Sailing on the river is no problem at all, even if you are less experienced. Just make sure to follow the navigation rules. Below, we briefly explain some of these rules to you. 

Please read these rules carefully and respect them, then you can experience: I sail safely.

1. Sailing on flowing water, such as the Lek, the IJssel, Nieuwe Merwede, the Noord, etc., requires a different level of attention if you are used to sailing on still or slow-moving water. On these rivers, there is ebb, flood, current, and the water can swirl where currents meet. Your vessel can therefore be moved by the current without you noticing.
2. You will encounter groynes on the river. Make sure to keep sufficient distance because a strong suction can occur around the groyne, which can 'pull' the vessel towards it.
3. The river meanders (winds). Inland vessels sailing up the river may decide to sail on the 'wrong side'. You can recognize this because the inland vessel will display the 'blue board'. You can see the blue board with a flashing white light next to the wheelhouse of the inland vessel. When the blue board is displayed, you are required to cross to the other side and give the inland vessel space to sail on the wrong side.
4. You will encounter large inland vessels or they may overtake you. Keep in mind that an inland vessel can travel at 20 km per hour, while you are sailing at about 9 km per hour.
5. An inland vessel at speed already has a stopping distance of about 500 meters. Estimate the distance carefully and then cross the river at a right angle.
6. The skipper of an inland vessel with two layers of containers has a 'blind spot' of 300 meters from the wheelhouse when looking over the ship. Make sure you are always beside and not in front of an inland vessel. The skipper cannot possibly 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 make a 6 km difference in speed. So if you cross a junction downstream and then enter a waterway where you are against the current, this results in a significant speed difference. It is precisely at these points that misjudgments can occur.
8. The main rule on the river is that pleasure craft sail along the banks and give space to commercial vessels, which sail more in the middle of the river. If the river police observe that you are sailing too much in the middle of the river, you will inevitably receive a fine for dangerous sailing behavior.
9. Ferries have right of way over pleasure craft, even though they cross the main waterway. You should assume that the ferry skipper will not wait for you and will simply cross, even if you are close to the ferry. In that case, your only option is to reverse at full power to avoid a collision.
10. In principle, you sail with the bank on your starboard side (right side of the vessel). You can also recognize this as follows: if you are sailing upstream (towards the source of the river), you have the GREEN buoys on your starboard side. If you are sailing downstream, you have the RED buoys on your starboard side.

Are you in doubt?
In the cupboard you will find the books with rules and a CD, safe boating is something you do together, or you can call for advice if necessary.

We wish you a safe and enjoyable trip.
Aquaship