These are the most important rules for almost all Dutch inland waterways according to the INLAND WATER POLICE REGULATIONS; (BPR)
NOTE:
- If you have priority, you must maintain course and speed to avoid confusion.
- The order of these rules is very important. A sailing ship that is not sailing to starboard must therefore yield to a motor ship that is sailing to starboard.
- A sailing ship that simultaneously uses the engine as propulsion is considered a motor ship.
- A large ship is a ship longer than 20m (or a passenger ship, a fishing vessel in operation, a tugboat or a ferry).
WHERE IS THE BPR VALID?
The BPR applies to the dark blue coloured waters: all waters except the Rhine, the Western Scheldt, the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal and the Eems-Dollard.
THE DIFFERENT COURSES ACCORDING TO THE BPR
The BPR distinguishes between opposite, crossing and ascending courses. The difference between a crossing and an ascending course is sometimes difficult to see during the day. This is easier at night; if you see the stern light, you are an ascender, if you see a starboard or port light, you are crossing.
A ship prefers to pass another ship on the port side of the other ship. A sailing ship prefers to do this to windward of the other ship. It then takes the wind out of the sails and so passing is faster and therefore safer.
These rules apply to a narrowing in a waterway where passing each other is not possible, for example at a bridge. If it has not been determined according to the BPR who has priority, the rule is whoever is first at the narrowing has priority. If there is no good view of any oncoming traffic, a long blast must be given with the ship's horn.