The main reason for introducing these measures is to increase safety at sea, which is particularly important for vessels carrying larger numbers of passengers. "We do not want to control anyone, but on these two sections with a very dense cruise operation, putting this obligation on larger ships is in place. This will prevent potential collisions and will definitely contribute to safety on the Vltava River and the Elbe. No matter what size of the recreational craft does, this obligation will not apply in any case, " said Transport Minister Dan Ťok, saying that the same obligation already applies in most European countries, including Germany, Slovakia and Austria.
These measures on the Elbe and the Vltava will affect self-propelled, non- vessels intended for the carriage of persons or goods or the management of other vessels provided that the length of such a vessel is 20 meters or more or the vessel is intended for the carriage of more than 12 passengers, self-propelled floating machines and service vessels of the State Navigation Administration, components of an integrated rescue system that are longer than 7m and have their own drive. As far as ferries are concerned, the obligation to install the mentioned facilities will apply to them if they are operated on the respective sections and are intended for the carriage of more than 12 passengers or have a length of 20 m or more.
Vessel leaders will be required to navigate these facilities, electronic navigation maps, and location and vessel position information on selected segments during navigation to ensure the safety and fluidity of sailing operations. While vessels are in port, the obligation to have Inland AIS and Inland ECDIS enabled is not valid. If a malfunction occurs during navigation on a device or software, the ship's master shall immediately notify the ship manager of the RIS. If the boatmaster makes such a notification, he shall be entitled to continue the voyage already commenced for a maximum period of 48 hours from the announcement, or to board the vessel for as long as is necessary in the port or berthing place, the location of which shall immediately notify the administrator of the RIS.
The obligation to use Inland AIS and Inland ECDIS should be enshrined in the amendment to the Inland Navigation Act, which was approved by the Government of the Czech Republic.
Source: tz, edited editorially
