European Inland Waterways Section Seminar

We have again a diverse programme both for new members and for members with experience in cruising on inland waterways. We’ll start with an introduction into cruising on the Inland Waters, new regulations, and available sources of information for cruise planning. We’ll discuss the current and upcoming immigration rules that may affect cruising in Europe both on the continent and for visitors to the UK. We’ll hear about the experience of cruising in Germany from a couple of members. And we do an in-depth review of the inland cruising opportunities in 2025 on French inland waterways. There are also two technical subjects: the fitting of an air conditioning in your own boat: how easy is it? We also have a talk on HVO - a sustainable alternative to regular diesel that is more and more replacing diesel in the Netherlands and will likely be available also in other continental countries: what is it and can you use it in your engines? Apart from plenary talks, we also have “surgeries” where you can ask detailed questions of our specialists and discuss various subject with other members and exchange experiences.

The event is open to non-members.

Date: Saturday 1 March 2025

Time: Registration from 10:00, seminar 10:30 - 17:30

Place: CA House

Booking: Book online here

Tickets: Tea, coffee & biscuits and a buffet lunch are included in the price.
CA members: Early booking (before 6 February) £24 per person or £40 for couples, after 6 February £28 per person or £50 for couples
Non-members: £30 per person or £56 for couples

Programme: Details of the programme are below. There will be time after each presentation for discussion and questions. Questions can also be submitted at lunchtime and will be answered in the final session of the afternoon.

10:00 - 10:30 Registration, tea, coffee & biscuits

10:30 - 10:35 Welcome, Julian Dussek, Secretary of the EIWS

10:35 - 11:20 Preparing for cruising in European Inland waters – introduction to cruising regulations and sources of information – Machiel Lambooij

11:20 - 12:05 Germany: a little-known cruising area – Alex and Robert Davis

12:05 - 12:50 Navigating to Europe - you now need more than just a chart! – Judy Evans

12:50 - 13:50 Buffet lunch

13:50 - 14:10 Surgeries (round table discussions):
- Regulatory issues when cruising the inland waterways - Machiel Lambooij
- Cruising through Germany - Alex and Robert Davis
- Border formalities and visa opportunities - Judy Evans
- Cruising on the continent: general information and cruising guides - Gordon Knight

14:10 - 14:15 Changing tables

14:15 - 14:35 Surgeries: second round

14:35 - 15:10 Fit air conditioning? – Andy Mulholland

15:10 - 15:45 HVO – the sustainable alternative to regular diesel – Remko Sinck

15:45 - 16:05 Tea, coffee & biscuits

16:05 - 16:40 The future of inland cruising in France in 2025 - David Edwards-May

16:40 - 17:00 Q&A final session

17:00 Closing remarks - Julian Dussek