Kolkata: Updated SOP paves way for resuming rowing at Rabindra Sarobar Lake

KOLKATA: Rowing activities at Rabindra Sarobar can resume in a fortnight, rowing clubs feel after receiving a revised SOP on safety measures on Wednesday. Club authorities claimed they had implemented some of the steps and would take necessary steps to execute the rest at the earliest.
“We welcome the updated SOP. We worked closely with all agencies, including police and KMDA, to finalise an SOP which is safe for rowers and convenient to execute for the clubs,” said Chandan Roy Chowdhury, secretary of Calcutta Rowing Club.

While cops stuck to the core SOPs they had formulated last month, which included updated training for rowers and Cox in emergency aquatic survival; regular capsize drill for trainees; mandatory check of weather forecast; formation of a parental advisory committee; a backup rescue team comprising experienced rowers and maajhis; deployment of multiple open-water lifeguards and frequent co-ordination committee meetings between police, KMDA, Life Saving Society of India, West Bengal Rowing Federation and the club authorities, they made modifications in three major points highlighted by the club authorities.
In the updated SOP, cops have replaced mandatory induction of a rescue boat with mandatory induction of a speedboat which should have a floatation device, air horn and communication device to be kept during a regatta or rowing practice.
Cops also suggested appointment of a “safety agency under proper supervision of a competent person” by each club, endowing him with the responsibility of overseeing enforcement of safety protocols, being vigilant about breach in protocol and apprising authorities in time.
“He will also be responsible for engaging life-guards and designating their duties during rowing hours, and maintain log books and records of rowers’ certifications and drills,” the SOP read.
Instead of deployment of water ambulances with a doctor on board, cops have agreed to the clubs’ proposal and have asked them to depute a normal ambulance, equipped with emergency medical help at a strategic location on the club premises.
“The SOP is thorough and we have started working on it. There is just one grey area where the cops have not specified if diesel-run speed boats are allowed as rescue boats. They have only mentioned the use of high-speed rescue boats. Meanwhile, we have tried out battery-operated speed boats and have found them too slow. Diesel-run speed boats are the only option fit to be used as rescue vessels,” said Debu Datta, secretary of Lake Club.