Celtic Challenge 2012

2. Celtic Challenge 2012 • Information Pack containing: • 1. Information Sheet • 2. Rules of the Race • 3. List of safety equipment that should be available • 4. Map of Arklow • 5. Map of Aberystwyth • 6. Arklow chart • 7. Aberystwyth chart • 8. Ferry Times • 9. Aberystwyth Tide table for May 2012 • 10. Aberystwyth Harbour entrance photo Transit marks • 11. Aberystwyth harbour plan (not to scale) • 12. Aberystwyth Marina plan

3. Transport by Stena Line • Bookings should be made through. • sara.mathias@stenaline.com and Merryll.palfreman@stenaline.com • Both ladies have your rates and will happy to help. • You are welcome to copy me in too if necessary. • E mail: carl.milne@stenaline.comCarl MilnePassenger and Freight Operations Manager, Fishguard-Rosslare +44 (0)1348 404 470+44 (0)7901 517 187

4. StenaLine Fares • Car (any type) plus 1 pax £165 return • Trailer with boat or empty £165 return • Minibus plus 1 pax £180 return • Van (commercial type) plus 1 pax £230 return  • Extra passengers £15 single, £30 return

5. Stena Europe crossing time 3 hrs 30 mins

6. All persons travelling to Ireland should have photo ID available • in case of Security checks. • It is advisable to also obtain an • European Health Card • Which should be available from • DHSS

7. Guideance for towing trailers http://www.britishrowing.org/publication/trailer-towing-guidance

8. Bus to Fishguard • Aberystwyth Rowing Club are organising a bus to transport rowers and their support crews to Fishguard in time to catch the 02.45 ferry on Friday 4th May.  The bus will depart at 11pm on Thursday 3rd May from Aberystwyth Harbour with pick ups on route (e.g. Aberaeron). • The cost of each ticket is.  Clubs wishing to book tickets should contact – detailing the number of tickets required.  Once payment has been received tickets will be allocated appropriately. • .

9. Bus From Rosslare to Arklow • There will be a bus/es outside the Euro-port terminal in Rosslare for persons requiring transport to Arklow where it will drop the passengers off outside the Arklow Sailing Club on the North Quay. • There will be a charge for this, 8 euros. Please notify us if you require this service. • Or there is a train service from Rosslare to Arklow.

10. Weather • The weather conditions leading up to the Challenge will be closely monitored. • A 36 hour weather window is required, preferably 48 hours. • The decision to hold the Race will be made on Wednesday 4th May at 19.00. • Team Reps should contact after 19.30: • Dai: 07900 953226 or • Sonia: 07719 659618

11. Pre-Race Briefings etc • All Teams, Support Boats & Ribs must be in Arklow by 12 noon on Friday 6th May 2012. • Team reps should report toMikatchaon arrival. • This will enable safety checks to be carried out on equipment . • Also if weather conditions dictate the Race could start on the Friday night. • Team & Support boat briefing at Arklow Sailing Club at 19.00 unless otherwise informed.

12. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RACE EACH ROWING BOAT IS TO CARRY:-   A WORKING BILGE PUMP and bailer as back up • Adequate buoyancy to keep boat and all personnel afloat • Personal lifejackets, fitted with light* and whistle, for all rowers and coxes, to be worn at all times during the race • Flares. Minimum 3 hand held red pinpoint flares • Hand held VHF radio or PMR with a 2 or 3 kilometre range. Ensure good battery life. • Hand held GPS • One all round white navigation light not less than 2 metres in height • A powerful hand held torch • A compass • A small radar reflector: – commercial standard to be visible at all times • * If the lifejacket doesn’t have a light use a Glow stick, available from Camping / outdoor stores. • Extra Buoyancy is recomended

13. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RACE • EACH SUPPORT VESSEL IS TO CARRY:- • Life rafts onboard • Lifejackets for all persons. Lifejackets are to be of full support type to DTI standards NOT buoyancy aids. • Flares. Minimum of 4 hand held red, 2 red parachute and 1 orange smoke flare • Working VHF radio • Adequate charts and navigational publications to cover the crossing • A working GPS navigation system • Adequate fuel supply for both RIB and Support vessel to cover the Race. • Safe boarding facility for Doctor/Paramedic or for possible evacuation of casualty in an emergency and to have competent crew support.

14. SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RACE • EACH INFLATABLE / RIB IS TO CARRY:- • Hand held VHF radio or PMR with adequate battery life • Flares. Minimum 3 hand held red pinpoint flares • Powerful hand torch • Lifejackets must be worn at all times • Sufficient fuel • GPS, fitted or portable • Throwing rescue line.

15. Race Safety This year we will have three Safety Boats, “Ma Chipe”, “Mikatcha” and “Keto”. We will have Medical cover by a Doctor and a Paramedic they will be based on, “Ma Chipe” and “Mikatcha” and will be able to respond to an emergency anywhere within the fleet of Rowing and Support boats in a short space of time. We also hope to have Mechanical cover on board “Keto”

17. Stuart Gill (Doctor) • Ian Brandreth (Paramedic)

18. Introduction • The medical team • Self Care • Pre-existing Medical Problems • Role of the Medical Team

19. Self Care • Prevention is better than cure!! • Hypothermia • Sea sickness • Exhaustion • All 3 of these are interconnected; measures taken to avoid each will help avoid or at least make the others more bearable

20. Hypothermia • Apply common sense • Change of clothes when coming onto support boat • Get below, dry off, get warm, get fed/watered • Look out for crew mates • Serious signs.... • Exertion + wind and water!!! Ideal conditions to get cold

21. Symptoms • Acting out of character • Slurred speech • Inappropriate behaviour • If simple re-warming measures don’t work ask for help • (No direct intense heat on extremities)

22. Sea Sickness • Can range from unpleasant to extremely debilitating • Dehydration is your greatest enemy

23. Look after yourself and crew mates • Take on sweet fluids, no matter how bad you feel • Stay warm, if you’re on deck wrap up warm, try to spend at least some time below with your head down • Prevention • Take pills before putting to sea, before getting sick!! • Patches are very useful if you know you are badly affected

24. Exhaustion • Physical and mental demands will be high • You need to be adequately fuelled, watered and rested to meet these demands

25. Get as much rest as you can when on the support boat, even early on when you may not feel the need • Take on plenty of high carbohydrate foods & have a supply of high glucose, energy rich food/drinks for the real low points • Stay warm, shivering wastes valuable energy

26. Pre-existing Medical Conditions • PLEASE disclose any medical conditions & allergies even if you think they are minor....this also includes all support crews • All information will be treated in the strictest confidence • It is vital that we are forewarned in order that proper treatment can be given should the need occur

27. Pre-existing Medical Conditions • This information is NOT for vetting purposes, it is purely to keep you safe and offer the best possible medical cover • Of particular interest • Asthma & any other lung problems • Diabetes • Epilepsy • Allergies • Heart conditions • Pregnancy

28. Medical Forms • Medical forms have been e-mailed to each team. • It is important that these are filled in for Team members and for Support boat crews.

29. Role of the Medical Team • What we will do for you • Attend any injury/illness that you are unable to deal with, i.e. anything you would normally attend casualty or call an ambulance/doctor for. • Treat severe sea-sickness, dehydration or hypothermia which is not responding to basic measures • Make decisions on the need for medevac • Provide advice on any conditions or situations you are unsure of

30. Role of the Medical Team • What we won’t do • Attend to minor injuries only requiring a simple first aid kit However.... • If you have tried simple first aid and/or are unsure, call and we will be happy to give advice.... We would rather you call early for simple advice rather than too late

31. For the attention of all Support Boat Skippers

32. Arklow Bank • Note for all Support Boat Skippers. From the Coxn of Arklow Lifeboat. Do not trust your charts and attempt to cross the Arklow Bank at any point, the safe channel across has now filled in. Go round the south of the Bank between Racon and South Cardinal buoy .

33. Medical Emergency • If any incident occurs where a Rower or Crewman of a Support Boat is injured, the Support boat should contact either “Mikatcha” or “Ma Chipe” on channel 16 for Medical assistance. • If after inspection by the Medical staff a Medevac is required the Support Boat must obey any instructions given by the Coxn of the Lifeboat carrying out the Medevac.

34. Arklow chart

36. For all Support Boats • When approaching Arklow Harbour call “Ma Chipe” on Channel 16 and Mike Harris will give you instructions where you should moor.

37. After the Start of the Race all vessels must pass to the South of the Arklow Lifeboat which will be situated near the south end of the Arklow Bank. • Lat & long co-ordinates will be given to all Support boats at the Briefing in Arklow on Friday 4th May.

38. Approaches to Aberystwyth & Tide Table

41. Aberystwyth Harbour Chart • Chart is not to scale and is intended as a guide only. • It shows our local transit marks. • The Deep water channel is close to the end of the Wooden Jetty and once passed the end turn to port and come up the centre of the Channel. • Please note if entering 3 hours after HW do not stray too far to starboard if you are deep drafted.

45. Local Transit line

46. W Cardinal Mark

47. PP View of Harbour entrance at low at equinoxial Springs

48. Harbour entrance LWS