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Near misses in rowing: what counts and why to report

Nothing happened, so why report it? Because the next time, something might.

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.

What counts as a near miss

A near miss is an event that could have caused harm but didn't, for example two crews meeting on a blind bend, a boat drifting towards a weir, or a launch kill cord found not attached. If you thought "that could have been bad", it probably counts.

Why British Rowing wants them

British Rowing's incident reporting guidance asks for near misses as well as incidents, because they show risks before someone gets hurt and reveal trends across clubs. Reports are confidential and are not about blame. See our British Rowing incident reporting guide for how to report.

Make it easy at the club

  • Let anyone report, not just coaches and officers.
  • Make it possible from a phone, straight after the outing.
  • Close the loop: tell members what changed.

How BoatLog helps

In BoatLog every member, and the boathouse kiosk, can report an incident or near miss in a few taps. The report goes straight to the safety team's log, which only they can read, so the club has the details it needs for its British Rowing report.

BoatLog screenshot with example club data: Any member can report an incident or near miss from their phone or the boathouse kiosk.
Any member can report an incident or near miss from their phone or the boathouse kiosk. Example data from a fictional club.

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Questions

FAQ

Do near misses need to be reported to British Rowing?

Yes. British Rowing asks clubs and members to report near misses as well as incidents, because they help spot risks early.

Is a capsize an incident?

A capsize is generally worth reporting, even when nobody is hurt. Check British Rowing's incident reporting guidance for what it asks for.

Who can report a near miss?

Anyone: members, coaches, officials and non-members. British Rowing's reporting is open to all, and BoatLog lets any club member log one.

Related

Guide: British Rowing incident reporting: a club's step-by-step guide What counts as reportable, who's responsible, and how to file a report within 24 hours. Guide: The club rowing safety adviser role: duties and checklist What a club rowing safety adviser does: duties, a first-month checklist for a new adviser, and how to make the role manageable for a volunteer. Guide: Rowing in the dark: lights and winter outings What rowing clubs need to think about for dark mornings and evenings: lights on boats, being seen, local navigation rules and clear club policy.

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