Sailing on the river is not difficult, even if you are less experienced. Please observe the navigation rules. We briefly explain a number of these rules below.

Please read these rules carefully and respect them. You will then be able to experience: I am boating safely.

1. Sailing on river currents such as the Lek, the IJsselmeer, the Nieuwe Merwede, the Noord, etc., requires a different kind of alertness than when you are used to sailing on water with weak or no currents. These rivers are subject to tides, and the water can churn where currents meet. These currents could cause your vessel to change course without you noticing or even capsize.
2. You will come across breakwaters on the river. Make sure you maintain enough distance because strong suction can develop around the breakwater, which can 'pull' the vessel towards it, as it were.
3. The river meanders (winds). Inland vessels sailing up the river may opt to sail along the 'wrong shore'. You can recognize this because the vessel is then displaying 'the blue sign'. You will see the blue sign with its white flashing light next to the wheelhouse of the vessel. If the blue sign is displayed, you are obliged to cross over to the other shore and give way to the inland shipping vessel sailing along the wrong shore.
4. You will encounter or pass large inland shipping vessels. Keep in mind these vessels can sail at 20 km per hour while you sail at approximately 9 km per hour.
5. An inland shipping vessel sailing at speed easily has a 500-meter stopping distance. Properly estimate the distance and then cross the river at right angles.
6. A captain of an inland shipping vessel with 2 layers of containers on it has a 300-meter 'blind spot' when looking across the vessel from the wheelhouse. Always make sure that you end up next to such a vessel and not in front of it. It is impossible for the captain of an inland shipping vessel to see you if you are in the blind spot.
7. The difference between sailing downstream (with the current) or upstream (against the current) can easily differ up to 6 km in speed. So if you sail across a junction and enter a body of water where you will be sailing against the current, this will result in a considerable drop in speed. It is precisely at these points that estimation errors can occur.
8. The main rule on the river is that recreational vessels sail along the banks and give way to commercial vessels that sail more towards the middle of the river. If the river police observe that you are sailing too close to the middle of the river, you will receive an irrevocable fine for dangerous boating behavior.
9. Crossing ferries have priority over recreational vessels even though they are crossing the main water. You must assume that the ferry captain will not wait for you and will continue crossing even though you may be close to the ferry. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to reverse at full speed in order to avoid a collision.
10. In principle, you sail with the shore to your starboard side. (To the right of the vessel). You can recognize this by the following: if you are sailing upstream (towards the origin of the river), you will have the GREEN buoys on your starboard side. If you are sailing with the current, you will have the RED buoys on your starboard side.

Are you in doubt?
The books containing the rules and a CD, Safe boating is done together, are located in the cabinet, or you can call us for advice if necessary.

We wish you safe boating and lots of fun.
Aquaship