Hi all,
It’s gonna be a hot one tomorrow don’t forget your sun cream and hats.
Please read the following if you intend to take part.
……
0800am leave Burnham
9.30am briefing
10.30am race start – 14 mile course starting and finishing at Benfleet Yacht Club
Prizegiving as soon as all crews have recovered their boats.

Location:
A: Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey Road, Canvey, Essex, SS8 0QT
B: Water around Canvey Island – Benfleet creek, Hadleigh Ray, River Thames, Holehaven creek, East Haven creek

THE COURSE
High water – 13.06 hrs
Start West to East from Benfleet Yacht Club, Canvey point to starboard, Holehaven point to starboard, through the East Haven barrier then through East Haven creek back to finish at Benfleet.

GENERAL COURSE INSTRUCTIONS Some parts of the course towards the end of the race have very shallow water and for this reason the race will start at the earliest opportunity on an incoming tide.

Due to the narrow & shallow channel at this time there will be a staggered start with the slowest boats away first & fastest last. First boat starts about 10.30hrs. These timings may be altered slightly on the day depending upon conditions.

The shallowest part of the course is found at East Haven creek near the A130 bridge and there is a narrow tidal window of 1hr either side of HW that must be met to get through.

Boats will be allocated a start order on the day & must be launched & ready to go as soon as they are able.
From the start eastwards along Benfleet creek to Canvey Point (3 ½ miles) the channel is well marked with red & green buoys (green to starboard/left side on the way out, red to port/right). Bear in mind that you may meet yachts or motor cruisers inbound or outbound that will be constrained by their draft & unable to get out of your way. Competitors must allow room for these craft to proceed and manoeuvre unhindered when in the buoyed channels.
A large obvious marker will be in place to the East of Canvey point and this is the turning mark. Be aware that there may be obstructions such as stakes & wreckage close to the point. South of Island Yacht Club the old Canvey seawall (Rocks) is poorly marked by several pink buoys.
The Southern leg takes you along Canvey sea front, keep outside posts with green triangles topmost marking the end of groynes & other structures. Towards Holehaven there are a number of large jetties at the gas terminal & Oikos Oil depot – do not attempt to go under these.

There is also the Scars Elbow buoy (large green conical) & several big ship mooring buoys, give these a wide berth as the tide will be running hard & liable to set you onto them. Large ships & fishing boats may pass in either direction & may generate considerable wash – even long after they have passed.

On reaching Holehaven Point , just past the large white oil tank with broad vertical blue stripes, keep to the east side near the two big yellow buoys, The channel is heavily congested with fishing boats, by this stage of the tide it will be safe to pass to the west of these & keep out of the channel. After turning into Holehaven creek you pass under a structure/’bridge’ taking large oil pipes across the creek.

The upper part of Holehaven is a water-ski & jet ski area, whilst we have notified the launching sites of the race we cannot accept responsibility for their actions.
Speed boats & PWC’s may be met all round the island – the majority are responsible, a minority may not be! If any cause problems try to make a note of the data tag number on the bow, In the event of an incident call race control on VHF channel P1 or mobile no 07867 117 179 – Wendy Webster.

East Haven tidal barrier, has only one navigable arch, the central one, from here on the creek gets narrower & shallower, be aware there are the remains of several training walls at right angles to the channel for the next mile or so. The channel generally runs in the middle tending towards the outside of the bends. A130 road bridge at Sewer bend use central arch only. The channel bears sharply right & passes the sewerage works on your left. Try not to fall in here or swallow the water!

The last stretch to the finish is past Benfleet railway station & is the last bit where overtaking may be attempted. Just past here you come to Benfleet Road bridge. The 3 central arches of the road bridge and tidal barrier 50 yards on can be used. Be aware that moorings start immediately below the barrier.
Finish line is the quay heading at the BYC club house.

SAFETY PLAN
The information contained in this risk assessment & safety plan will be circulated in advance to all participating crews and will form the basis of a pre-race briefing on the day of the event.

Given the overall safety implications, the Organising Committee will conduct a final risk assessment immediately prior to the briefing at 9:30hrs after consulting latest meteorological information. If conditions seem unfavourable a fall-back option of similar distance within more sheltered waters will be put in place. If the winds on the day are SW or W and over Force 5 the race course will be altered to an inshore race to Leigh and back. This revised course will be marked. Should wind speed or sea conditions become critical during event the organisers will take the decision to abort and recall crews to shore under close protection of safety craft.

All crew will register with the Registration Official on arrival. Any changes to previously notified crew members will be recorded. After finishing the boat captain will report to registration point immediately on coming ashore, to confirm safe return of all crew members.

A water safety team will be on duty at BYC to inspect boats for seaworthiness and vital equipment before allowing crews to take part. Any boats deemed unsuitable for the race conditions will be excluded at scrutineers’ absolute discretion. No inflatable craft or yacht tenders are allowed to compete on safety grounds. All crew members are strongly advised to wear life jackets or buoyancy aids during the event. Any cox or passengers must wear lifejackets. The following equipment WILL be carried on board:-

One lifejacket per crew member (to be worn as requested by Organisers or Safety Boats)
Drinking fluid
At least 10m tow rope
Bailing buckets and or pump (Except self bailing boats or kayaks)
Mobile phone (optional) (phone number to call is 07867 117 179 – Wendy Webster)
First aid kit (optional)

Some craft will have built-in buoyancy, floatation chambers or self bailers, those which do not i.e. gigs, should at least consider some form of buoyancy aids for this event.

It is vital that crews dress appropriately for the conditions on the day and have a change of warm clothing available on coming ashore. The crew may need glucose sweets or similar for energy during the race.

The Round Canvey Race is a physically demanding event requiring fitness. Each participant must realistically assess their own fitness to undertake a 14 mile row (2 – 4 hours). The first quarter of the race is against the tide. During the event the Organiser may instruct any crew to ‘turn for home’ or nearest landing slip if he/she considers them unable to maintain sufficient progress to reach East Haven creek within the time window for the tide.

Safety boats operated by trained personnel to at least RYA2 standard will closely monitor crews throughout and provide rescue. They will also carry VHF and mobile phones. There will be a number of safety and support boats – one leading the race and one at the rear. You must obey their instructions.

The PLA will be informed of the event and provided with a list of competing craft prior to the start.

Any crew consisting of under 18 year olds must have parental consent to compete – the parent or guardian must sign the entry form giving consent.

INCIDENT PLAN

It is important that all crews are aware of their own position at all times. Coxswains/skippers should make themselves aware of the course and any obstacles to be avoided. In the event of an incident at sea affecting/posing a danger to any boat or crew, the following procedure will be adopted:-

If you have a problem during the races make yourselves aware to the safely boats by crossing and uncrossing your arms until you are acknowledged. Nearest crews to divert to provide immediate assistance to crew in difficulty as far as is possible without endangering own safety.
All incidents involving yachts or motor cruisers must be reported to the race organisers.

The Organiser will be contacted and will take the appropriate response action with the emergency services.

RACING RULES

We do not intend to have many rules! However due to the sometimes narrow channels we will insist that overtaking boats should keep clear of those being overtaken. Slower boats should however make room for faster boats to overtake if they have room to do so.
There will be no overtaking under barriers or bridges.

Full Risk Assessment is available upon request.

INSURANCE AND WAIVER

It will be the responsibility of each crew to have their boat insured against risk including public liability to third parties. Benfleet Yacht Club being the organisers of the Round Canvey Race and their sponsors, provide this event only on the understanding that the Club, their representatives and/or members, bear no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury or inconvenience to persons or other craft however arising, directly or indirectly by an accident or wrongful negligent act, default or omission of any member or any person during the Round Canvey Race or other related activity. Crews shall acknowledge their understanding of this disclaimer on the official entry form before the start of the race.