What should the boatmasters do if the Inland AIS device is defective?

When in use the Inland AIS device must operate reliably and be in good working order.

A defective Inland AIS device will cause misjudgements between boatmasters and unsafe situations on the waterways.

This is why defective Inland AIS device must be repaired immediately or replaced by devices in good working order. No voyage may be started without an Inland AIS device in good working order and switched on.

In case of malfunction, switching off and restarting (reboot) the Inland AIS device could help recover the good working order.

A default can occur on an Inland AIS device. In this case, the CCNR recommends that the riparian states of the Rhine apply the following flexibility rules:

• Navigation may be continued for a maximum period of 48 hours with an Inland AIS device not transmitting data, enabling vessels to reach the next port of loading or unloading or, failing that, if this port is too far away, a place where the defective device can be repaired or replaced. The continuation of the voyage with a defective Inland AIS device is under the full responsibility of the boatmaster

• No voyage may be started without an Inland AIS device in good working order and operating

• Given the special nature of voyages undertaken by ferries and day-trip vessels, the two preceding paragraphs do not apply to these two types of vessel. For a ferry, navigation may be continued for a maximum period of 24 hours with an Inland AIS device not transmitting data. For a daytrip vessel, navigation may be continued for a maximum period of 48 hours with an Inland AIS device not transmitting data

• If the Inland AIS device is no longer transmitting data, the vessel’s boatmaster will immediately notify by radio the sector traffic centre and will provide regular reports on the ship-to-ship VHF channel until the Inland AIS device is working again

If the Inland AIS device is defective it has to be repaired by an approved specialised firm (installation firm).