ATIS in French canals

J

jimali

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We are hoping to travel down the French canals starting in June. I thought we had sorted everything out, ICC etc, but now a new fly in the ointment ATIS. Given the time scale will I find it really necessary. Has anyone been pulled up for not having it yet.

Thanks in anticipation - Jim
 
Thanks for the replies - I have applied for my ATIS number - unfortunately my current DSC radio does not seem capable of programming with an ATIS code and I will have to buy another just for the trip.

Regards Jim
 
My understanding from various statements gleaned from a lot of googling around is that if you want to use a VHF set in the Rainwat area than it must be ATIS enabled. If you do NOT use VHF or simply do not have one, then there is no requirement to have a non-existant set enabled.

There is one semi-official statement on the web (dont have the link) that states that ATIS is intended to stop abuse of VHF with constant chat and is not meant to harrass tourists.

As Grehan says don't quote me.

I hope to transit from Baltic to Med this year with no VHF installed.
 
Oh yes! Forgot to mention that a having no VHF may cause delays because there will be no way to contact some bridge or lock keepers that may not be based "on site".
 
I am pretty sure that if you do not USE a non DSC/ATIS VHF in Rainwat you will be OK because how would they know? If you do use that VHF you are breaking the rules and advertising non-compliance.

Good idea from saskia to use a cell phone.
 
90% of locks either do not require a VHF call-up or the concept would be ridiculous (small ecluses in the middle of nowhere). Those that do, where VHF might be necessary or just plain useful, are basically those on the Rhone, possibly the Seine Aval. Even with those you'll (probably) be spotted before or at the waiting pontoon, or be with, or end up with, a bunch of other people going into the lock. The VHF is useful in the right circumstances, and to say 'merci et bonne journee' to the eclusier high up in his tower. But don't let's get hung up (yet) - there are hundreds (thousands?) of boats (hire boats for example . . ) that neither have, nor use, nor know how to use, VHF. On the inland waterways. If you have a Navicarte or Guide Breil (much more important than VHF IMHO), the phone numbers for each (Rhone etc.) lock are printed there, although not always accurately. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I wonder what Pud thinks.
 
Hi

I thought I would give an update and thank everyone for their comments. We have passed through the first 2 large locks on the Seine just using our trusty non ATIS handheld - no problem - apart from sharing the lock - just - with the hotel barge Bizet!!. We were also only asked for our boat dimensions and destination - overall a very smooth process (I exclude the lock sides from that comment).

For information when we moored at Les Andelys in the same location as mentioned in the recent PBO article, we were visited by the municipal police and very politely told to leave or get a parking ticket! as it was only for the hotel boats. The small harbour is still silted and Bizet was filling up the only other viable location.

We found two other halts not mentioned in the Navicarte, Oisell and highly recommended two new pontoons at Le Mesnil de Poses to starboard just after the Amfreville lock.

Sitting in drizzle in Vernon waiting to shop and go the the Monet garden tomorrow.

Regards Jim

PS we now have a blog http://katlenstravels.blogspot.com
which is being slowly updated as and when we can get a conection
 
VHF very useful today on the Rhone. Two lock-keepers were able to tell us to wait . . . 1.5hrs each lock! Some big stuff going through both directions, and plaisanciers have to wait their turn. Actually, beautiful locations, no hardship, took the dog for a walk/swim/etc etc. Now in Viviers.
 
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