Navigation disclaimer

Last updated 2026-10-08

Information only, not for navigation

Navigation Atlas brings together information that navigation authorities and open-data publishers have published about inland waterways: depths, lock chambers, bridge clearances, ports, water levels and boating facilities. Each figure is shown with its source and the date we read it.

It is not a nautical chart, an electronic navigational chart (ENC or Inland ENC), a Notices to Skippers service, or a substitute for any of them. It does not say whether a waterway, a lock or a bridge can be passed by your boat.

Before and during every trip:

• use the charts and publications issued by the navigation authority for the waterway;
• read the current Notices to Skippers (avis à la batellerie) and stoppage notices of that authority;
• obey signs, signals, lock and bridge staff, and the instructions of the authorities;
• keep your own margin under the keel and above your highest point.

The skipper is responsible for the navigation of the boat at all times.

Why figures can differ from the water

• Water levels change. A published depth or clearance applies at the reference level its source states, for example the normal navigation level or the highest navigable water. In floods, droughts, wind or tides the real value can be much lower.
• Sources change. We copy figures from the sources named beside them, on the date shown. Authorities update their data; works, silting, closures and incidents happen daily; our copy may be out of date or matched to the wrong place.
• An authorised maximum is a rule, not a measurement. The largest boat the rules allow on a waterway says nothing about the water on a given day.
• Gaps. Where a source publishes no figure, we show none. A missing figure never means there is no restriction.
• Live readings (water level gauges) are fetched from the publisher when you open them and are shown with the time of the reading. Gauges can be offline or report provisional values.

Emergencies

Navigation Atlas is not an emergency service and does not monitor messages. In an emergency call 112 (Europe). At sea or in an estuary, call the coastguard on VHF channel 16, or 196 in France for the CROSS sea rescue centres. On inland waterways, call 112 and give the waterway, the kilometre point or the nearest lock. Rescue stations on the map are locations from OpenStreetMap; we hold no information about whether they are staffed.

Responsibility

We take care to copy information accurately and to show where it comes from, but we do not promise that it is accurate, complete or current. To the extent the law allows, we are not responsible for loss or damage caused by relying on this site instead of the publications of the competent authority. Nothing in this disclaimer limits liability that cannot be limited by law, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or your rights as a consumer under the law of your country (for example the Australian Consumer Law, the UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 or the French Code de la consommation). This disclaimer forms part of our terms of use.

Found an error? Write to support@ultratask.com.au and include the source, so we can correct it in the next build.

En français

Information seulement : ne pas utiliser pour la navigation. Les informations peuvent être incomplètes ou périmées. Respectez les cartes et publications du gestionnaire de la voie d'eau, la signalisation, les avis à la batellerie et les consignes des éclusiers. Urgence : 112 ; en mer : VHF 16 ou 196 (CROSS).