1. Saugatuck Rowing Club Rules of the River
Spring, 2017

2. Table of Contents River Talk Right of Way Safety Navigation Tides
Responsibilities

3. River Talk
Upstream: From the dock, Upstream is to the left or north. We row Upstream on the far or eastern side of the river - more generally referred to as the Fairfield side.
Downstream: From the dock, Downstream is to the right or south. We row Downstream on the near or western side of the river - more generally referred to as the Norwalk side.
Uniquely visible to the human eye at long distances, in low light and in the fog.
Hi-Viz

4. Marine Navigation
The Saugatuck River is a navigable marine waterway, and all of the rules of marine navigation apply. Best to be familiar with them.

5. Remember: proper navigation is your responsibility
Etiquette
At the Club:
Adjust foot stretchers in the boathouse, on slings or on the river… and not at the dock.
Position oars near where you intend to launch.
Move quickly. Limit dock time to 1 minute
Returning Boats:
Boats returning to the dock have right of way
Boats returning to the boathouse have right of way over boats heading down the ramp
On the Water:
Always be alert for other boats and obstructions.
Call out loudly when there’s a risk of collision.
When resting, move to the side of the rowing lane
Be thoughtful and considerate of your fellow rowers.
Remember: proper navigation is your responsibility

6. Right of Way
Boats Heading Downstream - have the right of way.
Maintain separation at all times
Be aware of your surroundings
Yield at all times to avoid a collision
Boats Heading Upstream - do not have the right of way.
Maintain separation at all times.
Always pause and look upstream at “choke points”
Yield to boats heading downstream.
Note: it is the responsibility of every rower to row a safe course and avoid collisions.

7. General Safety
The Saugatuck is a challenging river to navigate with numerous obstacles. To ensure safe passage, please observe these rules:
Pause at the Moorings: when rowing upstream toward Town Bridge, you are required to pause at the Moorings and look ahead for oncoming traffic before preceding through the Narrows.
Pause at the Gazebo: When returning to Saugatuck from Cedar Point, you are required to pause at the Gazebo and look upstream for boats heading downstream through the Railroad bridge.
New in 2017: No Power thru the Bridges and thru the Narrows. Extra caution when passing the SRC docks.

8. General Safety
Four-Oar Rule: When the water dips below 50 degrees, all boats are required to have a minimum of four oars in the water… meaning no singles or pairs.
If you flip: Stay with your boat. Do not attempt to swim to shore. If you know how to get back in your boat, do so. If not, hail a fellow sculler or a coach for assistance.

9. Navigation Lighting
When rowing at dawn and dusk, all boats must display proper marine lighting. Red/Green in the bow; White in the stern.
All boats must display a Red/Green bow light affixed to the hull behind the bow-ball.
All boats must also display a white stern light affixed to their foot stretcher or aft deck.
In addition, we strongly recommend hat lights; Red facing the bow; white facing the stern.

10. Rowing Attire
All rowers are required to wear tops that fully cover your trunk at all times. This rule applies to all rowers including those in quads, fours and eights. (That means you!)
Hi-Viz

11. When Rowing Alone
When rowing alone and without a coach, be sensible. Here are our recommendations:
Bring a whistle: they’re small and inexpensive. Tuck one in your pocket or Velcro it to foot stretcher.
Bring a lifejacket: several companies make compact, inflatable lifejackets
Bring plenty of water: and electrolyte tabs if it’s hot and humid.
Bring a cell phone: in a waterproof case or a zip-log bag.
Wear a mirror: it makes a difference!

12. The last stretch of land before LI Sound.
Land Marks
Upstream
Downstream
Town Bridge
The Gazebo
Furthest point north that is accessible to rowers out of Saugatuck.
At the finish line for the 1,000 meter course.
Mud Island
The Culvert
500 meters south of Town Bridge; not exposed at high tide.
On the Norwalk side of the race course;
requires careful navigation at low tide.
Stony Point
The Narrows
The southern tip of land on the Norwalk side of the race course.
A 200 meter stretch of water extending from the Moorings to Mud Island.
White Bridge
The Moorings
Visible from the club house where the river narrows leading to Town Bridge.
Located on Saugatuck Island across the bay from the race course.
Low Tide Rock
Cedar Point
The last stretch of land before LI Sound.
Located along the Norwalk side of the river just south of the Moorings.

13. Landmarks Upstream Downstream Hyphen adjustment Mud Island Town Bridge
The Narrows
Saugatuck RC
Upstream
Downstream
Hyphen adjustment
The Race Course
Stony Point
Cedar Point
The Bay

14. Saugatuck to Town Bridge
Rowing Upstream
Saugatuck to Town Bridge

15. At the Dock
Launching: Always launch and return with your bow pointed Downstream (toward the bridges.)
Rowing Upstream: From the dock, head downstream for two strokes, then row across the river before turning upstream.
Remember: boats heading Downstream have the right of way. You are required to pause at the Moorings and look carefully up river before proceeding through the narrows.
Saugatuck

16. Rowing Upstream
Rowing Upstream: keep to the Fairfield (Eastern) side of the river. Remember: you do NOT have the right of way.
After passing thru the Narrows, continue in an easterly direction before turning north toward Town Bridge.
Note: be sure to stop well short of Town Bridge at low tide. No water!
Returning to Saugatuck: When rowing back to Saugatuck, stay along the Norwalk (Western) shore. Use extra caution as you pass through the Narrows.
Note: watch out for docks and fishing lines. Many a casualty!

17. Saugatuck to Cedar Point
Rowing Downstream
Saugatuck to Cedar Point

18. The Bridges
Three bridges south of Saugatuck. Each requires thoughtful navigation and patience to ensure safe passage. No power through the bridges.
Downstream: When rowing downstream you are required to row through all three navigable arches along the Norwalk (Western) shore.
Upstream: generally you will always row through same navigable arches. Above mid-tide you can pass through the middle arch of the I-95 and Bridge St bridges.
The passages through the bridges are very narrow. Proceed with caution. Always look for oncoming traffic.

19. The Culvert
The race course
(1,000 Meters)
The Race Course
Downstream: Proceed under all 3 bridges. When thru the Railroad Bridge, turn down the Norwalk (Western) shore of the river.
Note: At low tide, stay to the middle of the river to avoid the underwater Culvert that extends from the yellow boathouse.
Upstream: Head up the Fairfield (Eastern) shore. Pause at the Gazebo and look for boats heading down thru the Railroad Bridge before proceeding.
Warning: The racecourse is a navigable marine waterway. Watch for marine traffic – especially fishing boats at dawn.

20. The Bay
Downstream: Stay along the Norwalk (Western) shore and remain in the marine channel all the way to Cedar Point. Red Buoys over your right shoulder.
Upstream: On your return, stay on the opposite side of Red Buoys to ensure separation and safe passage. Red buoys remain over your right shoulder.
Warning: The channel is a navigable marine waterway. Watch for marine traffic.
Rowing Across the Bay: only above mid tide and only in good weather.
Downstream: Row from Stony Point directly to the White Bridge.
Upstream: Row east to Cedar Point before turning north and proceeding across the bay.
Sand Bar
White Bridge

21. The Tides
Tidal swings on the Saugatuck can range up to 10 feet. At low tide, normally safe passages can become unnavigable.
At low tide, the “Rules of the River” yield to good
judgment and the coach’s discretion.

22. Docks can be unforgiving
The “Red Zones”
Even the most experienced scullers get in trouble…
When rowing hard…we tend to focus on rowing and not navigation
When rowing in the dark…without hi-viz apparel and proper lighting
When rowing through the Narrows…with boats traveling in both directions
When turning near Mud Island…we tend to cut the corner
When passing through the Bridges…it’s narrow and unforgiving
When rowing past Stony Point…in either direction
Can you see him?
How about now???
Docks can be unforgiving

23. So Remember…Safety First
Abide by the Rules of the River. They apply to everyone. Bright colors and bright lights. Look and listen. When in doubt, yield. Proceed slowly through the bridges. You may have the right of way over power boats, but only if they see you…and only if they care!

24. Rower’s Commitment Signed: Name: Date: ___/___/___
I have read the Rules of the River, and I understand their purpose and intent. By signing this document, I acknowledge my obligation to abide by these rules, and further commit to helping educate others so that we may all enjoy the privilege of rowing at Saugatuck.
Signed:
Name:
Date: ___/___/___