The Club and its members will comply with the ARA Water Safety Code  together with the specific local requirements of Henley Rowing Club in the Local Water Safety Code.

Crews should make sure they are aware of the conditions for boating from the Club and the rules of the river on the Henley Reach.

The Club operates a system of warning boards from the boating rafts which indicate whether it is permissible to boat and whether it is permissible to go through the bridge. Failure to abide by these notices will mean that a club member will be immediately and permanently banned from boating from HRC.

Click here to open a map of the Henley Reach

Click here to open the Local Water Safety Code

All coaches, and in the case of experienced crews the person in charge, are responsible for undertaking a risk assessment which takes all factors into account prior to boating.  This may include consideration of any Environment Agency (advice in particular restrictions  or closures  well as the stream, temperature, wind (strength and direction), local conditions, navigation through Henley Bridge and the experience and competency of the crew.  The board displayed at the Club may be changed by the Captain, experienced coach or Club Water Safety Adviser bases on risk assessment of the conditions.  However, an appropriate assessment must still be undertaken by the coach or person in charge at the time of boating.

A red board displayed at the Club means no boating under any circumstances

An orange board means only experienced crews and coxes may boat following a risk assessment.  A significant factor will be deciding whether it is safe to navigate downstream through Henley Bridge; the coach may decide to boat downstream of the bridge.

A green board means that all categories may boat, subject to the normal Local Water Safety Code.

RULES OF THE RIVER

The rule is keep to the right; that is crews (and scullers) proceeding downstream from Henley Bridge to Hambleden Lock keep to the Berks (Clubs) side, and those coming upstream from Hambleden Lock toward the Bridge keep to the Bucks (Town) side. Temple Island is always passed to the right.

Crews being overtaken have a duty to stay clear but must take care not to stray into the centre of the river particularly when coming upstream.

BOATING

Crews should always boat facing upstream and have a duty to avoid those coming downstream.

Particular care must be taken when crossing to and from the Bucks (Town) side to gain access to or leaving club landing stages, and crews coming downstream have right of way at all times.

TURNING AND CROSSING

There are three designated turning areas:

1. At the New Street Public Slipway

2. Between the bottom of Temple Island and the Gate

3. At the 3000 m marker (White Cottage boathouse)

Crews turning, particularly at Temple Island and the New Street slipway, must take care to avoid other boats already on passage, especially those on set work pieces.

There are two designated crossing points:

   1. Upper Thames Rowing Club

   2. Leander Club

Crews crossing to and from Club rafts have an absolute duty of care to avoid other craft particularly at Henley Bridge, see below.

HENLEY BRIDGE

Counting from the Berkshire bank crews coming downstream should use arch two and going upstream arch four. The centre arch should always be left clear for cruiser traffic. Crews leaving the Leander raft must always ensure that the river is clear for them to do so and likewise when crossing from the Bucks side to the raft.

LANDING AT THE CLUB

Crews returning to the club should stay on the town side and cross between the islands, keeping the fallen trees on their right to bow side.  When crossing to the rafts always give way to downstream traffic, and to traffic leaving the club.

Crews should queue alongside the fallen trees moving up to the end of the line of trees as space becomes available on the rafts.  Then when the river is clear and there is space on the rafts, crews should cross directly to the rafts keeping a look out for other craft.  Clear the landing stages as quickly as possible.

Crews should NEVER cut across the river between the islands and creep up on the club side of the river outside Hobbs. This risks a head-on collision, and disrupts downstream stream following the rule of the river.

LIGHTS

Between dusk and dawn, boats must carry a white bow and stern light. Red stern lights are NOT permitted (on the water, a red light is a portside light).