When you take possession of your river boat, the staff at the departure base should introduce you to the boat and its equipment, but also give you all the information about the waterway and make sure that you are able to navigate safely. It is up to you to pay as much attention as possible to the equipment presented to you.
Make yourself available
Even if you are used to this type of navigation and you have a thousand things to manage between the fatigue of the road and the provisioning, it is crucial to be receptive to the instructions and explanations that the staff of the rental company will not fail to give you. Plan ahead so that at least the person in charge of the boat is available. This is not the time to run to the supermarket or the train station to get some of the crewâ?¦
The waterway map
The first question you will be asked is the route you plan to take. With your guide card in hand, your instructor will point out the tricky passages, the possible temporary restrictions, but also the local peculiarities, winds, currents or shoals and the sites not to be missed. That's a lot of information. Don't hesitate to take short notes to forget as little as possible.
Basic questions
Comfort systems vary from boat to boat, and their operation is sometimes obscure to the uninitiated. Again, be careful to avoid calling that evening with a question like, "There's no water!" - "Did you press the pump button?", or "The gas doesn't come on" âeuros "Did you hold the button down long enough for the thermocouple to come on?"
In safety
The presentation of safety equipment and its location is mandatory. Be sure to locate the fire extinguishers, but also the life jackets. If there are children on the crew, ask for life jackets in their size and explain the rules and when it will be mandatory to wear them.
On the bridge too
Take the opportunity to check all the equipment that will be presented to you: mooring lines, gaffs, hammer and mooring stakes, but also the gangway or the deck furniture. Have the water, fuel or black water nodes confirmed in case they are not well spotted. Open any shade equipment, umbrellas or bimini's that may have met a deck without the previous renter reporting it.
At the helm
The technician will then accompany you for a test run. This is another valuable opportunity to make sure that everything is working properly on board and that the controls are responding well. You will be given a few maneuvers to perform, including at least one turn and one docking. If you feel unsure of yourself, be sure to mention it and ask for additional instruction. This is all the more important since, at the end of the training, you will be asked to sign a document attesting that you have received all the necessary information.
Cranking
Whenever possible, you will be accompanied to the first lock where you will be introduced to the local particularities of their operation. We will make sure that you master this maneuver before wishing you a good cruise.
It is important to note that you can tell the instructor about your sailing experience, which he will be able to perceive during the test. On the other hand, rental companies are very wary of those who claim to have a boating license and do not listen to the explanations. In river navigation as elsewhere, humility is a virtue!
