Use of RIS in navigation of the Rhine

Duty and responsibility to use RIS

Vessels navigating the Rhine are required to use the services specified in the Rhine Police Regulations. The CCNR and the waterway authorities additionally recommend using to the greatest extent possible the information provided by RIS and other services. The skipper retains responsibility for decisions related to navigation and to the heading of the vessel. Information provided by RIS is no substitute for the decision to be taken by the skipper.

Vessel equipment for using RIS

Vessels navigating on the Rhine are fitted with radiotelephone equipment that allows simultaneous two-channel reception of inland navigation radio (ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore). From 1 December 2014 onwards, vessels will be equipped with:

• an Inland AIS device,
• an Inland ECDIS device in information mode (or a comparable device for displaying charts) using up-to-date electronic inland navigation charts.

To make the best possible use of the services available, it is desirable that vessels should be fitted with:

• radar for displaying traffic in the immediate vicinity of the vessel,
• a PC with mobile data communication equipment (GSM) for e-mail and internet services as well as for electronic reporting,
• Inland ECDIS equipment in navigation mode (i.e. connected to the radar), in order to increase navigation safety.

Traffic centres (traffic posts)

The waterway authorities have established traffic centres (traffic posts) along the Rhine. These are the major shore stations for radiotelephone communication in inland navigation as well as the centres for Inland Vessel Traffic Services.

Notices to Skippers

The waterway authorities offer for the Rhine and other waterways on dedicates websites notices to skippers in electronic form.

CCNR regulations pertaining to River Information Services and equipment

Neither the RIS Guidelines, the standards nor the Guide Concerning Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways are of themselves legally binding. For this reason, the CCNR has made additions to its legal regulations in order to introduce services, specify mandatory equipment and to require skippers to comply with standards. Article 1.03 of the Rhine Vessel Inspection Regulations stipulates that “Craft, floating establishments, or floating objects that require an inspection certificate to be issued shall comply with the requirements of these regulations and of the ES-TRIN”. The main requirements defined in the Rhine Police Regulations and in the Rhine Vessel Inspection Regulations are listed in the table below.