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Code Européen des Voies de la Navigation Intérieure. This is the European inland waterways equivalent of Colregs, with many additions to symbols, lights and rules.  The CEVNI Test  certificate is needed together with an Inland ICC for navigation inland in most of continental Europe.  The CEVNI assessment involves a short exam - 14 multiple choice questions, with a minimum score of 11 to pass. Contact me for details of CEVNI Assessment and to book a test (£20.00). 

ON LINE CEVNI PRACTICE EXAM - TEST YOURSELF   With notes on the more unusual rules and signs you need to know.

CEVNI Guide - All the Signs, Symbols and Lights - click here

The best book  - RYA European Waterways Regulations: The CEVNI Rules Explained  - Tam Murrell

The full text of the CEVNI Regulations, with all the symbols and signals
(United Nations ECE 2002, 200 pages, 4.4 Mb pdf. It is interesting that IRPCS is about 20 pages......)

See RYA information on CEVNI -  RYA Boating Abroad   and RYA CEVNI

also for the ICC - RYA Book of the International Certificate of Competence (RYA) - Bill Anderson

An ICC is often considered as the international 'boat driving licence'. It is often required by countries/operators if you wish to use your own craft abroad or to charter one.

There are the following classes of ICC

• Power - < 10m, Coastal
• Power - < 24m, Coastal
• Power - < 10m, Coastal + Inland
• Power - < 24m, Coastal + Inland
• Sail - Coastal (includes Power ICC < 10m, Coastal)

• Small craft – under 20 m in length

• Normal craft – over 20 m in length

• Small craft usually give way to normal craft

• Right bank – on the right when proceeding downstream

• Left bank –  on the left when proceeding downstream

• Waterways – Class 1 are rivers; Class 2 are canals and lakes

• Upstream vessel – is proceeding up the river to its source, or ascending in a lock.

• Downstream vessel – is proceeding away from the source of a river, or descending in a lock. 
  (Take care with these, it’s the direction of travel, not the relative position).

• ‘Give way’ and ‘stand on’ – are defined as in in IRPCS.

• Normal vessels travelling downstream have priority over vessels travelling upstream, but the vessels travelling upstream may choose which side to give way on.

• If an upstream vessel decides to leave a course to starboard, it displays a blue board by day (with a scintillating (60 flashes per second) blue light by night) on its starboard side.

• Downstream vessels acknowledge by displaying a similar board on their starboard side.

• Hydrofoils and hovercraft give way to other vessels.

• CEVNI Crossing rules are similar to IRPCS. However, a vessel on the starboard side of a marked channel shall maintain its course.

• The standard lights for motor vessels and sailing craft are similar to IRPCS, also Restricted in Ability to Manoeuvre, Not Under Command, Fishing, Diving.

RYA CEVNI tests certificate exam test Bucks Berks Oxfordshire High Wycombe

Free RYA CEVNI practice assessment exam test online. ICC CEVNI tests