Rowing & Your Safety

As you are aware, Southeast Queensland is starting to see the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is currently a Category 2 system. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) at the moment is predicting that Alfred will do a u turn and come back towards the coast with landfall tracking for somewhere between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast as either a category 1 or category 2 system likely Thursday.

There are already multiple current warnings issued by the BOM including tropical cyclone, marine wind and flooding warnings. The BOM on ABC News this morning said, “there is the potential for three to four hundred millimetres [of rain] each day with the passage of the system” and that they can’t rule out daily rainfall totals of up to six hundred millimetres.

As we are all aware, with significant rain comes higher tides and river levels with flooding potential, faster flowing water, debris, and an increased risk of damage to property and the environment. Whilst Rowing Queensland is cognisant that it is an important time of year for many rowers as we approach the GPS Head of the River and the Australian Rowing Championships, we are issuing this reminder that your personal safety must take priority.

We should all be undertaking the following 5 simple steps before heading out on any waterway, but these are particularly important given current weather warnings:

1. Hatch a plan:
   - ensure you are checking the weather, tide and conditions before heading out. If it is unsafe, do not embark.
   - make sure you know the waterway you are using and any traffic rules and navigation requirements
   - make sure someone is aware that you are going out and when to expect you back
2. Interaction:
   - know where you should be on the waterway to avoid unsafe interactions with other vessels
   - for larger vessels, leave plenty of room when passing to avoid getting caught in a Masters blind spot
   - ensure you are obeying things like CityCat exclusion zones on the Brisbane River
3. Battling the elements:
   - Make sure you can see 1000m. If not, you shouldn’t be boating
   - If a rain squall, fog or strong winds hit during your passage, seek shelter ashore if required and sit it out
   - Be wary of what might be hidden below the surface during and after rain or flood
4. Clear communication:
   - Look and listen out for flags, ship horns, vessel lights and other ways mariners use to communicate
   - Observe speed limits and slow down around other vessels and marinas
   - Ensure your path is visible to those around you to help mitigate the risk of collisions
5. Visibility:
   - Avoid being on a waterway when visibility is poor
   - Between sunset and sunrise, use the all round flashing white light (nav requirement for passive craft)
   - Ensure your tinny is correctly lit with the all round stern light and bi colour bow light

Please make sure that you are staying safe, up to date and alert during this significant weather event. The best places to get the most up to date information are:

1. The Bureau of Meteorology website
2. The Maritime Safety Queensland website and Dashboard
3. The Queensland Governments traffic and road conditions website
4. Facebook pages of Queensland Government, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Police, the Queensland Fire Department, and Maritime Safety Queensland

Stay Safe!