COASTGUARD SafeTRX
The use of SafeTrx by our competitors is an integral part of our safety plan. It is mandatory that all competitors carry a mobile phone or a VHF radio in the race, in the case of 2, 4 or 6 person craft, the requirement is 1 paddler carry a mobile phone.
SafeTrx is a Smartphone App for both Android & Apple iOS devices that allows you to have your journey recorded and monitored if needed by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard. Competitors will carry their personal mobile phone in a waterproof pouch during the race using the SafeTrx app in TRACK ONLY mode.
The Purpose of SafeTrx for our event is so your trip can be shared with your friends or family, so they always know your exact GPS location.
If there is a paddler safety issue during the Mandurah Duel the SafeTRX user will be able to activate a ‘distress call’ or ‘request for assistance’ which communicates with the Australian Coast Guard and emergency services.
Please download the SafeTrx app, register an account and become familiar with how the app works during training. For paddling, we recommend using the TRACK ONLY mode and sharing it with a friend or family member before you head out for a paddle. “Track Only” trips still record your trip on the handset (and to your trip history on the boater’s website) and allows you to review and replay it later. Unlike “sail plan” trips, no ETA is provided, and the Coast Guard does not monitor your trip.
Instructions for the Mandurah Duel
All paddlers will be required to activate SafeTrx in Track Only Mode as soon as they enter the water and begin paddling. If you get into trouble and you are unable to draw attention from a DUEL Support Boat, you will be able to activate the Call for Help button which enables you to call 000 or the Aust Coast Guard – your exact GPS location will be available to them so the safety vessels can come to your aid.
Download link
https://coastguard.com.au/safetrx
Helpful Information and FAQ’s can be found on the app or when you log into your account here
https://safetrx.coastguard.com.au/teamsandregistrations
Download Links – Click Image
PADDLER ABILITY
Paddlers are reminded that adequate training for this race is recommended, experience is required - this is not for beginners. All Paddlers Must be able to swim, tread water and have on them safety equipment as outlined in the Duel Terms and Conditions.
WATERWAYS SAFETY PLAN
Event Context
This plan has been prepared for the Mandurah Ocean Club - The Mandurah DUEL. It is a safety and risk management advice recommended to all participants, in addition to the official regatta package.
Course Design
The event will utilise one of two course formats:
1. Dawesville Cut to Doddis Beach (Ocean Side) - preferred
2. Dawesville Cut to Doddis Beach (Estuary Side)
The course design has the following benefits from a safety point of view:
1. The ocean course follows the coastline generally within 1km
2. The Estuary or inland course is used when ocean conditions are deemed unsafe
Weather Conditions
The plan for the DUEL is to take place with South Westerly wind conditions. Slower categories will start the race before the faster categories. Start times will be determined to ensure that finish times are close together for the different starting groups.
The weather conditions will be reviewed prior to the event and monitored on the morning of the race to ensure conditions are acceptable and not outside recommended governing body guidelines.
If conditions are not suitable to race the ocean course, the Race Director will consider using the alternate inland course (see map 3). This will start at the Dawesville cut.
As mentioned in the regatta package - If in the unfortunate event that conditions are deemed unsafe on both courses, due to extreme weather conditions, cancellation of the DUEL will be at the discretion of the Race Director and DUEL Committee.
Paddler Requirements
Paddlers on registering for this event, via nominated governing bodies -Webscorer for Ski and SUP paddlers Terms and Conditions and for Outriggers AOCRA registration portal they understand the risks and acknowledge that they have read and understood the event water safety plan including their responsibilities in it (e.g. helping a distressed paddler, rendering assistance or alerting an official to the assistance of a stressed paddler etc.)
Paddlers are to carry a mobile phone in a suitable water-resistant bag. All paddlers will receive the MOC Race Director contact number to advise if withdrawing or in an emergency.
We also recommend downloading the SafeTRX app - details above
Paddlers must carry a red or orange smoke flare and carry on their person which is accessible in case of an emergency.
All single and double craft paddlers are always required to be connected by a leg leash and have a bailer specifically for the V1.
All single and double craft paddlers must wear a Type 1,2 or 3 PFD. A race official will inspect all craft before the race.
Land Safety Personnel
The Race Director and Land Co-ordinator will be coordinating all water and land-based operations from the Mandurah Ocean Club, for the duration of the event, located inside the Registration Hall.
The Race Directors role is to be the main point of contact for all Paddlers, Safety Craft, Emergency Services, Volunteers and Supporters, if required, on or off the water in case of an emergency and to ensure all Regatta Rules, DOT Water Safety protocols and Mandurah Council, AOCRA and PWA COVID-19 safety guidelines are adhered to.
Communication on the day can be face to face OR via Mob phone or VHF radio. Applicable emergency services will be notified prior to the event by Race Director - Caroline Larkins (0402 299 334)
Land Coordinator role is responsible for maintaining the COVID-19 Safety sign in register, Overseeing and Coordinating/directing all Volunteers to their areas and roles for the day, to ensure the smooth running of the Mandurah Duel land activities.
Land Coordinator - Lorraine Korunich.
Shark Response Plan
Whilst undertaking the activity of Ocean Paddling, it is acknowledged that the activity takes place in a dynamic ecosystem in which shark’s habitat. Therefore, there is potential for a paddler to have an interaction with a shark. Whilst the risk of shark attack is very low, it is a risk which needs to be accepted by recreational water users when entering the ocean. Race Director will refer to the Government of Western Australia’s “Shark Smart” website www.sharksmart.com.au to monitor shark movement.
Role of Event Organisers with Regard to Shark Sightings
If a shark is sighted, event organisers will endeavour to advise all paddlers. A red flag will be raised by safety craft to indicate a shark has been sighted and that the race will continue. The race will continue through the red flag. In this case paddlers are responsible for determining whether to continue on their original course or to head to shore to the nearest safe location. A black flag will be raised by safety craft if a shark is sighted and deemed to pose a threat. In this circumstance the race will immediately STOP, and paddlers will be required to exit the water as quickly and safely as possible.
The paddler is the master of their craft and determines their course of action, however, if a paddler is made aware of the raising of the black flag and chooses to stay on the water, then the paddler will be banned from competing in the DUEL the following year.
It must also be noted that while water safety personnel will endeavour to advise all paddlers of shark sightings and the associated threat, there is no guarantee warnings will reach all paddlers due to the spread of competitors.
COVID-19 PADDLER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS & PLAN
Mandurah Ocean Club will nominate a Covid-19 Officer, who will be responsible for ensuring all participants follow Covid-19 guidelines as outlined below:
All participants and spectators will sign the attendance register on the day of paddling.
Observe all Safe Practice notices on view at the hall as recommended by Council and governing sporting bodies
All participants and spectators will attend the COVID briefing prior to commencement of events
Hand washing, general hygiene etiquette and social distancing requirements will
reinforced
All vendors, organisers and participants. will maintain social distancing throughout the event
There will be no sharing of personal or club equipment during the event (for example, if a paddler selects a club paddle to use for racing, they will keep that paddle for the entire session and no other paddler will be permitted to use it)
Shared equipment will be sanitised before and after each use by washing or wiping with suitable cleaner.
Each OC club will be responsible for sanitising their own shared boats between events, all shared boats will be sanitised before use, between races and before boats being stored)
Personal equipment such as paddles will only be handled by the owner
In accordance to recommendation we suggest limited physical contact between paddlers including high-fives, shaking hands or hugging
Paddlers will wash hands or use a sanitiser prior to and after each event. Mandurah Ocean Club will have sanitisation stations provided in designated areas around the event and participants and clubs are encouraged also to bring sanitiser.
There will be no spitting, clearing nose or coughing unprotected permitted - please cover your mouth to limit contact.
Paddlers will maintain social distancing including lifting/carrying large boats (unless this poses a manual handling risk)
Water bottles will not be shared, each participant/spectator will need to provide their own water bottle clearly labelled
If a paddler chooses to ignore or fails to meet event Covid-19 Guidelines they will be excluded from the event by Mandurah Ocean Club Outrigger Committee or assigned Club Covid-19 Rep
The club will place written reminders in prominent positions to promote good personal hygiene and social distancing measures
Any participant/spectator will be permitted to remind another member of current Club Covid-19 guidelines/responsibility.
If you become unwell once you have arrived at the event or during the event please immediately notify your coach/the race director, and the Covid-19 Officer.
Do not attend this event:
If you are feeling unwell; Have a fever or a cold or a flu-like illness, including symptoms such as, sore throat, cough, fatigue, or difficulty breathing; Are awaiting a COVID-19 test result; Have travelled interstate or overseas and are therefore required to self-isolate for 14 days; Have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus and are therefore required to self-isolate for 14 days.
The Mandurah Ocean Club would like to thank you all for participating in our event.
