MRC Safety

Check out the map of our section of the Mississippi River for traffic patterns, buoys and landmarks.

Check Mississippi River temperature and other data here.

Cold Water Policy
Club equipment will only be used as described below when cold water rowing conditions exist, defined as water temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, as determined by the Commodore.

  • When the water temperature is below 45 degrees, all club-owned boats must be accompanied by a launch and must remain within 500 meters of that launch. The boats must be signed out in the MRC log book, listing the name of the launch driver who is accompanying those boats.

  • When the water temperature is between 45 and 55 degrees, club-owned boats must stay in groups of two or more, and must remain within 250 meters of all other boats in their group. The boats must be signed out in the club log book, listing all other boats in the group.

    Owners of private equipment are strongly encouraged to follow the above guidelines, and are expected to make responsible and mature decisions in an effort to promote safe and responsible rowing for all club members.

    These guidelines establish a minimum safety standard. All rowers are encouraged to use extreme caution in any conditions that pose a risk of hypothermia.

    Low-Light Policy
    All boats rowing after sunset or before sunrise are required by Minnesota law to display a white light that is visible from a distance of at least two miles.

    In addition, all club-owned boats which are rowing more than thirty minutes before sunrise or more than thirty minutes after sunset must be accompanied by a launch unless specifically exempted by the Commodore. Sunset and sunrise times are to be determined by the Commodore, and are published in the Department of Natural Resources' publication "Minnesota Boating Guide."
    The boats must be signed out in the MRC log book, listing the name of the launch driver who is accompanying those boats.

    Owners of private equipment are strongly encouraged to follow the above guidelines, and are expected to make responsible and mature decisions in an effort to promote safe and responsible rowing for all club members.

    These guidelines establish a minimum safety standard. All rowers are encouraged to use extreme caution in low-light conditions, including those that exist due to weather conditions.

    US Rowing Safety Resources
    Search here for safety pre-practice checklists, guidelines, bulletins, and equipment resources.