• Rowing is not allowed when ice or other obstructions are floating or submerged in the water or when conditions exist (e.g., wind, strong current, waves, storm clouds, lightning, thunder, or fog) that present a potential hazard to rowers' safety.
• The Dockmaster Committee shall have ultimate authority to determine whether boats may or may not go on the water. If no member of the DC is present, the program coaches shall make the determination.
• Boats must return to the dock at the first sound of thunder, sign of lightning, or if fog sets in. If a storm is already upon you, take the boats ashore to the nearest safe point and wait for the storm to pass. Boats may return to the water 30 minutes after thunder is last heard or lightning is last seen.

Accompaniment by a launch:

• All pairs, fours, quads, and eights shall be accompanied by a launch.
• Singles and doubles shall be accompanied by a launch if the water temperature is below 50 degrees F or the sum of the air and water temperatures is less than 100 degrees F. Otherwise, singles and doubles need not be accompanied by a launch, although they are encouraged to buddy up with other boats.

In the event of an accident:

• Stay with the boat and wait for a launch to rescue.
• Oars are approved personal flotation devices for rowers.
• In the absence of a launch, or if the shore is close by, rowers may swim to shore with a flotation device.
• Do not attempt to remove clothing in cold water; even wet clothing will delay the onset of hypothermia.

General Rules:

All Members must be able to swim 100 meters and tread water for two minutes.
Follow the coxswain's or bowman's instructions closely, especially when carrying boats, launching and landing.

Do not step or put your arm through a rigger when climbing into or out of a boat.

Carry oars with blades forward.

Single scullers, bowmen, and coxswains should look where they are going frequently.

Carry drinking water in the boat and stay hydrated.

Dress appropriately for air and water temperatures.

Get a physical prior to increasing training loads. Increase the intensity and duration of
workouts gradually.

Shells must have bow balls at all times.

Never step over a boat; always walk around it.

Gasoline tanks may not be left in the launches. All gasoline cans and tanks must be stored in the lockers.

Rules of the River

Launching and Recovery:

ALL boats shall launch from the dock to the north and land at the dock from the south via Oronoco Bay. Northbound boats wishing to enter Oronoco Bay to reach the boathouse shall yield to southbound traffic, and shall cross the southbound traffic lanes only when safe to do so.

Launching is in order of lining up on the ramp. Launch as soon as an area opens up, preferably at the most northerly space available.

Once the shell is in the water, immediately obtain oars and vacate the dock as quickly as possible. Tie in on the water if other rowers are waiting for launch space.

Minor adjustments should be made on the water, not at the dock. More extensive work should be done with the boat in slings or on the rack.

No racing or high stroking is permitted in the launch area.

The dock should be cleared as quickly as possible after returning from an outing.

Oars should not be pulled in until all rowers have exited the boat.

Traffic Pattern:

• With the exception described below, the traffic pattern for ACR rowers is in a counter-clockwise direction. Boats rowing northward shall stay near the middle of the river or farther east (i.e., toward the DC/Maryland shore) and boats rowing southward shall stay closer to the Virginia shore. Between the airport and the boathouse, rowers shall stay east of all buoys and day markers.
• When rowing south under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, southbound rowers shall pass through the draw span arch, and northbound rowers shall pass through any accessible span east (toward DC/Maryland) of the draw span.
• Exception to the Counter Clockwise Pattern. The exception to the counterclockwise pattern applies ONLY to boats heading directly from the boathouse to the marina south of the airport. Heading northward, these boats shall stay as close to the Virginia shore as practicable. North of the power plant, proceed with caution, following the marked channel staying west of all red buoys and red day markers en route to the marina. Boats heading back to the boathouse from the marina shall stay east of ALL day markers and buoys, joining any other southbound traffic from the main channel, being aware of the sunken barge located just east of the red nun buoy.

Launch Operation:

• Launch drivers should have 360 degrees of visibility of the water; the bow should be weighed down so that vision is not impaired.
• Launch capacities should not be exceeded.
• Launch personnel should always be ready to execute a rescue in the event of a shell capsizing.
• Launch drivers should be careful of boats in the opposing lane of river traffic.
• All launches must be equipped with the following safety equipment:
  • Personal flotation devices for launch personnel and rowers;
  • An oar;
  • Lights (for early morning or dusk);
  • A bow or stern line at least six feet long; and
  • An air horn or siren.
• It is recommended that launches carry the following:
  • Tools;
  • Anchor;
  • First-aid kit;
  • Signaling device; and
  • Cable to secure the engine to the launch.
• Use of launches outside of program hours requires DC approval