Minneapolis Rowing Club Low Light Policy (revised 8/2024)

This Low Light Policy applies beginning 30 minutes prior to sunset, and continuing until sunrise the following morning. In this time period, special requirements are in place for the safety of MRC members and others on the water.

 

Rowing in private boats

 

MRC rowers with private boats must follow legal requirements regarding lighting, and should wear high visibility (hi-viz) shirts, vests or jackets to enhance their visibility to others on the water. If joining a coached program in private boat, the requirements for MRC club boats apply.

 

Rowing in MRC club boats

 

No boats may launch later than 30 minutes prior to sunset, nor earlier than 60 minutes prior to sunrise.

 

Rower requirements:

• Hi-viz shirts, vests OR jackets must be worn by all members of the crew. (MRC has a supply on the second floor near the cox boxes)
• All boats must use properly attached bow and stern lighting.
• For independent rowing reservations in CLUB boats, the bow seat rower must have a Level IV/Advance bow listing designation.
• In a coached session, all boats must stay within 100 yards of the coaching launch.
• A headlamp is strongly recommended for coxes for bow-loaded coxed boats.
• Launches are required for all evening rowing in CLUB boats (independent and programs) if rowers plan to stay out past sunset.

Coach/Launch requirements:

• It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that rowers are following the above requirements in a coached session, including 
  • Hi-viz attire
  • Boat lighting, and 
  • Rowers assigned to bow positions according to their bow listing.
• Launches must have proper bow and stern lighting.
• Coach must be able to identify which boats they are responsible for and stay within 100 yards of them.
• Coaches may supervise a maximum of 5 boats per launch.

General guidance:

• It is strongly recommended that someone, coach or other, be on dock with a white light when club boats land in order to direct boats to dock.
• Private boat owners are strongly recommended to row with a launch past sunset.