Navigation Guidance

Navigation guidance for rowers and canoeists around Norwich Frostbite Sailing Club dinghies (revised in October 2014).  
 
 
This guidance was prepared after consultation with the following clubs and organisations-
 
• Norwich Rowing Club • Norwich Canoe Club • UEA Boat Club • Broadland Boat Club • Yare Boat Club • Norwich Frostbite Sailing Club • Broads Authority • Yare Users Association
 
1. Norwich Frostbite Sailing Club (NFSC) organise races on the Yare from late October to April on Sundays from approximately 10h30 to 14h00. Rowers and canoeists should exercise care at these times and, wherever possible, avoid this section of river and particularly around racing start times (i.e. 10h55 and 12h20). Races are usually 45 minutes duration. Dinghies will be on the water between approx. 10h45 to 12h00 and 12h15 to 13h15.
 
2. At these times rowers and canoeists using the river will encounter sailing dinghies and extra vigilance is required when navigating through this stretch in order to avoid collisions, and disrupting racing. Sailing dinghies may be generally more manoeuvrable than rowing boats except in very light or very strong winds. They will endeavour to leave a passage for rowing boats to pass when at all possible. This is more difficult immediately before and just after a start.
 
3. Rowers and canoeists should not perform racing pieces through this stretch at these times. Row through at light pressure, and watch out for dinghies being launched from the north bank, and racers
 
4. Observe normal navigation regulations and traverse this section of river close to the bowside (i.e. starboard) bank when heading either up or downstream.
 
5. When the start of a race is imminent (within five minutes) an orange flashing light will be displayed on the NFSC clubhouse. If the light is flashing hold the boat up (when heading down or upstream) until the race has started. At this time dinghies will be manoeuvering across the river at close quarters in preparation for the race start.  Before and during the race, whenever possible, NFSC launches will be located near the upstream and downstream race marker buoys (unless they are required to attend an emergency). Please take note of any advice they provide.  
 
6. If you hold the boat up, watch out for other rowing boats and canoes and shout a warning if necessary.  Also, if a dinghy is on a potential collision course and has not seen you, shout a clear warning in plenty of time. 
 
7. Only proceed once the race has started and it is safe to do so.  At all times when races are underway, rowers and canoeists should abide by the safety instructions issued by the race controller over the loudspeaker system.
 
8. Markers will be placed in the region of the dyke downstream of the NFSC clubhouse that will direct rowers away from the blind corner in order to make them more visible to sailors. 
NFSC have requested that rowers wear High Visibility tops so they can be easily spotted on the water.
 
 
Frostbite Sailing Club Race Start Sequence.
 
1. Ten minutes prior to the start of racing a horn is sounded alerting boats to prepare for the start. A flag is also raised.
 
2. Five minutes prior to the start a second signal is sounded and a flag raised. All competing boats must be on the water, cast off from the bank, and manoeuvring in close proximity to the start line. 
 
3. Also at five minutes before the start the orange flashing light is switched on at the front of the clubhouse to warn other users that a race is about to start.
 
4.  At the start of the race a sound signal is made and flags lowered, the orange light will then be switched off.   N.B. in the event of a large turnout a start may be split with a second start 5 minutes after the first.  In this event the orange flashing light will be left on until the second start.