collision avoidance

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Safety

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Aug 6, 2026, 5:29:42 PM (5 days ago) Aug 6

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Hello UVRF,

One of our biggest safety priorities needs to be collision avoidance.

We had a collision between two scullers on the river earlier this summer. We know it's a very real possibility.

The best way to avoid a collision is to closely follow the "Rules of the River" in regards to the location of your boat.

We are noting people rowing on the wrong side of the river and request that people follow the guidelines in this email.

Singles, doubles and quads need to be very aware of traffic on the river (which includes canoes, kayaks, paddle boarders, swimmers and power boats) as well as floating debris.

If you think of the river as divided into thirds (New Hampshire, Middle, Vermont),

Unaccompanied shells should never be in the middle third

Unaccompanied shells rowing upstream should always be in the New Hampshire third.

Shells rowing downstream should always be in the Vermont third.

Coached programs sometimes need to spread out a bit depending on the number of boats on the water, but the coach is helping look ahead to see what is out there to keep the group safe.

Single boats (whether single, double or quad) should always stay in the appropriate third. And be alert when turning and crossing the middle to go the other direction, just as a pedestrian would look both ways when cautiously crossing a busy street.

This will help prevent boat collisions.

A slower single, rowing at a 3’ per 500m pace, travels the length of a football field in 33 seconds.

A faster paced single, rowing at a 2’ per 500m pace, travels the length of a football field in 22 seconds.

This is why it is so important to be looking ahead (even a quick glance) every 3-4 strokes.

You cover a lot of distance in that time and if you are in the wrong section and someone is coming at you, you don’t have much time to react.

Additional suggestions:

If you are overtaking a slower shell, it is the usual practice to go to port (towards the center of the river) but be extra careful. If you are the slower boat, you can move closer to shore to allow the faster boat to pass.

Communicate – talk to the other rower(s). Let them know what you are planning to do. See something? Say something!

Do not listen to music while rowing. You need your hearing to be fully aware.

Wear high viz shirts and hats to make yourself much more visible to other river traffic.

Be especially careful in narrower sections of the river, where there isn’t a lot of room side-to-side. Go to the starboard shore more than normal.

If rowing with buddies, help each other be aware of what’s ahead and stay in the correct third of the river.

If sculling alone, a cell phone in a plastic floatable bag attached to the shell is a very good idea.

We all enjoy our time on the river, but we must practice safe rowing which means always being aware of our surroundings and staying focused on what is ahead.