BoatLog

Home / Guides / Coaching Launch Safety

Coaching launch safety: kill cords, drivers and checks

The launch is the club's rescue boat. It needs a qualified driver, a kill cord and a quick check every time.

By Civil Digital, the team building BoatLog · Last updated

BoatLog is independent software from Civil Digital. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by British Rowing or any organisation named in this guide. Always check the current official guidance and follow your club's own procedures.

The essentials

  • Kill cord: attached to the driver whenever the engine is running, with a spare on board.
  • Qualified driver: British Rowing guidance expects launch drivers to hold an RYA Powerboat Level 2 or equivalent. Check its current guidance and any rules for young drivers.
  • Pre-use check: fuel, kill cord, engine, hull, bung, and that the safety kit is on board.
  • Safety kit: throw line, buoyancy aids, first aid, a way to call for help, and a blanket in winter.

British Rowing has published safety alerts on launch driving and kill cords, and RowSafe covers launch safety.

Know who can drive

A coach who says "I've done my Powerboat 2" five years ago is common. Keeping a list of who holds the qualification, and when their first aid lapses, stops guesswork at the landing stage.

How BoatLog helps

BoatLog records qualifications such as Powerboat Level 2 and first aid against each coach, with expiry reminders. Launch defects can be reported like any boat, so a launch with a missing kill cord or a faulty engine doesn't go out.

BoatLog screenshot with example club data: Powerboat Level 2 and first aid recorded against each coach, with expiry dates.
Powerboat Level 2 and first aid recorded against each coach, with expiry dates. Example data from a fictional club.

Try BoatLog free for 14 days

Questions

FAQ

Do you need a qualification to drive a rowing coaching launch?

British Rowing guidance expects launch drivers to hold RYA Powerboat Level 2 or equivalent. Check its current guidance and your club's rules.

Must a kill cord always be worn?

Yes. The kill cord should be attached to the driver whenever the engine is running.

What safety kit should a rowing launch carry?

A throw line, buoyancy aids, a first aid kit, a way to call for help and, in cold weather, a blanket or exposure bag.

Related

Guide: Rowing swim test and capsize drill: what clubs ask for What rowing clubs ask for before someone goes on the water: the swim test, the capsize drill, why clubs differ, and how to keep track of who has done them. Guide: Pre-outing boat checks: heel restraints, bow balls and quarantining kit A quick pre-outing boat check for rowing clubs: heel restraints, bow balls, hatches, fin, lights, and what to do with a boat that fails. Guide: Rowing club emergency response plan: what to include What a rowing club emergency response plan should cover: who is on the water, who to call, access points for ambulances, and how to keep the plan usable.

Run a safer, simpler boathouse

Sign-out, safety flags, incidents, repairs and qualifications in one app built for UK rowing clubs. Start a free 14-day trial, no card required.

Start free trial Talk to us first