Dutch waters

The inland waterway rules for Europe apply, plus the BPR.

• 10
  Ship to ship, unless a blokkanaal is set for the stretch.
• Blokkanaal
  The traffic post's channel: on the signs and the Rijkswaterstaat marifoon map.
• 67 · 73
  The Coastguard's on-scene search and rescue on the Waddenzee, IJsselmeer, Schelde and Eems-Dollard.
• 70
  DSC allowed on the Waddenzee, IJsselmeer, Eems-Dollard and Ooster- and Westerschelde, on a voluntary basis.

With a marifoon aboard, have it on and listen while you are underway (BPR article 4.05).

Marinas, bridges and locks have their own channel: on the signs and in the almanac.

Source: BPR article 4.05; RAINWAT Annex 2; Rijkswaterstaat.

Inland waterways in Europe

Rivers, canals and lakes in the countries of the Basel arrangement (RAINWAT) follow their own radio rules.

• 10
  Ship to ship, unless the authority sets another channel.
• 16
  Distress, safety and calling only where the waterway meets the sea. Not allowed in Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
• 70
  No DSC on inland waterways.
• 15 · 17
  Talk on board only.

Every radio sends your boat's ATIS code when you let go of the talk button; ATIS is required inland.

Ship to ship, port and on-board channels run at 0.5 to 1 W, switched down by the radio.

No dual watch inland. Keep to safety and navigation, except on the channels set aside for other talk.

Nautical information, lock and bridge channels are set per stretch: on the signs and in the waterway guide.

Source: RAINWAT, Regional Arrangement on the Radiocommunication Service for Inland Waterways, 2012, amended 2023.

Checked against the official sources on 25 October 2026. Channels change: the official notice wins over this page.