Inland navigation

Inland signs: the system

Prohibition, mandatory, restriction, recommendation, information — told apart by shape and colour.

The signs on inland waterways follow a fixed scheme:

• Prohibition signs (group A) — white board with a red border, often with a red diagonal bar. Example: no entry.
• Mandatory signs (group B) — also red-bordered; the symbol prescribes a behaviour, such as a direction to follow.
• Restriction signs (group C) — indicate limited channel depth, width or headroom.
• Recommendatory signs (group D) — e.g. the recommended navigable span of a bridge.
• Information signs (group E) — blue boards with a white symbol; they permit or inform (berth, turning area, junction).

Learning to read them

Once you have the five groups in your head you no longer need every single sign by heart: a red border means 'you must comply', blue means 'information or permission'. Auxiliary boards (white triangles, arrows, distances) narrow down where the sign applies.

See alsoSound signals on inland waterways · Small craft & commercial traffic

Sound signals on inland waterways

Course changes, going astern and danger — the language of blasts on the river.

The most important signals under the inland waterways regulations:

• one short blast (●) — 'I am directing my course to starboard.'
• two short blasts (●●) — 'I am directing my course to port.'
• three short blasts (●●●) — 'My engine is going astern.'
• four short blasts (●●●●) — 'I am unable to manoeuvre.'
• one prolonged blast (—) — attention signal, e.g. where the view is obstructed.
• a series of very short blasts — immediate danger of collision.

Stay-clear signal

If dangerous substances escape, the stay-clear signal sounds: one short and one prolonged blast, repeated without interruption. Anyone hearing it leaves the danger area at once — crosswind if possible — and closes windows and hatches.

A short blast lasts about one second, a prolonged blast about four to six seconds.

See alsoSound signals · Inland signs: the system

Upstream & downstream

The direction of travel decides rights and duties on the river.

Upstream traffic proceeds towards the source, downstream traffic with the current. With the stream behind her, a downstream vessel needs far longer to stop and is harder to manoeuvre — many rules take account of that.

Meeting

On open stretches of river it is the upstream vessel that indicates a suitable passage for the downstream vessel: she shows which side they will pass on. If she wants a starboard-to-starboard meeting, she displays the blue board with a white flashing light.

See alsoBlue board & flashing light · Small craft & commercial traffic

Blue board & flashing light

How commercial traffic announces a starboard-to-starboard meeting.

The normal case on inland waterways is to pass port to port. If a vessel — often one going upstream, looking for the quieter water near the bank — wants to pass starboard to starboard instead, she displays the blue board on her starboard side together with a white flashing light. The oncoming vessel confirms with the same signal.

For small craft this above all means: be able to read the signals of commercial traffic, and stay out of the way of the side they have announced.

See alsoUpstream & downstream · Small craft & commercial traffic

Small craft & commercial traffic

Under 20 metres the rule is: keep the way clear for commercial traffic.

Small craft — which includes almost all pleasure boats under 20 metres — must keep out of the way of commercial vessels and must not impede them. They cannot expect commercial traffic to alter course or speed on their account.

In practice

• Only cross the fairway when traffic allows — briskly and as near to right angles as possible.
• Do not cross ahead of a commercial vessel; her blind sector forward of the bow is large.
• Keep well clear of towed and pushed convoys — their suction is considerable.

See alsoInland signs: the system · Upstream & downstream · Locking through

Locking through

Report in, wait, make fast — and keep tending the lines.

At the lock: only enter on the appropriate light signal, and stay outside the waiting area until then. Small craft often lock through together with commercial vessels — in that case enter last and make fast behind the big ones, unless the lock keeper directs otherwise.

In the chamber

• Get fenders out in good time, boathook ready.
• Take bow and stern lines round a bollard or ladder and keep tending them constantly as the water rises or falls — never make them fast and walk away.
• Keep the engine ready for use; naked flames and smoking are forbidden in the chamber.
• Only leave when the exit signal permits, in the order instructed.

See alsoSmall craft & commercial traffic · Inland signs: the system