Coxing at Dell Quay

COXING

The Cox is responsible for

The control of the boat and crew
The Safety of the boat
The wellbeing of the crew
Teaching good technique
Making sure everyone is happy and has a good time

Cox qualifications

In order to become a Cox the club requires that you undertake some training and undergo an assessment before being signed off as a Dell Quay Cox.

First is a theory session which will cover session planning, safety, weather, tides, pilotage, collision regulations, emergency procedures.

This will be followed by an on the water session where you will be shown some of the boat handling skills required to safely manage the boat.

We will then ask you to practice the skills you have learnt. This can be done during a normal row session where you will be invited to cox the boat under supervision of a qualified Cox.

Once you are confident in your boat handling and coxing skills you will then be assessed by two of the clubs senior Coxes or an external examiner.

Coxing is not difficult, most people pick it up very quickly.

In order to keep your qualification current we ask that you Cox the boat regularly. This helps keep your skills current and helps share the responsibility. If you have not Coxed the boat for twelve months we may ask you to undertake a refresher under supervision of an approved Cox.

Practical skills

As a cox you will be expected to carry out the following manouevers safely and demonstrate the use of good crew communication skills whilst completing those maneuvers.

Launching and recovering the boat from a beach.
Bringing the boat alongside a jetty and securing the boat to that jetty.
Leaving a jetty.
Bringing the boat to a controlled stop touching a buoy (as in picking up a mooring).
Recovering a man overboard.
Rowing 360 degrees round a buoy, bow side and stroke side.
Rowing backwards.
Ferry gliding using a transit line.

As a natural part of these maneuvers you will be expected to demonstrate an awareness of tide and wind and the effect they have on the boat. You will also be expected to demonstrate the use of different rower combinations and how they can be used to help control the boat.

Theory skills

As a Cox you will be expected to demonstrate good knowledge of the following and the ability to make decisions about boat and crew safety based on this information.

Boat Checks - How to check the boat is seaworthy.
Launching and Recovery - Getting the boat in and out of the water safely.
Boat Set Up - Making sure the rowers are properly set up in the boat.
Crew management - Assessing your crew's ability and the effect that has on your passage plan.
Passage planning - How to plan a safe and enjoyable trip
Weather - Knowledge of the weather and how to use that knowledge when planning your trip.
Lightning - Be aware of the dangers and what to do if caught in a lightning storm.
Tides - Knowledge of tides and how to use that knowledge when planning your trip.
Pilotage - How to safely navigate a boat around the harbour
Buoyage - Knowledge of the various navigation marks and other signage you may come across in the harbour and how to use them.
Collision Regulations - Knowledge of the Collision Regulations and what to do in the vicinity of other vessels.
Harbor Regulations - Knowledge of the harbour regulations.
Health and Safety - How to keep you crew and boat safe.
Emergencies - Knowledge of what to do in an emergency and how to contact the emergency services.
Man Overboard - How to safely recover a man overboard and deal with a casualty
Towing - How to safely tow Seafox.
Crew welfare - How to keep your crew safe, healthy and happy.
Coaching - The ability to instruct a rower in the correct rowing technique.
Etiquette - Respect for other water users and wildlife.
First Aid - Whilst not a requirement of the course it is good practice to keep your first aid certificate up to date.

Buoyancy Aids

The Cox should wear their buoyancy aid when in the boat.

It is up to the Cox to decide if the conditions are such that the rowers need to wear their buoyancy aids. In general rowers do not have wear their buoyancy aid since it restricts movement but they must be readily available.

Boat Checks

Before you take the boat out please check it over and make sure it is seaworthy.

Carefully remove the cover.
Locate the oars, seat cushions and rudder which are kept in the sail loft.
Check the bung is in.
Check for any damage.
Check the gates and lubricate them if needed (silicone or PTFE spray).
Check the rudder is correctly secured and the retaining ring is fitted.
Check the boat is properly dressed for the occasion and flying the club burgee.
Check the seat cushions are secure.
Check the emergency and first aid kit is in the stern locker along with the tow rope.
Check the crew all have buoyancy aids and appropriate clothing / hats / sunscreen / water.
Check there is a means of making contact with the emergency services on board, mobile phone or VHF radio secured in waterproof cases.

Launching and Recovery

To avoid damage to Seafox and injury to the crew the trolley should be submerged so that the boat can be easily floated on and off the trolley. The guide roller at the back of the trolley should be submerged a few inches under the water. Please be careful when manoeuvring the trolley down the ramp and make sure that no one is standing behind the trolley. Please place the trolley back in it berth when out on the boat so as not to obstruct the quay for other users.

Boat set up

Before setting out think about who sits where in the boat. Balance up the rowers so you have equal power on either side of the boat. Generally, the two most powerful rowers should be in the centre of the boat. That is the most stable part of the boat and nearest to the centre of lateral resistance so has least effect on steerage.

Your Stroke must be able to keep a constant stroke rate, adapt their stroke if required, and demonstrate good technique to less experienced rowers. The rower in the bow is often forgotten but is equally important since they have a big impact on steerage particularly in close quarters situations.

Check if anyone has physical issues or injuries in order that they can be allowed for as far as possible. Encourage your rowers to try new positions particularly the Stroke position. If you have beginners with you try to place them in the centre of the boat so that they can more easily follow the stroke and hear your instructions. It also allows the bow to pick up on anything you cannot see. If the conditions are suitable the cox should encourage the crew to have a go at Coxing. It is best in those situations if the qualified Cox takes the Stroke position so that they can talk to the trainee Cox and instruct them. Please remember that as the qualified Cox you are still in overall charge of the boat and responsible for its safety. Sometimes due to the mix of crew there may not be an ideal boat set up in which case focus on trying to balance the power on either side of the boat otherwise you will be constantly using the rudder to compensate.

Crew Management

Running an efficient boat is as much about crew management as it is about boat skills. Everyone has to work together for the boat to function efficiently and safely.

Engage with you crew and find out what they want to do and tailor the row accordingly, leisurely coffee row, workout, training session, or a mixture. Encouragement goes a long way, get you crew to work as a team and support each other.

Communicate with your crew during the row, keep them advised of progress, tell them what you are doing and why, point out the birdlife, keep them engaged and happy.

In high winds it can be difficult for the Bow to hear what the Cox is saying.
The Cox should project their voice and if necessary, ask the crew to acknowledge that they have heard the instruction by repeating it back to the Cox.

Passage Planning

Whilst the Cox has the final say about any passage plan, engage with your crew and get them to share in the passage planning process. Check the weather forecast, tide times, tide height, daylight hours before you go and allow for them in your passage plan.
Allow for the crew's ability and your own experience. We should not be afraid of taking the boat out in more challenging conditions, but it does need to be within yours and the crews capability.
Familiarise yourself with any hazards on your intended route.
Before you go, please complete the rowing log with details of the passage plan / destination, weather, tide times, crew names, time of departure and estimated return time.
Unless the conditions are favourable it is not recommended that you have more than two beginners or inexperienced rowers in the boat at any one time. Please be flexible with your plan and intended destination. If the weather changes or the tide turns there is nothing wrong in revising your plan. If the sun is shining and it is a nice day make the most of it and explore a bit further. If you lose daylight or have problems which delay you, please notify someone ashore it will save a lot of anxiety.

Weather

Check the weather forecast before you take the boat out and plan you trip taking account of the forecast conditions. There are many places to obtain a weather forecast and everyone will have a favourite. It is often good to look at several sources of information and compare them. Within the Harbour there are a number of weather monitoring stations which give real time weather reports, Cambermet is the nearest one to Dell Quay. As a last minute check have a look at the Dell Quay web cam to check the current conditions at the club. Think about the wind direction, even in reasonably strong winds it is often possible to find protected areas of the harbour which will give you a pleasant row. Look at the weather forecast the day before you intend to row and keep an eye on the forecast to see how it develops. Please bear in mind that some of the crew may live some distance away and if the weather forecast is doubtful, it may be better to cancel the day before.

Lightening

Lightning kills.
A small boat on the water during a storm is at risk of a lightning strike.
Practise the rule of 30/30. When you see lightning count the seconds until you hear the thunder. If the time interval is under 30 seconds it means the storm is less than 10 kilometres away.
Head to shore and seek safe shelter. When ashore get everyone to move away from the boat and take their buoyancy aid and seat cushion with them. Try and find an open area away from trees or other tall structures.
Get everyone to sit on their buoyancy aid / cushion and pull their knees into their chest. Tuck your head down and cover your ears with your hands.
Wait for 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning before getting back on the water.

Tide

Check the tide times and the range of tide before you go and allow for it in your passage plan.
Familiarise yourself with the rule of twelfths. The tide will be weakest during the two hours either side of high or low water and will be strongest at the midpoint between high and low water.
Understand the difference between Spring and Neap tides. The tidal range on Spring tides will be more and on neap tides it will be less. The tidal flow on Spring tides will be more and on Neap tides it will be less. Neap tides generally provide you with more flexibility.
Use the tide to your advantage. The tide in a deep water channel will always be stronger than it is in shallower water, the tide on the outside of a bend will always be faster than it is on the inside of the bend, eddies or still water will often be created behind a sand spit or headland.
Plan your trip carefully, do not fight against a foul tide unless you have to and make sure you have sufficient water for your planned departure and arrival time.

Pilotage

Finding your way round the harbour is fairly straightforward but you should still make sure you are aware of any hazards on your planned route.
There are a number of gravel spits which stick out into the harbour, most of them are fairly obvious and you can see the disturbed water around them, familiarise yourself with their locations.
There are also a number of launching jetties some of which are covered at high water, again familiarise yourself with their locations.
Be very careful amongst moored boats particularly in strong tidal conditions. Keep well up tide of buoys or any moored boats.
If rowing at weekends watch out for the racing fleets and try to avoid the it makes your row a lot less stressful.
During the bird nesting and seal breeding seasons the harbour conservancy request that we avoid certain areas of the harbour. Familiarise yourself with those restrictions.

Buoyage

Whilst due our very shallow draft we are not restricted to the main channels it is sensible to have an understanding of the buoyage in the harbour.
The main channel is marked by red cans and green cones. When entering a harbour or going upstream the red cans will be on your port side and the green cones will be on your starboard side. When leaving a harbour or going downstream you view them in the reverse position.
Danger areas are often marked by Cardinal marks which are placed to the North, South, East or West of the danger. Cardinal marks have black and yellow markings with two cones on top, the markings and the cones denote which point of the compass they represent.
North cardinals have both their cones pointing upwards and indicate safe water to the North.
South cardinals have both their cones pointing down and indicate safe water to the South.
Westerly cardinals have two cones pointing inwards and denote safe water to the West.
Easterly cardinals have two cones pointing outwards and denote safe water to the East.
Wrecks may be marked by a yellow and blue buoy or a post.
Isolated danger may be marked by a red and black buoy or a post.
There are a number of fixed race marks round the harbour normally a yellow or grey can or buoy. There is a plan of all the race marks on the Chichester Harbour Federation website and it is helpful to know where they are especially when there may be dinghy racing going on in the harbour.

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

The regulations are there to prevent collisions and you have an overriding duty under the regulations to avoid a danger and prevent a collision even if you may be the stand on vessel.
Under the regulations Seafox is classed as a powered vessel the same as any vessel using an engine for propulsion.
This means that Seafox has to give way to sailing vessels, vessels restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, vessels restricted by their draught, vessels fishing and vessels not under command. If in doubt we give way.
You are required under the rules to keep a good lookout. Ask the Stroke to keep you advised of any vessels approaching from behind.
If you are rowing in the main channel you must keep to Starboard.
If you are crossing the main channel, you should do so as near to 90 degrees as is possible and as quickly as possible.
If you meet another powered vessel head on you should turn to Starboard.
If another powered vessel is crossing your path from Starboard, you must give way to them by altering your course to Starboard so as to pass under their stern.
If another powered vessel is crossing your path from Port, then you are the stand on vessel and must maintain your course and speed. If the other vessel is clearly not going to give way, then you must alter your course to Starboard.
If you are the overtaking boat you have a duty to keep clear of the boat being overtaken. An overtaking boat is defined as a boat 22.5 degrees abaft the beam of the boat being overtaken.
Seafox draws very little water use it to your advantage and keep out of the main channel.
If you think ahead, you can avoid close quarters engagement with most other vessels
Always assume that other vessels are ignorant of the rules and keep a careful distance.
Please familiarise yourselves with the full regulations.
If you do find yourself in the middle of a dinghy racing fleet stop and give way.

Who gives way?

Harbour Regulations

Chichester harbour comes under the control of The Chichester Harbour Conservancy. Please familiarise yourselves with the harbour regulation, copies are available from the Harbour office or on their website.
Chichester Harbour is a very important site both for wildlife and marine conservation. It is designated, an AONB, an SSSI and a special protected areas under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Most of the regulations in the harbour relate to the protection and preservation of that habitat and the wildlife that lives within it.
More detailed information is available from the Conservancy website and it adds another level of interest to your rowing if you know a bit about the ecology of the harbour and you can identify your Curlew from your Oyster Catcher.

https://www.conservancy.co.uk/

Health and Safety

Health and safety is generally a matter of common sense but there are a few specific areas we should consider when using Seafox.
The water quality in the harbour is generally very good, but at times of heavy rain the sewage treatment plants serving the local area may be overwhelmed and discharge raw sewage into the harbour. Please encourage everyone to wash their hands after being on the water but especially so when there is a risk that the water quality may be affected.
The Harbour Conservancy and Chichester District Council regularly test the water and further details can be obtained from the Conservancy or Council websites.
When manoeuvring Seafox down the ramp please be careful to make sure it does not run away with you.
The oars are longer than you think please remind everyone to be careful when stowing them or carrying them to and from the boat.
When coming alongside a pontoon please remind everyone to keep their hands clear of the pinch point between pontoon and gunwale.
Please remind everyone to be careful on the pontoons, they can be slippery, especially the sloping ramp leading to the Conservancy pontoon.
Please make sure everyone is careful when getting into too and out of the boat, particularly if they have any disabilities.

Emergency Procedures

It is not possible within the scope of these notes to provide a detailed explanation of how you would deal with every emergency situation. These notes are intended as a general guide only. Think about how you might deal with an emergency and hopefully you will never be faced with that situation.
In the event of an emergency situation your priority assessment process should be as follows.

Is Seafox and its crew in danger, if so move them out of danger.
Is the casualty responsive and breathing.
If not immediately contact the emergency services and start CPR.
If the casualty is responsive move on to the ABC checks, Airways, Breathing, Circulation.
Decide how best to treat the casualty and get them to safety.
If you are in any doubt notify the emergency services.
You can cancel the call later if you manage to get matters under control or the casualty improves.

Remember you still have to look after the boat do not let it drift into danger. Designate one crew member to look after the casualty. The remaining crew can keep the boat head to wind or start moving it to a safe destination. You will need to manage communication with the emergency services.

The emergency services can be contacted by mobile phone or VHF radio.
By mobile phone.

Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Be prepared to provide the Coastguard with the following information.
Your position - for example - we are in Chichester Harbor half a mile South of Dell Quay.
Nature of distress and assistance required.
Number of persons on board.
Description of Seafox - Rowing boat with blue hull.
Telephone number for the coastguard to contact you on.

By VHF Radio.

Turn the radio on. /li>
Press the button marked Channel 16.
Switch to high power.
Speak clearly and slowly whilst holding down the transmit button on the side of the radio and say.
Mayday - Mayday - Mayday.
This is Rowing boat Seafox - Seafox - Seafox.
Mayday - Seafox
Your position - for example - we are in Chichester Harbor half a mile South of Dell Quay.
Nature of distress and assistance required.
Number of persons on board.
Description of Seafox - Rowing boat with blue hull.
Say Over at end of message and release the transmit button.
If you do not get a swift response repeat the message.

If there are other vessels in the vicinity assistance may be requested by the following means
The international distress signal - raising your arms up and down by your side
A whistle using the international distress signal of three short blasts followed by three long blasts followed by three short blasts
A torch or mirror to transmit the international distress signal three short flashes followed by three long flashes followed by three short flashes
A distress flare if available

If there is no immediate danger to life but assistance is still required consider contacting the following using a VHF or mobile phone

Coastguard - Channel 67
Chichester Harbour Conservancy - Channel 14 (operating hours only)
Dell Quay race officer - Channel M2 call sign Dell Quay Base (race times only)
Coastguard - 02392 552100
Chichester Harbour Conservancy - 01243 512301 - 07864 915247 (office hours only)

There is a small first aid emergency box in the aft hatch beneath the Coxes seat along with a laminated sheet showing the above details.
If you decide to head for shore be aware that some landing places in the harbour are more accessible by road than others.
In the highly unlikely event of Seafox being swamped and the crew ending up in the water first check that every member of the crew is accounted for and ask them to verbally confirm that they are OK. One rower will need to get back into the boat and start bailing before assisting others back into the boat. If the boat inverts it can be righted using the same method as you would for an inverted dinghy with a line over the hull tied to one of the gates, but first you will need to remove the oars.
In the event of Seafox hitting an obstruction in the water head for the nearest shore and check the boat for damage. If it is holed you may be able to patch it sufficient to get you home. There is a roll of tape in the emergency box, first dry the area around the hole and then apply several layers of tape over the hole.

If you come across another vessel or person in distress, we are required to provide assistance where possible. Seafox however is only a small boat and there will be a limit to the amount of assistance you can provide. Your first priority is always for the safety of Seafox and your own crew do not place your own crew in danger attempting a rescue.
If you come across a vessel in distress your first course of action is to notify the emergency services. The procedure is the same as above but for a VHF Mayday you add the word Relay, so the word Mayday becomes Mayday Relay repeated three times. Advise the crew of the vessel in distress what you have done and see if there is anything you can safely do to assist but again just be aware of the limited assistance you can provide.
If you come across a person in the water again your first course of action is to notify the emergency services. You can then try and recover them into the boat if it is safe to do so. There are more detailed notes on how to deal with a man overboard in the following section. If the person is in any way distressed or irrational, please treat them with extreme caution.
Please remember not every capsized dinghy is in distress, but if you see a dinghy crew trying to attract your attention or clearly having problems you should go and check they are ok.

Man overboard

The procedure if a rower goes overboard will vary depending on the strength of wind and tide and the proximity of the boat to any other danger.
You can minimise your distance from the casualty by Holding Water Hard, or you can use the boats speed to initiate a turn so that the boat is pointing in the direction of the casualty.
You must not lose sight of the casualty. Initially one of your rowers will have to watch the casualty, when the boat is pointing towards the casualty that becomes your role.
If you are only a short distance from the casualty you could throw them a line, there is a throw bag in the locker below the cox seat. Otherwise, you will need to row back to them.
When recovering the casualty there are two methods you can use.
The upwind, drift down approach. Position the boat about a boat length upwind of the casualty and with the boat positioned across the wind. Allow the boat to drift down towards the casualty. The advantage of this method is that the casualty is in sight all the time, the approach is very slow and controlled and if you have positioned the boat correctly the casualty will come to the centre of the boat.
The downwind approach. Position the boat one or two boat lengths downwind of the casualty. Row very carefully up to the casualty aiming to pick them up on the leeward side of the boat. You will lose sight of the casualty under the bow of the boat as you get closer and one of your bow rowers will have to guide you to the casualty. The disadvantage of this method is that you lose sight of the casualty as you approach, and if the wind blows your bow off there is a risk of hitting the casualty. But in certain conditions this may be your only method of approach.
Once the casualty is safely alongside bringing them to the centre of the boat where it is widest and most stable. Depending on the conditions you may want one rower to keep rowing and hold the bow into the wind.
The casualty is recovered into the boat by the two rowers nearest the centre of the boat. It will be necessary for you and the other rower to help balance the boat as the casualty is recovered.
Please remember that if you have to carry out this exercise for real you will only have three rowers left in the boat and your manoeuvrability will be reduced.
Rather than recovering one of our rowers from the water it is more likely that you will have to give assistance to someone else in the water. The approach is the same as the above but this time when you are two boat lengths from the casualty stop the boat and assess their condition. Talk to them and tell them what you are going to do. If they are calm then continue with your approach and recover them into the boat, however if the casualty is panicking and irrational please treat them with extreme caution. Throw them a buoyancy aid or fender first and try to get them to calm down. A panicked casualty could very easily overturn the boat and you end up with a number of casualties in the water rather than just one. This is obviously a very difficult call to make but your first priority must be the safety of Seafox and its crew.
Once the casualty has been recovered you will need to assess their condition. If you have any concern over the casualties condition immediately notify the emergency services.

Towing Seafox

Seafox is not very well equipped for towing there is an eye on the bow and two eyes on the stern but none of them are particularly strong and you may have to improvise if being towed any distance.
The eye on the bow has a painter attached and a tow line can be attached to the painter using a sheet bend. The tow line should be long enough to keep Seafox at least two boat lengths behind the towing vessel. If conditions are rough, consider spreading the load to other strong points on the boat by means of a rolling hitch on the tow line.
The better way of towing Seafox is by means of an alongside tow using bow and stern springs together with bow and stern breast ropes. This method allows better communication between the two vessels, more control and less opportunity for snatch. However, the lack of cleats means you will have to be creative about where you tie your lines to. Please remember to put fenders between the two boats.
There are spare ropes in the aft locker which can be used.
If you do get offered assistance from an unknown boat please make sure you agree terms with them before accepting a tow, It could be as simple as buying them a coffee or a beer when you get ashore.

Crew Welfare

Look after your crew's welfare and they will look after you.
If it is hot make sure they have a hat, sunscreen and drink with them. Keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
If it is cold or wet, make sure you they have a warm hat and suitable clothing. If you stop remind them to put on their buoyancy aid or extra clothes to stop themselves getting chilled. Keep an eye out for anyone who is shivering, has pale skin, or seems confused.
If you notice anyone looking uncomfortable stop the boat and ask if anyone wants a rest, change places, take off or put on extra clothes, have a drink.
It can get very cold in the Cox seat make sure you have plenty of warm layers available.

Coaching

We are not expecting every Cox to be a master coach, but you must be able to explain to new rowers the basic technique and help race crews with their training.
If there are other experienced rowers in the boat, there is nothing wrong in asking them to help.
If you have novice rowers in the boat, it is often helpful for the Stroke to slow down and for the Cox to talk the novice rower through the various parts of the stroke.
If you see a rower having problems with a particular part of the stroke stop the boat and discuss it with them. Do not leave it until you get back into the clubhouse it is too late then for them to practice any improvements.
There are various types of basic performance training you can utilize.
Interval training is good for improving cardio and general strength. Sprinting to the next buoy or mark is good for practicing pacing. Sprinting for 20 strokes then rowing normally for 10 strokes and then repeating the sequence again is good for building general strength and endurance.
If the crew are training for a long distance event, then the best way to train is simply to put in the miles. Try to find a pace which is suitable for the distance they are rowing and then row just above that pace and push the distance rowed.
At the same time work on technique, the technique used for a long distance race may be different to the technique used for a sprint race.
Don't forget to practice your coxing skills as well, buoy turns, standing starts and anything else which may be specific to the upcoming event.

Etiquette

A lot of the foreshore around the harbour is privately owned please do not land the boat on private beaches except in an emergency.
We regularly visit other clubs in the harbour and make use of their facilities, please be respectful of their club rules. Many clubs require you to wear a buoyancy aid when using the pontoon, please respect that and remind your crew to put their buoyancy aids on.
Be polite to other water users, a wave and a greeting always goes down well.
Do not obstruct boats which are racing. You can usually work out their course and stay out of their way. If you do inadvertently obstruct someone, be polite and say sorry.
Respect the wildlife and observe the Harbour Conservancy Rules particularly during nesting time.
Don't forget we represent Dell Quay when on the water be proud of our club and everything it represents.