Immportant instructions

To participate in the 2027 International Weser Trip…

• you should be in good health and feeling well;
• you must be able to swim and should not be afraid of having your head go underwater;
• you must be capable of paddling the scheduled daily stages (see "River Sections") regardless of the weather conditions.

Please be prepared for a less-than-luxurious experience, although we will do our utmost to ensure everyone enjoys a pleasant holiday. Despite the physically demanding daily distances, there will still be plenty of time for nature, culture, and connecting with others. To protect the environment and save on costs, we will attempt to organize carpooling among the participants in advance—we look forward to your cooperation and support in this effort.

Safety instructions:

• Wearing a life jacket is recommended and is mandatory for children and adolescents.
• Boats must be rendered unsinkable.
• All participants are responsible for themselves, but should also be capable of working in a team and willing to engage in a group excursion.

Notes for the Lower Weser (Unterweser):

• Boats and equipment must be suitable for use on large bodies of water.
• Life jackets are mandatory for everyone!

On large sections of the Weser, the Inland Waterways Regulations (*Binnenschifffahrtsstraßen-Ordnung* – BinSchStrO) apply; these primarily govern the rules of navigation to be observed on this waterway, as well as regulations regarding the sound signals and visual signs to be used. In the sections of the Elbe, Ems, and Weser rivers near their mouths, the Maritime Waterways Regulations (Seeschifffahrtsstraßen-Ordnung – SeeSchStrO) apply.

Key points in brief:

Kayaks and canoes on German inland waterways are exempt from the official requirement for registration (assignment of a boat number), but they must still be permanently marked.

1. o External marking: The boat’s name (in Latin letters at least 10 cm high) must be displayed on both sides of the bow or stern.
2. o Internal marking: The owner’s name and address must be provided. Authorities strongly recommend including a telephone number.

Right-of-way rules on waterways differ significantly from those in road traffic:

• Buoyage system: Waterways are marked with buoys—red on the left and green on the right—starting from the river mouth and moving upstream. Kayaks and canoes should always travel outside the main shipping channel or along the line of the buoys. Crossing the shipping channel is permitted only when moving from the inside of one river bend to the inside of the next. Anyone wishing to cross the shipping channel must, as a general rule, yield to other traffic!
• Hierarchy by vessel type: Commercial vessels and large craft are difficult to maneuver; they often have the right of way over small recreational boats, or otherwise require that a specific distance be maintained.

1. o Rowing boats, kayaks, and canoes are afforded a high level of protection; motorboats are required to steer clear of them.
2. o Sailing vessels generally have the right of way over motorboats.
3. o As a general rule, motorboats must give way to all other vessels.

(Source: German Canoe Association (DKV) as well as the Inland Waterways Traffic Regulations (BinSchStrO) and the Maritime Traffic Regulations (SeeSchStrO))