berrimar ([info]berrimar) wrote,
@ 2005-03-05 15:48:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
The Sad Story of St. Cuthbert's Society BC (Durham) B
As ever, clicky for bigger.

Not a good day for these girls, really. First they caught a whopping crab:
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

I only took this picture because it was such a boat stopper, the significance of the boat only became apparent later...
Obviously, they finished the race, and turned and started rowing back, against an admittedly nasty headwind... when they got caught on the black buoy:

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

No amount of shaking would get them off:
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

and soon, it was time for "feet out!":
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Here we go!
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

CRACK!!
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Well scampered:
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Stay with the boat:
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

There's TWO black Buoys??
Image hosted by Photobucket.com


Page 1 of 2
<<[1] [2] >>

(Post a new comment)

Oh dear
(Anonymous)
2005-03-05 09:54 pm UTC (link)
Oops, I know their boatman - he won't be happy...
makes our crashing in Yorkshire today nothing...
Leon

(Reply to this)

saw the boat afterwards...
(Anonymous)
2005-03-05 10:16 pm UTC (link)
... and it was not pretty! how did they manage it- the thing had yellow flashing lights on top and everything!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: saw the boat afterwards... - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 08:31 pm UTC
They're all OK
(Anonymous)
2005-03-05 10:33 pm UTC (link)
Talking to some of the rescuers afterwards as I helped to carry the stern part of the broken boat up to Vesta, I understand that the crew and cox are safe and well after their scary experience.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Cant believe it!!! - (Anonymous), 2005-03-05 11:38 pm UTC
Re: They're all OK - (Anonymous), 2005-03-13 08:54 pm UTC
Penalised too
(Anonymous)
2005-03-06 10:02 am UTC (link)
Glad that they were rescued safely. I see from the results that they got a time penalty too.

David Biddulph

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Glad all are well - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 03:58 pm UTC
Re: Penalised too - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 08:53 pm UTC
Re: Penalised too - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 04:35 pm UTC
Cox's Lifejacket
(Anonymous)
2005-03-06 05:47 pm UTC (link)
Any particular reason why the cox decided not to deploy life jacket?!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 06:40 pm UTC
Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 08:51 pm UTC
Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 09:16 pm UTC
Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 10:12 am UTC
Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 01:17 pm UTC
Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 06:18 pm UTC
Re: Cox's Lifejacket - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 07:07 pm UTC

[info]alex_piggy
2005-03-06 06:41 pm UTC (link)
Hope they're ok. I heard that a few of them were taken to hospital with hypothermia.

Interesting to note that they obviously didn't obey the rule of not stopping to put clothes on before well clear of the black buoy. Looks like the girl at three was halfway through putting her trousers on so they can't have been rowing all eight. That was quite probably one of the factors that led to this happening.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

pictures - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 07:44 pm UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-06 07:12 pm UTC (link)
Impressed to see that a novice crew kept their heads in such a situation. They had been well informed by their coaches before hand of the capsize drill, possibly a life saver. 99% of crews put their clothes on before reaching the black buoy, maybe the rule should be more strongly enforced? Really impressed with the way fellow Durham colleges and other boat clubs helped out.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 08:36 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]berrimar, 2005-03-06 09:16 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 09:52 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 10:54 pm UTC
Safety - [info]berrimar, 2005-03-06 11:19 pm UTC
Re: Safety - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 02:10 am UTC
Re: Safety - [info]berrimar, 2005-03-07 06:42 am UTC
Re: Safety - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 11:04 am UTC
Re: Safety - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 03:07 pm UTC
Re: Safety - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 03:50 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 10:57 pm UTC
Bumps - (Anonymous), 2005-03-06 11:40 pm UTC
Re: Bumps - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 11:32 am UTC
Re: Bumps - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 03:26 pm UTC
Re: Bumps - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:23 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 08:41 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 10:09 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 10:59 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 06:42 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 10:58 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 04:13 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 11:01 am UTC
helping and protecting our fellow rowers - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 03:26 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 09:10 pm UTC

[info]gexko
2005-03-07 09:10 am UTC (link)
the infamous black buoy claims another victim.

shame i'm in thailand and couldn't see it in person.

oh well, such a hard life.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 08:39 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 09:17 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]gexko, 2005-03-11 04:41 am UTC
How?
(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 10:08 am UTC (link)
I'm really pleased that everyone got out of the water safely, but just from the point of view of idle curiosity - how did it happen? The Black Buoy is kind of big, and there should be marshals around, not to mention other crews - wasn't someone looking out for these people? Pauline, TSS

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: How? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 11:13 am UTC
Re: How? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 12:02 pm UTC
Re: How? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 12:11 pm UTC
Re: How? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 06:28 pm UTC
Re: How? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:05 am UTC
Re: How? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:35 am UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 11:27 am UTC (link)
I am a member of Cuth's A team and would like to give my opinion about the crash. I think we (A and B team) were well informed about the possible dangers of rowing on the Thames. Accidents can happen to anybody. I think it is very unfair to imply (by showing the catching of a crab earlier that day) that our B team was inadequate to row in this race. I have seen teams that looked less experienced but were just luckier. As mentioned by some people above it was partly thanks to our preparation that nobody got hurt. And my impression from the girls in team B is that they are not heavily traumatised and relieved that they knew how to act when it happened.

I think the response of the rescuers was fantastic.

Ilona (subbing from Ustinov Boat Club)


(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 12:31 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 01:35 pm UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 11:48 am UTC (link)
if they accepted proper rowers into their university, they might get somewhere.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 12:04 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 01:15 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 05:19 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 02:22 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-10 04:11 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-12 03:05 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2007-02-12 05:58 pm UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 12:23 pm UTC (link)
I am very disappointed with the comments that are now emerging on this website. It initially began with a serious discussion about the accident and has now deteriorated into a slanging match. Please, let's keep the discussion appropriate. The accident is no reflection on the ability of the rowers of this crew and you would realise this is you were fully informed. They were fully competent rowers. How is the fact that they were provided with free transport relevent whatsoever? And are you suggesting that because they came second to last they shouldn't row? What a ridiculous idea! Somebody must come at the bottom in every race and Hatfield and other college crews are testament to the fact that Durham college crews are valued competitors in the event.

Let's keep this website as a respectable discussion about the accident and learn from it rather than using it as an excuse to bring up the tired discussion about whether college crews should enter.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 01:21 pm UTC
We can't afford to have these sorts of incidents...
(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 01:06 pm UTC (link)
Each time this sort of thing happens because crews are not competent to deal with the conditions, we are viewed in a bad and dangerous light by the PLA / Lifeboats / Salvage Association who are currently assessing the danger of Tideway Rowing.

Usually the crews screwing up are NON Tideway crews. But the crews that will take the flak if changes are imposed as a result of these sort of accidents will be local crews who are competent in rough, tidal waters - the LRCs/AKs/TRCs/SOTTs/PTRCs, etc. when visiting crews return to their more sheltered waters.

So if we seem to have a Not In My Back Yard approach, then that's why, particularly given the shite conditions for the big heads on the Tideway.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: We can't afford to have these sorts of incidents... - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:21 am UTC
We can't afford to have these sorts of incidents... - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:56 pm UTC
Re: We can't afford to have these sorts of incidents... - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 05:51 pm UTC
Re: We can't afford to have these sorts of incidents... - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:15 pm UTC
Re: We can't afford to have these sorts of incidents... - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 09:39 am UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 01:19 pm UTC (link)
As an unbiased observer I whole heartedly agree with the above comment that this discussion has degenerated into unecessary territory. Durham colleges, and in this case St Cuthbert's Society, have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and, as has been pointed out, many of the Durham college crews came in between 100-200, including St. Cuthbert's S4 crew. In fact, although this serious accident may have been due to inexperience (and bad luck) on the part of some, what must be considered is the outstanding way in which this novice crew handled the situation, made possible from their pre-race training and safety talks, and the brilliant response from rescuers, other Durham colleges and other boat clubs. Unhelpful and derogatory comments like some of those posted above are written by people who are apparently ill informed about much of the days events, and ignorant of the details about the training and competence of the crew in question. Let's let the ARA investigation draw its own informed conclusions and just be thankful that all the crew escaped unhurt from what could have been a tragedy.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 01:34 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 06:10 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 02:31 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 06:19 pm UTC
Pulling a boat or body off a Buoy
(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 02:40 pm UTC (link)
You use your throw bag.
Throw, secure your end to the launch (if you find yourself on your own). Request that they do the same in boat, to the rigger so if it does pull the rigger off the hull remains intact. Tow (gently) into the stream to pull the hull off and then tow to the side
I have to say once in this situation getting off the buoy was probably not going to happen. Anyone who has snared a buoy or moored object on the tideway will know the feeling, you have to be very good or very lucky to get off in one piece.
As for removing the girl from the Buoy, again throw bag. Make sure she has a secure grip stand off and up stream to the buoy. You then tell her to jump into the water as far out from the buoy as possible if necessary tow her clear of the buoys further down river before cutting your engine and retrieving her. Why tow her? The buoys are moored so that you will be swept back on somewhere around Vesta while attempting to pull her on board if on the outside, inside is not an option since you will be swept onto an eight rowing up river.
Would all clubs/schools where ever you are make sure that your coaches have throw bags or home made equivalent in their launch, on their bike or in their coaching single.
Aside from that well done to the girls for staying with the two halves!!!!
Very well done to all those in the launches who pulled them out, off all are safe.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: Pulling a boat or body off a Buoy - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 09:23 pm UTC
competencey
(Anonymous)
2005-03-07 03:05 pm UTC (link)
The cox in question WAS briefed about coxing on the Tideway and DID see the video, more than once in fact. I think the feelings of the girls should be considered in this discussion, as it may upset them, because it was clearly a frightening experience. Well done to them for coping well under the circumstances and especially well done to the fast response of the guy in the rescuing boat. I think he should be commended.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 04:38 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 04:46 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 05:16 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 05:20 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 07:20 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 01:00 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-07 08:02 pm UTC
Re: competencey - [info]berrimar, 2005-03-07 10:16 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 10:42 am UTC
Re: competencey - [info]berrimar, 2005-03-08 11:48 am UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 04:05 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 11:21 am UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-14 10:42 am UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:17 am UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 07:44 pm UTC
Re: competencey - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:24 pm UTC
Wait
(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 09:03 am UTC (link)
Fascinating to read the comments here regarding the incident. It is always interesting to hear differing versions and perceptions of events.

Perhaps it would be prudent to wait for a full account of the incident prior to apportioning blame on any one party.

Did any of you realise that the entire safety team is kept in place until after the last returning crew is well clear of the black buoy?

The marshall on the bank reported the incident by radio to race control as soon as the crew got into difficulty. He was already in a launch when he made a second call to report that the crew were going into the water.

The safety boat which had spent the entire race above black buoy had been responding to a request for assistance from the finish safety boat because a total of eight crews were either caught on buoys or grounded below putney rail bridge. (Given that all the crews had raced past the buoy at that time it would appear to be a reasonable decision). That boat which was opposite putney pier when called, then raced back to the black buoy to lend assistance. Two further boats, the PLA and RNLI were also requested to help and until the crew were confirmed safe they swept the area to check for further people in the water.

Crews will always get into difficulty during a race. St Cuthberts were particularly unlucky but in total 15 crews were reported to have engaged with the bank or buoys. The majority were not tideway crews but some were. Every year on average 1 crew end up in the water.

With 4 1/4 miles of river to patrol, even with 9 safety boats, three ambulances, three doctors, three PLA vessels, two RNLI boats and 40-50 marshals and umpires accidents will happen.

Lets be thankful that all are safe, non required hospitalisation and the only damaged items are a boat and some pride.

(Reply to this)

Tideway Slag?
(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 09:14 am UTC (link)
Does anyone know why The Tideway Slug is so bitter? Comments suggesting that coaches/ crews from Durham colleges shouldn't be down here are unhelpful. Slagging off coxes that don't steer a correct line at the Schools Head are unreasonable. There are many a twickenham crew that show the 'muppetry' always reserved for our Tideway visitors. The Tideway Slug suggests that particularly Durham college crews should have there own bumps races and not dare to set foot on the tidal Thames- out of the last 50 placed crews at Womens Head, 20% row on the tideway day in day out! The Tideway Slug also states that only 165 crews raced at Womens Head, shouldn't that be 265. Certainly 249 got finish times. Oh and I suspect the reason the entry was not higher this year is because the race took place 2 days before Schools Head. The Slug should know enough about rowing to realise that school crews asked to race the Head course twice in 48 hours would probably be a bit tired for the one that counts. Come on Slug- stop being so bitchy!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: Tideway Slag? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 10:58 am UTC
Re: Tideway Slag? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:05 pm UTC
Re: Tideway Slag? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 01:24 pm UTC
Re: Tideway Slag? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 06:40 pm UTC
Re: Tideway Slag? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-25 11:29 am UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 11:03 am UTC (link)
well if you will have a smurf as your 5 man, these things are bound to happen...

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-10 06:39 pm UTC
What happened first?
(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 11:05 am UTC (link)
Could I just ask the photographer, or anyone on the scene, what happened before the pictures we see here? It appears that the boat has drifted onto the black buoy, sterwards and to bowside. Is this the case? Here I am implying that the crew possibly rowed past the black buoy and then drifted back onto it. I suppose another possibility is that the crew have rowed through the black buoy on their way past it. ALthough I would have thought if that were the case oars closer to the bows would have become entangled.
It has been suggested that 3 was in the process of putting on her leggings at the time and that the full crew were not rowing. Is this the case?
In the photos you have provided we can see clearly that the only oar to be infringed by the black buoy is 7s. I don't understand why at the very least bow 4 could not row on and therefore release the boat. in fact in the first picture bow and three are sitting quite nicely at backstops. I would suggest that in this situation it would have been quite easily solved at this first picture stage by bow 4 (or even 5) rowing on.
I'm concerned that 6 is holding on to the buoy. Why is this? It appears that in the next picture the BB has been pulled even closer to the boat, thus lifting 5s blade over the top of it and leaning the boat precariously on to strokeside. Again I find it hard to understand how this as happened as in pic1 5 seems to be in control of her oar.
This seems to have been an incident that could have been avoided very easily. The black buoy is notorious. I believe it was the late great Harry Mahon who said "There are two things visible from space. One of them is the Great Wall of China, the other is the f'ing black buoy!".
I do think that it is made quite clear to stay clear of it. This could all have been avoided if this crew had done so.
Beyond that it does seem that either the inexperience of the cox and crew has turned an embarassing but easily solvalble mistake in to an extremely dangerous near tragedy.
Let this be a lesson to us all.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: What happened first? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 02:44 pm UTC
Re: What happened first? - [info]berrimar, 2005-03-08 04:20 pm UTC
Re: What happened first? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:38 pm UTC
Oh Cuths.
(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 11:06 am UTC (link)
What would Ian Lawson say?...

(Reply to this)

Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid?
(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 11:26 am UTC (link)
Anyone who suggests that Durham colleges shouldn't do Tideway need their heads examined. College rowing is a great opportunity for those who don't want to or can't row at top level to be involved in the sport. Rowing for DUBC requires an enormous commitment and many fine rowers choose to enjoy other things at uni but still want to row - hence the role for colleges. Many of these crews are considerably better than most comedy uni squads and in good years they sometimes beat crews from big clubs. All you have to do is look at the Cuths mens crew from a few years ago that became the first Durham college VIII to qualify for Henley and the Hatfield women of a few years back. The colleges also feed through to the DUBC squad and vice versa i.e. people fed up with uni 'retire' to their college crews. Novices need to start somewhere and everyone's been a novice once. They need and want the experience of big races and someone has to come last. Suggesting that they not row at Tideway is simply ridiculous. What does need to be addressed is the organisation at some of these clubs. An inexperienced cox should never be taking a novice crew to Tideway. Coaches need to address these situations. If conditions are so bad that it is not safe for a novice crew to boat then the race organisers should take the decision to call off the novice category.

If we're going to go down this road then here's a suggestion: let's ban gash crews completely. It'll be an awfully lonely sport in a few years. Respect to the cuths girls for keeping their heads and dealing with the situation as well as they did.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:38 am UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:40 am UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 11:47 am UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:06 pm UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 12:41 pm UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 01:26 pm UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 02:01 pm UTC
Re: Durham colleges not to do tideway... are you stupid? - (Anonymous), 2005-03-08 03:24 pm UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 02:45 pm UTC (link)
Our novice crew whilst in their marshalling position,were hit by Thames who rowed into them full pelt. So it isnt always bumbleef*ck colleges that make stupid mistakes!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

stop complaining!!! - (Anonymous), 2005-03-11 08:55 am UTC
Re: stop complaining!!! - (Anonymous), 2005-03-16 03:29 pm UTC
COX COX COX WERES THE COX
(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 05:32 pm UTC (link)
How the hell could the cox not see the yellow buoy aka the big black 1,not like its a little thing its bloody huge,will laugh so much if the cox has 2 pay for the damage!hehehehehehe,and yer what happened 2 staying with the boat,sod your life its about staying with the boat till it sinks!!!!!!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

Re: COX COX COX WERES THE COX - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 08:54 am UTC

(Anonymous)
2005-03-08 11:28 pm UTC (link)
\it would be interesting to see if there would be such a debate if it was an Oxbridge college crew that sank. Magdelene Cambs (B?) didnt do very well as i recall, if it had been them would any one suggest they dont enter simply because the Cam is nothing like the thames? i seriously doubt it!

(Reply to this)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 10:56 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 11:55 am UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2005-03-09 06:43 pm UTC
touchy touchy - (Anonymous), 2005-03-10 01:22 pm UTC
Re: touchy touchy - (Anonymous), 2005-03-10 03:40 pm UTC

Page 1 of 2
<<[1] [2] >>

Create an Account
Forgot your login?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…