SERVICES, Regulations and signposts
Signposts
Along the part of river where sailing is possible there are vertical signposts for bridges, the dam and the boat trip from Miravet. Pay attention to the canal which is marked with buoys: yellow and green indicate that there is enough water for sailing, red on the contrary, means there is insufficient water, and that it is dangerous to continue. Each wharf must have two buoys on each side in compliance with the AISM system (Associació Internacional de Senyalització Marítima - International Association of Maritime Signposts), the red buoys to port and the green ones starboard.
Regulations
Xerta Dam:
When a sailor finds himself close to Xerta dam he must slow down. If the lockgates are completely open, you may enter the chamber, once inside, the lock personnel will indicate the manoeuvres you need to make. If the lock gates are not completely open or are closed, vessels must wait until the lock personnel give you the instructions to move forwards.
When inside the dam make sure you stay within the limits marked on the side walls. Also, while the chamber is filling or emptying, vessels must be moored to the wall or other element in the dam, so as to stop any collisions with other boats. The use of boat fenders is important, and you must not get off the boat without good reason or unless the personnel require you to.
River margins and speed:
River margins are very senstive to erosive processes, a phenomenon which can be worsened by water swell created by boats; this could cause the disappearance of vegetation, riverside forest and agricultural land of great value. With the aim of avoiding this occurrence, you must avoid creating swell by travelling at a maximum speed of 10km/h. When there are other boats, or boats passing, then reduce speed to 6km/h.
Others:
It is obligatory to use yellow lifejackets.
For more information:
Institut per al desenvolupament de les Comarques de l’Ebre (Institute for the Development of Ebre Regions)
Av. Generalitat, 116
43500 Tortosa
Tel. (0034) 977 510 546
www.idece.cat
River navigation
River Crossing. Miravet
