THE Singapore national dragon boat team should only race in events that comply with standards set by its international governing body, so that the rowers will be racing with equipment and conditions they are familiar with.

This is one of the key recommendations made by a safety inquiry panel which was set up to probe the sequence of events and factors that led to the drowning of five Singapore national team rowers in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia, on Nov 23 last year.

The seven-member inquiry committee, chaired by Brigadier-General Bernard Tan Kok Kiang, recommended a slew of hazard management and preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in future, after reviewing the safety measures, procedures, structures and equipment that should be standard features in future water sports events.

The panel did not blame any one thing or anyone for the catastrophe but went to some length about the Cambodian organisers' handling of the event.

But the panel said that despite the tragedy, dragon boating is a safe sport.

'The incident is a reminder that even in safe sports, accidents can and do happen, and safety in sports is not something to be taken light,' it said.

'It would be a great tragedy for the sport, for the fraternity in Singapore if we learnt nothing from this tragedy. It is thus very important that we highlight the shortcomings, and take positive steps to correct these, making the sport safer for generations to come.'

On its recommendation that the Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) and its affiliates take part only in races that comply with IDBF rules, the panel said the international body has set clear guidelines on all safety aspects of the races, including the conduct, organisation of events and equipment to ensure that rowers can compete in conditions that are safe.

Where the conditions vary from those laid down by IDBF, the panel said the association or its affiliates must take mitigating steps to minimise the risks.

For example, if the boat and paddles used in an event are significantly different, effort must be made to allow the team taking part to practise and become familiar with the equipment.

By adopting this recommendation, SDBA will be mandated to study and find out more about the event before accepting an invitation to participate.

The panel also recommends that the SDBA take steps to ensure that their teams comply with the IDBF water safety policy and the safety standing procedures for dragon boat clubs and crews while training.

The association should, in its SOPs, clearly define the roles and responsibilities of key team members including the team manager, coach, coxswain and captain. This will help them carry out their duties properly.

Swimming tests for all rowers
The panel also recommended that the SDBA implement swimming tests for all its rowers, as it feels that water confidence is essential in any water sport.

The IDBF rule sates that ideally, all members in a dragon boat crew should be able to swim at least 50 metres when dressed in light clothing.

Teams should identify the weak swimmers and make the wearing of life jackets compulsory whenever rowers are on the water.

Other recommendations include making capsize and swamping drill an integral part of practice for every dragon boat crew and putting in place a proper and selection and training system in preparation for races.

For more reports, read Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.