PLEASURE BOATING ON FLEMISH WATERWAYS SAFETY ON THE WATER HIGH-SPEED ZONES OPERATING TIMES VISURIS WWW.VLAAMSEWATERWEG.BE ENGLISH TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents ...................................................................................p. 2 Map of marinas/moorings and locks .............................................................p. 16 Introduction: .............................................................................................p. 4 Map for canoes, kayaks and SUPs (Stand Up Paddle Boards) ......p. 18 Smart Shipping .........................................................................................p. 5 Map of high-speed zones .......................................................................................p. 19 Regulations ................................................................................................. p. 6 Map of mast-up routes ...........................................................................................p. 20 Timetable for Sunday and public holiday operation ...p. 8 High-speed sections ..................................................................................................p. 22 In the spotlight ........................................................................................p. 9 Operating times ...........................................................................................................p. 24 Safety on the water Managers contact details ......................................................................................p. 50 - Sailing together .....................................................................................p. 10 Useful addresses ...........................................................................................................p. 52 - Hazardous goods ..................................................................................p. 11 - Life jacket ..................................................................................................p. 12 Removable inner flap - Emergencies .............................................................................................p. 13 - Sailing speeds Q&A ..................................................................................................................p. 14 2 Pleasure Boating on the Flemish waterways 3 DEAR PLEASURE CRAFT SKIPPER, Flanders has more than 1,000 km of navigable waterways. In our position as waterway manager, we are fully committed to multifunctional use of this asset. At De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, we want to significantly increase the share of transport via inland waterways and to manage flooding and water shortages better. We also want to take full advantage of the versatility of our waterways and increase their attractiveness for urban and municipal developments, recreation, tourism and natural experiences. In this brochure, we will pay specific attention to pleasure past picturesque villages, unspoilt countryside, castles, medieval craft. During recent years, both strengthened natural and town centres, nature reserves and top tourist attractions. All landscape values and improved infrastructure have ensured accessible at the incomparably relaxing pace of being on a that the Flemish waterways have become ideal for all facets waterway. of recreational activities on and around the water. We are experiencing continuing interest in the wide range of recreational This brochure is full of information about the possibilities for opportunities that the waterways have to offer. That is hardly recreational use of the navigable waterways under the authority surprising, when one considers how wonderful it is to spend of De Vlaamse Waterweg nv. In addition to information about time on the water! VisuRIS, you will also find the operating times for locks and movable bridges, as well as overview maps. And we give you There are so many recreational activities, canoeing, water tips on where to find more information on each point. That data skiing, cruising and much more. And you do not have to own will help you enjoy your voyage on the waterways, safely and a vessel; you can also rent one or enjoy a trip on one of the without hindrance. many passenger vessels. The winding waterways will take you All the information in this brochure and the current operating times are also available at www.VisuRIS.be. If you have any questions or comments about a particular waterway, please do not hesitate to contact us. We wish you lots of pleasure on our Flemish waters! De Vlaamse Waterweg nv manages and operates the region's waterways as a vibrant network, contributing to the economy, prosperity and quality of living in Flanders. De Vlaamse Waterweg nv supports transport via inland shipping, handles water management and improves the attractiveness of the waterways for recreation, tourism and natural experiences. From the registered office in Hasselt and departments in Willebroek, Brussels, Antwerp, Merelbeke and Mol, approximately 1,350 employees in our organization are working on a smart, versatile and prosperous waterway network. For more information, go to www.vlaamsewaterweg.be or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 4 Pleasure Boating on the Flemish waterways SMART SHIPPING IS COMING FULL STEAM AHEAD Automated sailing is the future of inland navigation. And that is why, in 2018, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, working with Seafar, already took the first steps towards making this possible. This was no easy task within the current legal framework, but the Flemish start-up that is developing this technology has taken it on courageously. Thanks to their innovation and expertise from De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, the project finally gained real momentum in autumn 2019. For example, we were the first European waterway management organization to create an official framework for smart shipping. And nowadays, you might already come across an unmanned vessel on our inland waterways. Innovation in the field of automation and digitization is who encounter an automated vessel do not have to do anything essential to help the inland shipping sector move forward. out of the ordinary. They must simply keep their distance This philosophy has allowed Smart Shipping to finally become a and maintain their course, just as they would with any other reality. This project is one of the three pillars within RIS ('River passing ship. An automated vessel that is on test is identified Information Services'), which is the synchromodal link of inland by a purple cone with the point downwards. But perhaps you shipping. In addition to smart vessels, we are working on smart might still have your doubts when you spot the Willebroek? infrastructure and smart communication. And that work is now If so, you can contact the skipper in the control room using bearing fruit. The first unmanned push barge has been sailing on your ship’s radio (VHF channel 10). To sum up, there are many the Flemish waterways since 12 November 2019. In-service test safety measures in place to ensure that the test period runs locations are operating on the following waterways: the IJzer smoothly and can seamlessly merge into an official introduction and the Plassendale-Nieuwpoort canal. A remotely controlled of smart shipping in our logistics network. That is why we are push barge will be transporting sand from Ostend to Diksmuide confident that smart shipping will make inland shipping more for a year. The vessel, the Willebroek, is equipped with the latest attractive. This applies as much to a new generation of skippers technological gadgets. Belgium therefore plays a true pioneering as it does to entrepreneurs who want to use inland shipping as role in the field of automated inland shipping. A crew remains on a transport partner! board during the preliminary tests. Safety comes first. Skippers WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE? You will find all the necessary information on the web page www.vlaamsewaterweg.be/smart-shipping. 5 WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR SAILING IN FLANDERS? INLAND NAVIGATION REGULATIONS IN BELGIUM In 2014, a sixth state reform took place in Belgium. In the case of pleasure craft use, the change introduced regionalisation of the general shipping regulations. The Belgian regions, including Flanders, are responsible for that nowadays. Nevertheless, the federal government also retained an important authority regarding pleasure craft use. It remains responsible for the technical requirements and registration of vessels, as well as for boating licences. SHIPPING REGULATIONS GENERAL REGULATIONS The general regulations applicable to the vast majority of waterways: General Police Regulations for Shipping on Inland Waterways ('Algemeen Politiereglement voor de Scheepvaart op de Binnenwate- ren' – APSB) General Regulations for Shipping channels in the Kingdom ('Algemeen reglement der scheepvaartwegen van het koninkrijk' – ARSK) These general regulations are based on CEVNI 4 (The European Code for Inland Navigation Channels). The regulations are therefore in accordance with those of neighbouring countries. Note – exceptions are possible. SPECIFIC REGULATIONS Separate regulations apply to a number of waterways: 2 4 ZEEBRUGGE 3 Kanaal Kl. Gent-Oostende 1 Brugge-Sluis OOSTENDE NIEUWPOORT Afleidingskl. Leie MOL Durme Kl. Nieuwpoort- Duinkerke Lokanaal Bergenvaart Kl. Ieper-IJzer Leie 6 Toeristische MERELBEKE 5 LEUVEN Kanaal naar Charleroi WATERWAY REGULATIONS 1 Open sea and the waters that are connected to it International provisions to prevent collisions at sea Police and shipping regulations for Belgian territorial waters,