Up the creek

[summerwind]

Thinking about next year's summer trip I thought it might be nice to take a run up the Seine. Problem is that I can't find much information re:stopping places etc. Questions that occur to me are:

1. How far up can I get without dropping the mast?
2. What pilots/guides/charts are available?
3. Would I need one of those tickety things to proove that I can handle my boat?
4. Is the reason that I can't find much about it is that there's nowhere to go or that its a PIA to do?

Any help or guidance greatly appreciated.

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[Magic_Sailor]

Summerwind

I believe you'll find that Rouen is your last opportunity to unstep the mast - although I recollect bad things about the service.

I have an inland waterways pilot - the name escapes me. I'm going to the boat soon and I'll get back to you. The Shell Channel Pilot and Reeds Alamanac both recommend caution when entering the Seine due to shifting shoals. I went to Honfleur and it did not present a problem being very well buoyed - so provided your confident in your nav and pilotage I don't see a problem.

You definitely will need a CEVNI tickety thing as well as all the other paperwork. The authorities were very hot on this this year and I heard horror stories of on the spot 800 Euro fines for failing to have CEVNI and SSR.

CEVNI is frighteningly easy to get.

Hope this is helpful.

Magic

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[Neil_M]

Haven't been up there yet, but there are useful details in Neville Featherstone's YM N France & Belgium pilot. Looks like demasting required beyond Rouen. ICC Inland/CEVNI needed & Euroregs book advisable.

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[tony_brighton]

Where can you get CEVNI?

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[Magic_Sailor]

Tony

Most sailing schools offer this facility. You'll need to get a booklet on the rules from the RYA - I can't remember the name but they'll know straight away.

The book is one of the worst I've ever read; being a confusing amalgamation of rules from across Europe. However, with a bit of perseverance you can bone up on the subject matter and then attend at the sailing school to fill in a 14 question paper. The questions are mulitiple choice and easy. I did mine with Southern Sailing who have always been very helpful.

Remember also, that it is the law that you must keep a copy of the booklet easily to hand on board your vessel at all times!

Best of luck

Magic

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[peterb]

Careful. There are two relevant RYA booklets. One, "The RYA Book of the International Certificate of Competence", gives you virtually everything you need to get the ICC (including Colregs, navigation, safety, pilotage and details of the practical test) including partial but not complete coverage of CEVNI. The other, "The RYA Book of EuroRegs for Inland Waters" concentrates only on CEVNI, is more awkward to read but gives much more complete coverage. Make sure you get the one you need.

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[AuntyRinum]

Talk to the Cruising Association. They have all the info you need.

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[LadyInBed]

Re: dropping the mast

You can get as far as the Commercial Dock at Rouen with your mast up.
You can get it dropped there - most expensive, Le Havre or Honfleur - cheapest (recent info).
It's 125 km (about 63 nm) to Vittards Pontoon at Rouen. Vittards chandlery has a good selection of books, and the VNF office is just up the road, where you buy your canal licence.
Make sure you start your trip up the Seine on a day when the flood starts at about first light as you need all the day to get to Rouen. You are nor allowed to travel after dark, and there are hardly any/NO safe places to stop (anchor) over night.

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