support crews to Fishguard in time to catch the 02.45 ferry on Friday 4th May.  The bus will depart at 11pm on Thursday 3rd May from Aberystwyth Harbour with pick ups on route (e.g. Aberaeron).

  The cost of each ticket is.  Clubs wishing to book tickets

should contact – detailing the number of tickets required.  Once payment has been received tickets will be allocated appropriately.

    .

Bus to Fishguard

There will be a bus/es outside the Euro-port terminal in Rosslare for persons requiring transport to Arklow where it will drop the passengers off outside the Arklow Sailing Club on the North Quay.

There will be a charge for this, 8 euros. Please notify us if you require this service.

Or there is a train service from Rosslare to Arklow.

Bus From Rosslare to Arklow

The weather conditions leading up to the Challenge will be closely monitored.

A 36 hour weather window is required, preferably 48 hours.

The decision to hold the Race will be made on Wednesday 4th May at 19.00.

Team Reps should contact after 19.30: Dai: 07900 953226 or Sonia: 07719 659618

Weather

All Teams, Support Boats & Ribs must be in Arklow by 12 noon on Friday 6th May 2012.

Team reps should report to Mikatcha on arrival. This will enable safety checks to be carried out on

equipment . Also if weather conditions dictate the Race could

start on the Friday night. Team & Support boat briefing at Arklow Sailing

Club at 19.00 unless otherwise informed.

Pre-Race Briefings etc

  EACH ROWING BOAT IS TO CARRY:-  A WORKING BILGE PUMP and bailer as back up Adequate buoyancy to keep boat and all personnel afloat Personal lifejackets, fitted with light* and whistle, for all rowers and coxes,

to be worn at all times during the race Flares. Minimum 3 hand held red pinpoint flares Hand held VHF radio or PMR with a 2 or 3 kilometre range. Ensure good

battery life. Hand held GPS One all round white navigation light not less than 2 metres in height A powerful hand held torch A compass A small radar reflector: – commercial standard to be visible at all times * If the lifejacket doesn’t have a light use a Glow stick, available from

Camping / outdoor stores. Extra Buoyancy is recomended

SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RACE

EACH SUPPORT VESSEL IS TO CARRY:-  Life rafts onboard Lifejackets for all persons. Lifejackets are to be of full support type to

DTI standards NOT buoyancy aids. Flares. Minimum of 4 hand held red, 2 red parachute and 1 orange

smoke flare Working VHF radio Adequate charts and navigational publications to cover the crossing A working GPS navigation system Adequate fuel supply for both RIB and Support vessel to cover the Race. Safe boarding facility for Doctor/Paramedic or for possible

evacuation of casualty in an emergency and to have competent crew support.

  

SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RACE

  EACH INFLATABLE / RIB IS TO CARRY:-  Hand held VHF radio or PMR with adequate battery life Flares. Minimum 3 hand held red pinpoint flares Powerful hand torch Lifejackets must be worn at all times Sufficient fuel GPS, fitted or portable Throwing rescue line. 

SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RACE

Race Safety

This year we will have three Safety Boats, “Ma Chipe”, “Mikatcha” and “Keto”. We will

have Medical cover by a Doctor and a Paramedic they will be based on, “Ma Chipe” and “Mikatcha” and will be able to respond to an emergency anywhere within the fleet of Rowing and Support boats in a short space of time.

We also hope to have Mechanical cover on board “Keto”

Aberystwyth chart.pdf

S.GillI.Brandreth

Stuart Gill (Doctor)

Ian Brandreth (Paramedic)

The medical team Self Care Pre-existing Medical Problems Role of the Medical Team

Introduction

Prevention is better than cure!!

◦ Hypothermia◦ Sea sickness◦ Exhaustion

All 3 of these are interconnected; measures taken to avoid each will help avoid or at least make the others more bearable

Self Care

• Apply common sense– Change of clothes when coming onto support boat– Get below, dry off, get warm, get fed/watered– Look out for crew mates– Serious signs....

• Exertion + wind and water!!! Ideal conditions to get cold

Hypothermia

Acting out of character Slurred speech Inappropriate behaviour

If simple re-warming measures don’t work ask for help

(No direct intense heat on extremities)

Symptoms

Can range from unpleasant to extremely debilitating

Dehydration is your greatest enemy

Sea Sickness

• Look after yourself and crew mates– Take on sweet fluids, no matter how bad you feel– Stay warm, if you’re on deck wrap up warm, try to spend

at least some time below with your head down

• Prevention–Take pills before putting to sea, before

getting sick!!–Patches are very useful if you know you are

badly affected

Physical and mental demands will be high

You need to be adequately fuelled, watered and rested to meet these demands

Exhaustion

• Get as much rest as you can when on the support boat, even early on when you may not feel the need

• Take on plenty of high carbohydrate foods & have a supply of high glucose, energy rich food/drinks for the real low points

• Stay warm, shivering wastes valuable energy

• PLEASE disclose any medical conditions & allergies even if you think they are minor....this also includes all support crews

• All information will be treated in the strictest confidence

• It is vital that we are forewarned in order that proper treatment can be given should the need occur

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

• This information is NOT for vetting purposes, it is purely to keep you safe and offer the best possible medical cover

• Of particular interest– Asthma & any other lung problems– Diabetes– Epilepsy– Allergies– Heart conditions– Pregnancy

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Medical forms have been e-mailed to each team.

It is important that these are filled in for Team members and for Support boat crews.

Medical Forms

What we will do for youAttend any injury/illness that you are unable to deal with,

i.e. anything you would normally attend casualty or call an ambulance/doctor for.

Treat severe sea-sickness, dehydration or hypothermia which is not responding to basic measures

Make decisions on the need for medevac

Provide advice on any conditions or situations you are unsure of

Role of the Medical Team

What we won’t do

◦ Attend to minor injuries only requiring a simple first aid kit

However....◦ If you have tried simple first aid and/or are unsure, call

and we will be happy to give advice.... We would rather you call early for simple advice rather than too late

Role of the Medical Team

For the attention of all Support Boat Skippers

Note for all Support Boat Skippers.From the Coxn of Arklow Lifeboat.Do not trust your charts and attempt to

cross the Arklow Bank at any point, the safe channel across has now filled in.

Go round the south of the Bank between Racon and South Cardinal buoy .

Arklow Bank

If any incident occurs where a Rower or Crewman of a Support Boat is injured, the Support boat should contact either “Mikatcha” or “Ma Chipe” on channel 16 for Medical assistance.

If after inspection by the Medical staff a Medevac is required the Support Boat must obey any instructions given by the Coxn of the Lifeboat carrying out the Medevac.

Medical Emergency

Arklow chart

When approaching Arklow Harbour call “Ma Chipe” on Channel 16 and Mike Harris will give you instructions where you should moor.

For all Support Boats

After the Start of the Race all vessels must pass to the South of the Arklow Lifeboat which will be situated near the south end of the Arklow Bank.

Lat & long co-ordinates will be given to all Support boats at the Briefing in Arklow on Friday 4th May.

Approaches to Aberystwyth & Tide Table

Chart is not to scale and is intended as a guide only.

It shows our local transit marks. The Deep water channel is close to the end of the

Wooden Jetty and once passed the end turn to port and come up the centre of the Channel.

Please note if entering 3 hours after HW do not stray too far to starboard if you are deep drafted.

Aberystwyth Harbour Chart

Local Transit line

W Cardinal Mark

PPView of Harbour entrance at low at equinoxial Springs

Harbour entrance LWS

Main Channel inside Harbour

Aberystwyth Marina plan

Support Boats will have been allocated berth numbers in the Marina.

Food will be provided for all rowers and Support crews in the Boat Club on the Town Quay

Showers will be available in the Boat Club and the Marina

After the Race

Charlie BartlettMike Harris

Additional Support boat safety

If you have any questions we will try to answer them

Questions

Additional material

Slides of a Safety Demonstration Day for Aberystwyth Rowing crews given by:

Mick Fothergill – League Safety Officer. Risk assessment – Andy Cox

SAFETY DEMONSTRATION INTRODUCTION THE BOAT SAFETY ASPECTS - Buoyancy tanks (check integrity), extra buoyancy

bags (2 per boat - strap below seat - take care) Bilge Pump (Check valves – fit strainer), Bailer (secure), pole, Light, radar reflector, reflective tape, check bung (seal with grease).

THE ROWER - clothes (layers – fully wickable – Breathable waterproof outer - especially in the bow) , dealing with cold (Buffalo are great) get out of wet clothes quickly (change socks) get straight into next rowing kit – pile on fleeces and wrap in a fleece blanket , dealing with sea sickness – Any one can suffer from sea sickness (no Alcohol) – Its better rowing in the rowing boat than sitting in the support boat. After rowing take in fluids and energy food – Soup - hot drink whatever, if you feel sick – get warm and lie flat within the boat – when its your turn to row – quickly get into the cockpit and into the rib. A’ Buddy’ system is a very good idea.

If you know you suffer from sea sickness there are medical avenues you should pursue – patches etc – see your doc. SEA SICKNESS DOES NOT STOP YOU FROM ROWING.

CONTENTS OF THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT - Whistle, Knife, Safety Blanket, Torch, Spare clips, Magnifier, Tape, Chocolate. Tape, (glasses), spare lifejacket canisters, Light sticks .

Compass – Iris 30 Nautical compass (luminous – charge with the torch) acts as a normal compass and a sighting compass – Constant bearing means a possible collision.

GPS – all different but all have a series of navigation screens. Switch on allow GPS to fix your position. The basic screen will give you your position (Lat and Long) heading and speed. The goto button allows you to select a destination and the arrow will point towards your selected point. Use The GPS sparingly as the batteries only last 9-12 hours. Do not leave the light on. Everyone in the team should know how this operates .

Arklow – 052 47.78o N Lat. 006 07.87o W. Long South Arklow Bank - 052 40.78o N Lat. 005 59.27 W Long Aberystwyth – 052 24.43 o N Lat. 004 05.73 o W. Long

VHF - The hand-held VHF radio is a helpful piece of kit so carry a VHF. It allows

you to check in for weather updates and local information, it provides you with a

means of emergency communication should you require it. VHF system isn't there

for us to use as a way of chatting to our mates on the water. It is meant as a

means of seeking and providing information and for the rescue services to

communicate and coordinate dealings with emergencies. Top range VHF radios

can be waterproof, rugged, have a long battery life and are easy to use. The

primary operation is straightforward. Just push a couple of buttons and know the

VHF radio operator's protocol.

Channel 16, of course, is the Coast Guard emergency contact station, the distress

channel and is monitored by the majority of sea going folk.

It can also be used to initiate communications with another VHF user. Protocol

requires that when they respond you should move to another suggested "working"

channel.

Working Channel – Each team will be allocated a working channel at the start of the race and you will use this channel to communicate with your support boat and Rib.

There is a strict protocol for use of these radios. I have produced a simple laminated ‘Simple guide’ for their use - please take one. Remember do not swear on the radio, say ‘over ‘when you have finished speaking but expect a reply. Say ‘Out’ when you have finished the conversation.

  If you are in need of emergency help repeat May-Day three times on

channel 16. Stay on the line to answer important questions from the Coast Guard when they answer. If your need is strong but not a life or death situation, repeat Pan-Pan three times.

Whichever, be prepared to describe your situation, position, description and location of your boat. Do this calmly so as to communicate clearly. The laminated guide gives more precise instructions.

Flares You have three red pinpoint flares and one orange smoke flare.

Use the red pinpoints at night and the smoke flare during the day. Only use the smoke flare when the rescue craft is in view. Flares have their instructions on the side – different flares ignite in different ways so familiarise yourself with the instructions and go over them with your team before the event. All the flares are handheld and will burn for between 40 and 60 secs.

Hold the flare away from your body, down wind and over the water. Ignite the flare. The flares burn extremely hot so take great care. Once it has finished throw the spent flare into the water.

 

Lifejackets and man overboard – Everyone must wear a lifejacket with an attached light (and a whistle)

during the challenge – it is a primary rule of the challenge and the law in Ireland. So check that your lifejacket has a working firing mechanism and a full canister. All our lifejackets pass a 24 hour inflation test.

Make sure that your lifejacket fits properly and snugly – consider fitting a crotch strap. Ensure that the pull-toggle is hanging down. Non- swimmers should wear an automatic jacket.

Never wear a life jacket under your clothing. If you do fall in – don’t panic – deploy you lifejacket and try to stay with

the longboat. Make sure your light is on – your lifejacket also has reflective tape and this is very effective. You will be recovered into the rowing boat or the rib. If you are recovered into the longboat two rowers should assist and two should counter balance the boat. Get rowing quickly or wrap yourself in a foil blanket and call for assistance.

Once you are back on the support boat strip off all wet clothes, put on warm clothes and take a hot energy drink. Cuddle up to others to get warm.