Folks. Before we get to the calendar, a few items.
For Rowers
The traffic pattern document was formalize, oh, maybe in 2002? and all of the organizations on the river were invited to help with the project. The resulting document is what all of the clubs agreed to abide by to provide a more safe boating environment for all. You may not agree with it, but your club did. If you would like to propose a change, write it up and we'll all vote on it. Otherwise, please row it as written. A few specific notes:
Lights: These are not optional. Those launching at 5AM should already have them, and for everyone else, your time is coming. Make sure your lights are operational now. And by lights, we mean red/green bow light and white stern light. This is consistent with Coast Guard regs. See the document langugate below.
• Bow light should be red / green (port / starboard), and be attached to the bow marker clip or forward point of bow washbox well in front of the bowman. Flashing or strobe lights are NOT as visible as solid lights, and are not acceptable, except as a secondary source of illumination.
• Stern light should be white, and be mounted aft of stern washbox or mounted above stern of boat.
Blades: It is required that you paint your oars the colors of the club for which you row. Document language reads:
All organizations shall paint blades in their designated pattern, and require that private equipment owners follow suit, to make a crew's affiliation known to others.
The Union Lane: If you are heading downstream, you must be at least 2-eights-and-a-launch width from shore to ensure that you are not in the Union Lane. The downstream arches of the Mass Ave bridge are 4 to the left and 4 to the right of the lighted platform. It is like hitting the broadside of a barn. If you are not in a correct arch, you aren't trying. Please be attentive to this.
Conversely, boats using the Union lane should cross quickly and safely to the right side of the river just after the finish line of the 2k course. Recently, I have witnessed scullers using this lane all the way up to the BU Boathouse. Please spread the word that is too far. Even the most concientious boaters will not expect you to be heading upstream that far up. Please change your ways.
One more note. The traffic pattern notes "poor weather conditions" for the Union Lane. But that is a highly subjective term. Please expect people to use the Union Lane in all weather conditions. I've included the document language below:
Union Lane: The Union lane allows scullers launching from Union Boat Club to pass upstream through the lagoon, or along the Boston shore in poor weather conditions, to avoid crossing the basin. It also allows crews to proceed upstream when wind conditions do not permit normal use of the 2000m race course. The lane includes the 2nd through the 4th arches from the Boston shore (the shore arch is impassible), and runs from the lagoon at the Hatch Shell to just past the 2000m finish, where upstream crews and scullers shall cross quickly to the Cambridge shore. Crews and scullers in the lower basin must be alert for boats crossing out of this lane. Note that the lagoon, which is generally accessible only to single sculls, is a no pressure zone. Scullers must be constantly alert for scullers approaching in the opposite direction.
MIT Lane: Language below but basically, make sure that your stern point is OUTSIDE of the boathouse to ensure that you are not in the MIT lane. MIT bound crews are also reminded to cross quickly and to be fully crossed and close to shore by the time you reach the finish line.
MIT Lane: The MIT lane allows crews to launch and land from the MIT Boathouse without crossing the race course. The lane extends out from the Cambridge shore to the outer boundary of the MIT Boathouse, and crews passing upstream on the race course shall stay left. It extends from the MIT Boathouse to the footbridge over Storrow Drive, where MIT crews rejoin the regular traffic patterns. Crews and scullers in the lower basin should watch for MIT boats crossing in and out of this lane
Calendar
The only immediate items on the Calendar are the Community Boating friday night informal races (5:30PM to 8:30PM), and their Tiller Club's sunday morning formal races (9:30AM to 2:30PM), held between Longfellow and Mass Ave. Check out the cool document on the CRAB website to help figure out how to spot sailing races, and how to navigate near them.
On the Horizon:
Sunday, August 7, 2016
5:30AM - Mohammed Jafri Memorial Row. Gathering at the HOCR start (BU Boathouse), an proceeding upstream.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
All Day - Red Bull Flutag at the Hatch Shell. Home made flying machines compete for most air time, landing in the river.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
10:30AM - 6:30PM Red Bull Relay Stake Race. Riverside Boat Club to Mag Beach Powderhouse-ish area. This rowing event is a very short sprint to a stake, rounding it, and back. High intensity and definitely an event worth coming to see - eights do not round a stake gracefully. Use magazine beach for best viewing. All other boaters are asked to work with regatta officials to pass the course.
Fall Dates to mark on your calendar
September 11, Head of the Kevin I
September 17, CRI Fall Classic Regatta
September 24, Head of the Kevin II
October 2, Greater Boston Youth Rowing Head Race
October 15, Head of the Kevin III
October 16, Head of the Quinobequin youth singles regatta
October 22, 23, Head of the Charles Regatta
And if someone could send the Foot of the Charles dates, it would be appreciated.
When you lose this email, you can find all of this information and much more at
