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THE Singapore dragon boat rowers decided to junk the life jackets because they were told that this was optional.
They also found the safety jackets issued by the Cambodians bulky and 'not designed for competititve racing', said the report released by the safety inquiry panel on Friday.
'The wearing of life jackets was understood to be optional', said the panel but it pointed out that life jackets are not compulsory in other races too.
'A proposal was made by some members not to wear life jackets as they were bulky and impeded rowing. Although some team members were uneasy about the race conditions, no one voiced their reservations and went along with the team's decision not to wear life jackets.'
The 22 rowers were also not used to the paddles which came in various non-standard sizes - some were longer or shorter than others, and they were heavier than usual. The paddle blade was also much smaller than the ones they were used to.
The boat they raced in also did not conform to the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) standards, said the report.
The fact-finding team that went to Phnom Penh in December noted that the boat had a round bottom, with no pronounced keel. This made the boat less stable in water.
'All rowers noted that the boat was less stable and more rocky in water, compared to dragon boats they had rowed in previously. Hence, the rowers had to modify their style which made things more difficult,' the panel found.
The rowers also reported that the freeboard of the boat when packed with the paddlers was low and this caused the boat to take in water during the practice session and the race.
The boat also did not have a proper rudder, forcing the two coxswains to steer the boat using their paddles.
No formal briefing
Although the Cambodians told the fact-finding team that the Singaporean rowers were given a clear safety briefing, none of the members and officials could recall there was one.
What they had understood was that the wearing of life jackets was optional.
The Singapore team also noted that none of the other Asean teams, except for a few members of the Malaysian team, donned the jackets.
Six-hour wait for race to begin
The report highlighted the nearly six-hour wait before the race got underway on the Tonle Sap river on Nov 23 last year.
'The team was initially told that the race was scheduled at 11 am. But they were made to wait at the competitors' tentage until 4 pm. This made the team lethargic,' said the report.
'When the team was towed to the start point at 4 pm, the team was made to wait a further 45 to 60 minutes before the race began.'
For more reports, read Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
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