European rules for inland waterways
CEVNI (Code Européen des Voies de la Navigation Intérieure) is the European code for navigation on inland waterways, drawn up by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Many European countries base their national inland rules on it, for example on rivers and canals in France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. National and local rules often add to it or differ in detail, so always check the regulations of the waterway you use.
CEVNI does not apply on UK canals and rivers, which have their own byelaws. You need it if you want to boat on inland waterways in mainland Europe.
| Signs | Prohibitory signs (red border, often with a red diagonal), mandatory signs (red border), restriction signs, recommendation signs and information signs (blue or green), plus the yellow marks that show the recommended passage under bridges |
| Lights | Lights of motorised vessels, small craft, sailing craft, ferries and vessels at anchor; the blue sign or flashing white light for passing starboard to starboard |
| Sound signals | One long blast: attention; one short: altering to starboard; two short: altering to port; three short: going astern; four short: unable to manoeuvre; a series of very short blasts: danger of collision |
| Rules of the road | Small craft keep clear of all other vessels; among small craft, motorised craft give way to all others and rowing and paddle craft give way to sailing craft |
| Locks and bridges | Red and green light signals, waiting areas, rules for entering and leaving locks |
| Buoyage | The inland system: marks for the right and left side of the fairway, with right and left defined as seen by someone facing downstream |