ATIS again

[JackFrobisher]

Having just read about ATIS in Sailing Today and done some searching here and elsewhere, I still don't have an answer to the question - what constitutes an inland waterway for the purposes of ATIS regulations? I imagine that it might relate to locks and fresh water but since my particular interest is France, where I have been fined for (unwitting) infringement of regulations I'd welcome some guidance.

Going up the Seine for example, one does not meet a lock until Rouen, but I guess that it becomes "inland" somewhat before then. What about the Gulf of Morbihan, which I have read described as an inland sea? Help please.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Good question. It has been asked repeatedly on these forums because nobody can give a definite answer.

I always reckon that once "inland" on a river past tidal influence you are inland. This means anywhere beyond the first lock CEVNI rules and ICC is mandatory. That logically includes locked in harbours.

However, some folk interpret the rules as whether VNF control the water which personally I don't think is logical because VNF is French and the "inland" waters also belong to Germany Belguim, holland, Luxembourg, Poland, Croatia and possibly Russia which would surprise them if they thought French VNF controlled the issues.

The whole thing is now tied up with Rainwat and is now totally at the mercy of official interpretation because it seems that there is no laid down understandable rules of what goes and what doesn't.

I am just waiting for the first major accident on disputed territory when the insurance companies and their lawyers will have a feast

Typical of the EU pen pushers in my opinion.