DragonSports USA Boat Safety Rules
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| The following Boat Safety Rules are to be followed by all individuals when renting and using DragonSports USA (“DSUSA”) dragon boats and equipment: |
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| 1. Only individuals that are at least 14 years old, have signed a DSUSA waiver, and are DSUSA members may use DSUSA dragon boats and equipment. In addition, paddlers must be listed on a team roster or have paid open practice fees to use DSUSA dragon boats and equipment. Exception: New paddlers are permitted three team or open practices after submitting a signed waiver and prior to joining DSUSA. |
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| 2. Non-paddling passengers are generally not permitted on DSUSA dragon boats. |
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| 3. A non-paddling tiller and caller must be in position during practice. |
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| 4. The caller is the captain (and decision-maker) during practice. |
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| 5. The caller must review basic safety rules with the paddlers at the beginning of each practice. |
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| 6. There must be at least eight experienced paddlers, and no more than twenty-two paddlers, to use a DSUSA dragon boat for practice. The eight-paddler minimum applies during fair weather conditions and must be increased as weather and water conditions warrant, as outlined in the “Guidelines For Weather/Currents.” |
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| 7. Individuals must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved, adjusted, and fastened, personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Inflatable PFDs are not permitted. |
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| 8. One extra paddle and PFD should be carried in the boat during practice. |
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| 9. Individuals are not permitted to operate or use DSUSA dragon boats while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. |
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| 10. Paddlers must notify the caller of any physical conditions that may affect their ability to react or respond in an emergency. A caller may decline to seat paddlers that he or she feels are not able perform the duties associated with paddling. |
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| 11. The caller and the tiller must be on the lookout for dangerous situations at all times, be aware of river hazards, and avoid hazardous places, as outlined in the “Guidelines For River Hazards.” |
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| 12. All practices must be held close to the shore and in permitted areas, as outlined in the “Areas of Operation.” |
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| 13. If paddlers are changing positions on the boat during a practice, all other paddlers must obey the “brace the boat” command from the caller. |
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14. Red and green bow lights and a white stern light must be displayed on DSUSA dragon boats used between sunset and sunrise. Lights should be bright enough to be visible from at least 100 yards away.
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15. In an emergency, remain with the boat. It is advised that at least one person on the boat carry a mobile phone in a waterproof case for making emergency calls.
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| 16. To the extent not stated above, state and federal laws and regulations (including, but not limited to, U.S. Coast Guard rules) governing boating and river navigation must be followed. |
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| Guidelines for Weather/Currents |
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| DSUSA reserves the right to cancel all practices in the event of severe weather conditions. Teams with practices scheduled during these times will be issued credits for missed practices. |
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| Wind: If strong winds are forecasted, the minimum number of paddlers must be increased to correspond with the increased wind resistance. If winds are forecasted between 10 and 15 kts, the minimum number of experienced paddlers must be increased to at least 10 and preferably should be increased to 12. If winds are forecasted between 15 and 20 kts, the minimum number of experienced paddlers must be increased to at least 14 and preferably should be increased to 16. If winds are forecasted above 20 kts, teams must not go out. Please refer to the wind speeds posted by the Willamette Sailing Club at http://www.willamettesailingclub.com/weather.html for specific data. |
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| Current: If the river current is strong, as happens during heavy rains, the minimum number of paddlers should be increased to correspond with the increased river flow. Consult the NWS River Forecast Data for the Willamette River at Portland (http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?PRTO3) for specific data and a link to the hydrologic predictions. The DSUSA board will monitor this data and send announcements to team captains as increased numbers of paddlers are required or if practices must be canceled. Please note that even if strong currents subside, practices may remain canceled if dangerous large debris is present. |
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| Lightning: If there is lightning forecasted or present in the immediate area, DSUSA dragon boats are not allowed to go out and boats that are on the river must return to the dock. |
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| Fog/Reduced Visibility: A minimum of 150 yards of unrestricted visibility must be available for DSUSA dragon boats to go out. The tiller is responsible for determining whether there is enough visibility to safely conduct a practice. Extra care should be exercised in the presence of any fog or similar reduced visibility conditions. Teams caught on the river during a sudden fog should proceed with extreme caution, stopping often to look and listen for other boats. |
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| Guidelines for River Hazards |
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| Debris: Generally, debris is not moving fast enough to do serious damage or cause injuries. Nonetheless, contact should be avoided. Debris that accumulates against docks, barges, etc., on the upstream side poses the greatest danger because the water can flow through the debris, but a boat or person cannot. These are known by most boaters as “strainers” and they can be quite dangerous as swimmers can be pinned under or against the debris by a strong current. |
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| Wakes: Wakes can swamp a dragon boat if taken directly on the side or the bow. In addition, some dragon boats may be overturned. It is best to head into or away from wakes at a 30 to 45 degree angle. |
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Other Boats:
• Callers and tillers should be aware that they and the paddlers can block visibility of the bow and stern lights. When another boat is approaching, the tiller should turn the boat so that its lights are visible to the other boat.
• Be aware of the Ross Island Sand & Gravel tugs and barges and where they travel. Also be aware that the tugs sometimes operate without running lights on the fronts of the barges and that the barges obscure the lights of the tug, making them effectively invisible from the front on dark nights.
• Be aware of large tour boats (such as the Portland Spirit/Crystal Dolphin/Willamette Star), especially when exiting the marina.
• Jet skis, wakeboard boats, and other speed craft can create big wakes. Nuisance boaters may be reported (be sure to get a hull identification number) to the Multnomah County Sheriff River Patrol Unit. If you have a mobile phone, with you and it is safe to do so, you may call 503-243-7952. Otherwise a Marine Safety Complaint form is available at http://www.mcso.us/public/forms/river_patrol_complaint_form.pdf.
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| Areas of Operation |
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DSUSA dragon boats are not permitted:
• Along the seawall (west side) downstream from (north of) the marina.
• Downstream (north of) the Steel Bridge.
• In the middle of the channel, except to cross the river
• The shallow areas immediately downstream and upstream from Ross Island. Grounding the boat can cause serious damage, and there is a risk of injury if paddlers are forced to get into the water to float the boat free. |
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Areas to exercise caution:
• The Holgate Channel (between Ross Island and the east shore) is especially dangerous at night because of the tugs/barges. At all times, teams should stay close to shores in the Channel. When the river is low, it is best to stick to the east shore as larger boats tend to hug the west shore (closest to the island) where the water is deeper.
• The entrance to the lagoon on Ross Island. Watch for exiting tugs.
• Areas directly upstream from the marinas and the Zidell barge (strainer hazard).
• The area near the barge pier/conveyor belt just upstream (south of) from OMSI. The conveyor transports rock debris into barges—when it is running, lights on the side of it come on, and teams must keep clear of this area and any barges that are being loaded (as barges can sometimes flip over during the loading process). |
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| DSUSA Board revised and approved, May 19, 2010. |
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