May 4, 2023 Update

The following is a summary of the activity since the announcement of the MAAS Oarlock Clamp Failure Safety Alert on Monday.

At the request of the Open Water Rowing Center, the MAAS Boat-works is very much involved with the failure of the Oarlock Clamp to determine a safe and orderly solution. 

Ellen Braithwaite’s comparison of two versions of the Oarlock Clamp allowed the OWRC Boathouse Staff to determine there was a significant change from the original design.

OWRC sent the failed Oarlock Clamp and an older original design Oarlock Clamp to MAAS. MAAS Boat-works is conducting an investigation to determine when and how the design was changed. As soon as we get an answer from the MAAS Boat-works the results will be forwarded to the OWRC Membership.

The OWRC Boathouse staff team (Forest, Bella) was able to retrofit three rowing shells for OWRC operation with the original design Oarlock Clamps. The OWRC inventory available for rowing is as follows:

• One MAAS Classic Aero

• One MAAS Aero Winged Rigger

• One MAAS Flyweight

• One MAAS 24

• Two Lite Race

• Two Lite Sport

• One Peinert

Does OWRC have enough in the inventory to conduct training and rental?

Training of novice rowers is between 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Most of the club member’s rowers conduct their personal rowing in the early morning hours. For the club members wishing to use the rowing shells, reservations are certainly very important!

The OWRC Board and Staff realize this has been an inconvenience. The comments we are receiving are very positive about ensuring the safety of the OWRC Club Members.

Respectfully Submitted,

OWRC Management Team

Original Maas Safety Alert

May 1, 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen of Open Water Rowing Center;

Over the past several months, OWRC has experienced several incidents where an Oarlock Clamp that is used to mount the Oarlock has broken while the boat was operating in San Francisco Bay. Both Rowing Shells were being rowed by our most experienced rowers. Both rowing shells were towed back to the Boathouse without any further incident. Furthermore, the two incidents were brand new rowing shells from MAAS with less than three months of use on the water.

The OWRC Staff began looking at these clamps and it was determined that the clamps being installed with the current delivery from MAAS are different than the older clamps. OWRC never experienced any failures of the older clamps. 

In our discussions with one of the most experienced and knowledgeable boat repair man in the industry, it was his evaluation that this is a major problem that requires an immediate attention by the OWRC Management.

Therefore, the OWRC management and the concern for everyones safety of the rowers and boat owners with these newer Oarlock Clamps, OWRC will no longer provide any rowing shells for rent or for training unless they have the older versions of the Oarlock Clamp installed and operating normally. It is encumbent on the boat owners to inspect their rowing shells to determine if they require a retrofit, and not row them until a fix is clearly in place.

In our discussions with MAAS, they were informed of our decision, and they understood our concerns. MAAS is working with the manufacturer of these Oarlock Clamps to the determine the change and when they can produce a retrofit for our rowing shells.

OWRC will inspect the inventory of OWRC rowing shells that have the older clamp installed and safe for operation and place them in service, however, due to the heavy increase of New Members and training events, the training events will take priority over member rentals. OWRC staff will install some of the older clamps to some the boats to return them into service.

As soon as MAAS and OWRC get a solution to the problem, and OWRC can safely place the rowing shells back in operation, you will be notified.

Thank you very much for your consideration in this very important safety message.

Very respectfully submitted,

Wayne Aleshire

OWRC President