Burgundy Canal
Boats & barges
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Canalside
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The rules are very simple.
You must have all the necessary papers, licences and documents on board the vessel. The navigation police can ask for them at any time and they should be presented.
Speed limit is 6 kilometres and hour (walking pace), on the total length of the canal. This is not only for safety, but to help preserve the canal banks. RESPECT THIS SPEED LIMIT. The canal will last longer if boats do not wash the banks away.
No passing through locks without the presence of a lock keeper, except for the automatic locks, and special sections.
No locking through outside of the navigation hours, although you may cruise between locks at all hours.
Your vessel must be mechanically powered to pass through a lock. Horse drawn and man powered craft are no longer allowed to pass through the locks.
No mooring under bridges, in locks or on to any other construction.
No mooring ropes on trees. There have been accidents caused by vessels using ropes that hang across the tow path and are difficult to be seen by cyclist.
No motor powered sports are allowed
No use of anchors (there is no reason to do so).
Tips and advice
Help preserve the canal by making as little wake as possible. If you want to cruise as fast as possible take another route, the canal was made for you to cruise slowly !
Do not do slack rope your moorings, (there is no tide on the canal :). By using tight rope mooring, you allow barge traffic to continue. As illustrated in the photo below. The barge in the centre of the canal can still enter the lock, as the craft on the right uses tight rope mooring, the stern and bow are not pulled out into the middle of the canal by the water movement caused by the cruising barge.
Slow down whilst passing other boats and barges.
Slow down whilst passing other boats and barges which are moored. It is easy to break their gang planks or ripe out moorings. Even better, pass the other boats with your motor in idle.
Do not try to overtake larger barges, unless they give way to you.
The canal authourities have made much effort to install bollards along the canal, please try and use them instead of you own stakes.
The canal is not too deep (2 metres), but it is still wise to fit youngsters and non swimmers with life jackets.
Questions and answers for selfdrive boat rentals
1. Do I need a license to operate the boat? No license is required.
2. Do I need previous boating experience? No. Most of clients are first-timers, and you'll find that the boats are remarkably easy to handle.
3. What about a place for docking the boat? You can stop virtually anywhere you like. There are places to tie up in nearly every village and town, usually for free. Only the marinas in some of the bigger cities charge for overnight dockage.
4. How easy is it to pass through the locks? Very easy but you should always remain alert and watch waht is going on. Use the mooring ropes and bollards, follow any orders the lock keeper gives you.
5. How fast does the boat go? As fast as the speed limit allows On the canal it is 6 kmh
6. What happens if I have a technical problem? You will have a special telephone number to call for assistance.