Crews must carry a copy of these instructions, the tideway navigation instructions and marshalling map with them in the boat, do not assume that you know what to do and please read these carefully.
An Empacher numberplate must be fixed to the boat with the screw provided. See details regarding boat numbers. The linen numbers must be securely fastened at each corner to the back of the bowperson and coxswain so as to be visible when the crew is racing. Crews must not boat unless their equipment is in full working order.
Crews are warned to leave their boathouses in good time - allowing 60 minutes to get to the start from Putney and 40 minutes from Hammersmith to allow for congestion of crews on the river. With 550 crews afloat all are asked to be alert to the needs of other crews at all times.
From 10.20 the centre of the river between CHISWICK BRIDGE and PUTNEY BRIDGE must be kept clear for crews racing.
ONLY CREWS RACING AND PROCEEDING TO THE START UNDER MARSHAL'S ORDERS ARE ALLOWED TO PROCEED DOWNSTREAM AFTER 10:20. ANY OTHER CREW DOING SO WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
This means any crew boating upstream of their marshalling position must allow themselves sufficient time when boating to arrive downstream of their marshalling position and turn into the side facing upstream before 10.20.
Any boat attempting to start other than in its correct position without having received instructions from a Marshal will be disqualified.
Boats will be marshalled in Eight Divisions, with Divisions One and Two marshalled together upstream of Chiswick Bridge; Division One on the outside of Division Two who will be marshalled closest to the Surrey Shore. This system will mean that congestion in the area between Chiswick and Kew Bridge will be considerably increased during marshalling and therefore strict control on late comers will be enforced.
Crews must be in the marshalling positions shown on the map at 10:20. It is imperative that crews in the first three Divisions are in place above Chiswick Bridge at this time.
Division One will turn at 10:25. While marshalling, crews must keep as close to the bank as possible. Boats must maintain their position against the tide and neither allow themselves to become bunched together or allow gaps of more than one length of clear water to open up between them.
No crew is to paddle at race or firm pressure in the marshalling area. Once in the marshalling area, crews will be under the Marshals' instructions, who must be obeyed at all times.
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