Flag

The Flag is set by the CUCBC Executive Committee to instruct as to which crews may boat given the current river conditions (wind, stream, fog etc.). For the early morning periods, a preemptive flag will be set the night before based upon the weather forecast and will be reviewed the next morning prior to lighting down. Outside of Full Term the flag is not operational.

Not Operational FlagThe flag is currently Not Operational
Changed 2024-03-16 09:00:59

The current Flag status is displayed on the CUCBC Website (at the top) and can also be accessed on a WAP phone (http://m.cucbc.org/). Please note that a 'physical' flag will no longer be flown above Goldie Boathouse.

» Flag Outlook

Flag State Restriction
Green Green There are no restrictions on which crews may boat.
Yellow Yellow

Boating is restricted to University crews, first VIIIs and tub pairs. During Lent Term, any VIIIs in the first or second division of the Lent Bumps may boat. During Easter Term, any VIIIs in the first or second division of the May Bumps may boat.

Members of crews permitted to boat under a Yellow Flag may do so in fours or small boats (i.e. single and double sculls and pairs) with the express permission of the Club Captain and/or Boatman.

Red/Yellow Red/Yellow The river is closed, except to tub pairs between Jesus Lock and Chesterton and University crews with the express permission of their Head Coach.
Red Red The river is closed to all crews.

N.B. Where the Flag permits a given crew to boat (i.e. green or yellow flag), the final decision lies with the cox and coach as to whether that crew is able to handle the conditions and thus whether boating is appropriate.

Where the Yellow Flag is set due to fog, all crews are expected to carry white lights on the bow and stern, even during daylight hours.

Flag Guidelines

A yellow flag will be set at 22.00 hours in preparation for the following morning if, based on the Meteorological Office Cambridge forecast:

  • The forecast wind speed is 35 mph or more, or
  • The forecast temperature is 0°C or less and the forecast wind speed is 25 mph.

At the later of lighting down minus 30 minutes or 06.00 hours, the yellow flag will be confirmed for two hours or lowered. There will be no strict criteria for this as the decision will be taken based on personal observation of conditions at the river. However, suggested guidelines are that the flag should continue to be raised if:

  • The wind is "too strong or gusty"
  • Current exceeds 5 mph
  • Fog does not allow another boat to be seen at 150 metres
  • There are conditions where hypothermia would be a risk for crews held static for 10 minutes, based on the forecast criterion.

A red flag will be raised if conditions are unrowable, such as completely frozen or if the water level has risen 1.5 metres or more or if ice exceeds 1 mm thick more than 2 metres from the bank.

River Levels: Bait's Bite;  Jesus Green.

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