European waterways : a user's guide / Marian Martin.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Martin, Marian, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Waterways--Europe--Guidebooks.

Waterways.

Boats and boating--Europe--Guidebooks.

Boats and boating.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 181 p. ) ill., maps

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

London, [England] : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2003.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The legal, social and technical aspects of using the European network of waterways are explained and made understandable in this essential on-board manual. The book is aimed at all users of the UK and continental Europe's network of canals and rivers.

Anyone who admits to a sense of confusion when confronted with the bewildering array of European waterway signs, symbols, rules and regulations should find this book useful. The author demystifies this world for the visitor, thereby eliminating any problems that may arise. This second edition includes chapters for Americans considering cruising the European waterways and for Med-bound sailors.

Contents:

Intro

Title page

Table of Contents

Preface

1 Why cruise inland?

Something for everyone and every boat

Getting started

That first cruise inland

Don't get into the tourist trap

Matching boat and waterway

How fit are you?

Sailing inland

Trailer boats

Avoid the rush hours

Tourist information

A good starting point

Hire before you buy

UK canals

Classification of UK canals

2 Buying an inland waterway boat

Design and construction are paramount

Size

The UK system dictates your choice

Engines

Hull strength and shape

Handling

Layout considerations

Other features to consider

Try before you buy

Dutch brokers

Boat Safety Scheme

3 Getting the boat ready

Essential equipment

Permanent fixtures

Wiring tip

Pre-cruise checks

4 Things to know, before you go

Do I need a Certificate of Competence?

Do countries charge for use of the inland waterways?

I've heard I need a Schengen visa. What does this mean?

Are inland waterways open all year round?

Can I cruise at any time of the day and night?

What insurance cover do I need for the boat?

What documents should I have on board?

Are there any rules about the equipment I must have on the boat?

Do I need a radio on board?

Can I use radar on inland waterways?

What do I need to use for sound signals?

Will my electricity and gas fittings be OK abroad?

Where do I dispose of waste water and sewage?

How do I dispose of rubbish if I'm not staying in a marina?

Will I be able to get spare parts if I need them?

What maps, books etc should I have?

What if we need a doctor?

Can I use my Visa or Access card to get foreign currency, pay marina bills, buy food, get fuel for the boat, pay in restaurants etc?

Will I have problems if I can't speak the language?.

Are there any rules about fishing in certain areas?

How much can I expect too pay for food and drink?

What sort of clothing should I take with me?

Will I need heating on my boat?

5 US visitors to the European waterways

Will I have to pay import duty or VAT?

How is my yacht placed under 'temporary importation'?

How long can my yacht stay in the ECCT without duty and VAT being paid?

What US competence certificate will be valid in Europe?

What's different in Europe?

6 European waterway rules (CEVNI)

A bit of history

Continental waterway classifications

Strange terminology

CEVNI signs and signals

Berthing restrictions

Trailing anchors

Prescribed courses

Traffic lights

Sound signals

Signs and symbols displayed by other vessels

Dangerous cargoes

Passing other vessels

Safety first

7 Cruising small canals and rivers

Meeting other boats

Overtaking

Being overtaken

Avoiding the bottom

Leaving a mooring

Turning

Moving bridges

Tunnels

Speed limits

Warning and distress signals

8 Buoys, landmarks and waterway rules

Upstream, downstream

Buoys

Landmarks and other channel markings

Crossing the path of other vessels

Rules of the Road

9 Lock technology

Inclined planes

Boat lifts

Circular locks

Weirs

Commercial tunnels

10 Small lock techniques

Sluice types

Operating small locks

DIY locks

Staircase locks

Who enters a lock first?

Passage through a lock

Inside a lock

Mechanised locks

Leaving the lock

11 Commercial lock techniques

Modern gate sluices

Basic lock rules

Summary of the lock rules

Approaching a big lock

Mooring before the lock

Changing levels

Forget about long lines

Leap frogging

Leaving a commercial lock

Spotting the pleasure boat lock

12 Canal and river traffic.

Ferries

Dredgers

Fishing and dive boats

Towing vessels

Water ski-ing

Bankside fishermen

Official boats

Avoiding commercial traffic

Meeting the locals

13 Great rivers

Blue boarding

Unofficial signals

Passenger boats and tugs

Harbours and tributaries

Exceptions to the normal right-of-way rules

Navigating in company

Danger zones

Read the rules!

Tidal waters

Flooding

Reduced visibility

Over to you

14 Getting your boat to Europe and five of its popular ports

Taking a trailer boat

Taking a river boat to sea

Calais

Gravelines

Dunkerque

Nieuwpoort

Oostende

15 Just going to the Med

Planning your route

Appendices

Appendix A: CEVNI/RPNR

Appendix B: Useful addresses

eCopyright.

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-4729-0155-X

1-4729-0154-1

OCLC:

855969664