Since having skilled coxes allows others to get out on the water, we want to encourage members to acquire the necessary skills. Most of the skills are learnt by being mentored in the boat by an experienced cox who is on board.

Competent Cox – Introduction

One of the prime purposes of this document is to provide guidelines by which we can identify coxes suitable to cox a club open session, e.g. on a Sunday afternoon, and therefore assign suitably qualified coxes to the duty rota.

The role of a Cox in a rowing boat is :-

• Keep the boat and rowers safe at all times by properly steering the boat
• Be in command of the boat at all times
• Coach the crew when the coach is not present
• Provide motivation and encouragement to the crew
• Provide feedback on the crew’s performance
• Make any necessary tactical decisions
• Organise and direct the crew at all times, including when putting the boat away etc.
• Be responsible for the vessel; in the event of a collision, the coxswain is accountable under maritime law as ‘Master of the vessel’

Since having skilled coxes allows others to get out on the water, we want to encourage members to acquire the necessary skills. Most of the skills are learnt by being mentored in the boat by an experienced cox who is on board.

However, not every cox needs every skill, the demands of coxing during a race are quite different from a recreational outing around North Berwick waters. Both have their own challenges and require their own skills.

Here we are describing the skills required to be a Cox for a typical 1 hour outing out of North Berwick Harbour.

Other outings, whether they be around the Bass Rock, Lamb Rock, Fidra, or elsewhere require additional skills that are outside the scope of this document.

Competent Cox

Most outings at North Berwick are scheduled for 1 hour and can be supported by a Shorewatch, or an onboard VHF radio. These outings include taking non members out as part of an open session, or training on a regular club session, or an ad hoc booking. These outings require a Competent Cox on board.

When do we need a Competent Cox?

• All rowing outings from North Berwick Harbour should have a Competent Cox on board
• If the outing goes beyond the scope of this document, i.e. goes around Bass Rock or Fidra, the cox on board should at least meet all of the criteria listed in this document
• If a Novice Cox is in the coxes seat, then a Competent Cox should be on board.
• The Competent Cox should be able to assist the Novice Cox as required
• The cox in a Regatta where there are races against other Clubs (whether at North Berwick or elsewhere) should be a Competent Cox, but the normal rules apply for races at North Berwick during training outings.

Where is it safe for a Competent Cox to take a boat?

• If the Cox is reliant on a Shorewatch (i.e. they are not a certified VHF user) they should not go beyond the sight of Shorewatch and should stay within range of radio contact with the Shorewatch. How far that is depends on weather conditions.
• The area limits for an outing covered by this document are

• To the East side of Lamb Rock, but not around it (there are rock hazards to the South West)
• No further East than The Leithies – marking the Eastern edge of Milsey Bay
• Around Craigleith, but not further North
• If using a Shorewatch the cox should communicate clearly by radio with the Shorewatch before going around Craigleith (since for the duration of the rounding they will be out of sight).
• If the tide is in it may not be safe to go out of the West Bay, but there may be calm enough water to row safely within the West Bay. In this case the yacht moorings in the West Bay mark the safe water. The area within those buoys is safe to row, although there are rocks within 10m of the buoys to the North and West.

How does a Member become a Competent Cox?

A Member self-assesses by reference to the Competent Cox Skills checklist below and asks the Membership Secretary to include him or her as a Competent Cox on the Membership Directory. The Membership Secretary or any member of the Committee, does not assess or approve inclusion of a Member on the Membership Directory, but the Committee may require a member to step down as a Competent Cox and gain further experience in the event it becomes apparent that the Member has significant gaps in his or her Competent Cox skills.

Competent Cox Skills Checklist – Winter 2023/24 Training

• Is aged 16 years or older
• Is familiar with and complies with the NBRC  Rules for use of club boats
• Knows rowing terminology and commands as described here
• Understands local weather conditions and their effect on rowing

• Effect of wind on boat speed and handling
• Risk of haar (sea fog)
• Understands local tidal conditions

• How to find time of high tide
• Effect of tidal state on surf in Fairway
• Where to leave trolley safely
• Leave free access for RNLI

• Can provide basic rowing instruction to novices
• Knows what to do in an emergency
• Should be familiar with all of the safety equipment on board, including

• Lifejackets, how to use them and how to instruct others
• How to use the anchor
• How to use the tow rope
• How to use the flares
• Contents of the safety bag

• Knows what size of waves are safe and is able to handle boat in these waves
• Is knowledgeable of the safe areas to row near North Berwick Harbour, within sight of a Shorewatch

• Knows safe approach into harbour from both West and East
• Knows safe area in West Bay, and knows limits, i.e. rocks to West and North of West Bay
• Knows local conditions around Craigleith
• Knows safe distance to leave when approaching near harbour wall
• Knows when conditions are safe for an outing
• Is aware of hazard of surf in Fairway
• Can use club radios to communicate with ShoreWatch using appropriate radio protocol
• VHF licence is not mandatory if Shorewatch is available

• Is able to safely manoeuvre rowing boat in all conditions when other water users are nearby, including sailing boats, kayaks, commercial motor boats, leisure motor boats.
• Knows how to clean and store boat correctly.