A copy of these instructions is included in the Marshal Clipboards which should be collected by marshals (along with a yellow CUCBC bib) each morning from above the pigeon-holes to the left of the backdoor to Goldie Boathouse.

» Download Instructions [PDF]

Contents Of Your Folder

1. A copy of these instructions.

2. A rota covering every day of the term. This tells you where you should go (see below) and which college the other marshal is from.

3. Sheets to fill in, logging the boats that are on the water. Use the pen provided.

4. A sheet that shows the colour and pattern of each college’s oars, so you know who they are.

5. A sheet detailing the hours of darkness for each day of term, so you can establish if anyone has boated early.

Instructions

1. Take the clipboard and marshal’s bib from the top of the pigeonholes.

2. Establish from the rota whether you are marshal 1 or marshal 2.

   • Marshal 1 covers the area between Riverside and Chesterton, particularly the area next to the gate leading from Riverside to the Common, and on to Chesterton footbridge.

   • Marshal 2 covers the area along the boathouses up to Riverside.

   • NB: Neither of you should remain static, nor should you stick together for your entire shift – please spread out.

3. Your priority is to report and control noise made by crews and coaches. The CUCBC rules on noise that you are there to enforce are:

   • 36. That all crews must not create unnecessary noise above the Railway Bridge before 7.30am

   • 37. In particular, all use of loud hailers and loud cox-boxes shall be banned above the Railway Bridge before 7.30am. There will be no coaching from the bank above the Railway Bridge before 7.30am.

   • Note that these rules apply only to Cambridge college crews; the CUCBC marshalling system does NOT apply to town clubs.

4. On your sheets, record, noting the alphanumeric code on the boat, plus the other information requested:

   • Each crew you see

   • Any coach accompanying their crew before 7.30am. If they are coaching their crew, record this as well and if possible ask them to stop. Endeavour to do this WITHOUT causing excess noise yourself.

   • Any cox speaking loud enough to be heard on the bank, whether the cox is using a cox box or not.

   • In an emergency, the above may be disregarded.

5. In addition, you are also there to enforce the other CUCBC rules, including

   • 1(b) That all coxes must wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid over the top of all other garments.

   • 5. That all boats except for tub pairs must have a bowball.

   • 11(a) That no college boat may be on the water in the dark, the hours of darkness being defined in Appendix D (a copy is provided).

   • 11(c) That no boat may be on the water without lights during the fifteen minutes after lighting down.

   • 13(a) That no boat be allowed on the water when a red flag is flying.

   • 13(b) That only University crews with the specific permission of one of their senior coaches may row when both the red and yellow flags are flown.

   • 13(c) That only University crews, first boats and boats in the first two divisions of the May Bumps (Men) or first boats and boats in the first division of the May Bumps (Women), first fours or tub pairs be allowed on the water when a yellow flag is flying.

   • 16(a) That there be only light pressure paddling between Chesterton footbridge and Jesus Lock, apart from bung starts in the two days before the Lent Bumps.

   If you see any of these rules being infringed, or any dangerous behaviour, please note the infringement and attempt, quietly, to resolve the situation, including telling boats to go home if they should not be on the river. You are expected to intervene where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

6. At the end of your shift (8:30am) return the bib and clipboard to the top of the pigeonholes. Please leave completed sheets INSIDE the folder. Do not put anything you find in the folder into the pigeonholes, unless it is a pigeon.

7. If something happens that you cannot deal with alone, there will be a member of the CUCBC Exec Committee or a Boatman acting as part of such on the river, who you could attempt to locate. They should be wearing a bib, or other identifying clothing.

8. Ellie Goodfield (see instructions in folder for phone number) can be contacted in case of an emergency. Examples of situations which would constitute an emergency include:

   • Drastic weather conditions, warranting a change in the flag

   • Major obstruction in the river

   • Goldie boathouse being on fire

   • UFO invasion

9. At all times, use your common sense. If there has been a hideous crash and people are injured and/or likely to get hypothermia, establish whether it would be appropriate to call an ambulance. If it’s suddenly become very foggy, advise crews to go home and ring Ellie – you get the picture.

Thank you for sparing your morning – don’t get too cold!