Small lexicon of river navigation
The boats available for hire on our site are accessible to everyone as they do not require a licence to drive. Measuring less than 15 metres, they are easy to manoeuvre, especially as you receive training before departure, during which you learn how to navigate and pass locks. You also don't need any experience or specific knowledge to hire a boat or barge without a licence. Even if you have never been on a boat before, you can still go on a river cruise. This gives you the opportunity to discover a new way of travelling and a certain way of life. And to help you communicate with other boaters, here are some commonly used terms!
Words concerning navigation and waterways
River cruising has rules and like many other activities, it has its own vocabulary. When cruising on a boat without a licence, it is not necessary to know this lexicon by heart. Nevertheless, it is useful to consult it before setting off (even if it is not compulsory), for example to talk to lock keepers and boaters.
Among the most frequently used terms are "alternat", which refers to a narrow passage where navigation is one-way and alternate because there is not enough room for two boats to pass each other. "Beaconing" refers to the marking of obstacles or signs in the channel of a waterway. "Beating astern" means to put the boat astern to stop it. The "reach" is an area between two locks. The "navigation channel" is the navigable area to be followed to avoid danger. Tramping" is the action of passing a boat. "Tacking" means to turn back. Anchoring" refers to the depth of a river or channel. As for "sassement", it is the manoeuvre consisting in passing a boat through the lock chamber of a lock.
Terms related to your boat and the structures encountered
In the lexicon of river navigation, many words refer to structures (locks in particular) and boats (barge or boat without licence in your case). Here are some of the words you may hear. "Port" refers to the left side of a boat. The right side is called "starboard". The rear part of a boat is called the "stern" and the front part is called the "bow".
The "lock chamber" is the inner part of the lock, in which the water level is raised or lowered, a "lock" being a structure allowing boats to cross height differences. To avoid danger or to facilitate a manoeuvre, you can use a "gaff", which is a pole. The "bajoyer" is the vertical wall of a lock, which consolidates the banks of a waterway. Fenders" are balloons that protect the hull of your boat in the event of a collision and are inflated with air. And a "rope" is a rope several metres long that is used to tie up a boat.
Now that you know some of the words included in the inland navigation lexicon, you are (almost) ready to cruise! All that's left is to hire your boat or barge without a licence and choose your destination. So don't wait any longer to consult the offers available on our site!