Breaking the rules on the water can be expensive. Which administrative offences are sanctioned and how is explained in the Catalogue of fines and warnings for inland waterways and maritime waterways (BVKatBin-See) catalogue. The substructure of the catalogue is just as long as the title, with a large number of different "infringements".
Fines in inland navigation
For a better overview, let's start with the fines for inland navigation. The range of offences covered here extends from the obvious, such as violating the 0.5 per mille limit, which can cost up to 2,500 euros, to violating the "prescribed order" when locking locks (fines of up to 125 euros), to more unusual offences such as "dragging the empty tow rope when water skiing", which carries a warning fine of 35 euros. Here are ten examples. The euro amounts given can include both warnings and fines.
10 examples of fines in inland navigation
- Driving a small vehicle without or without a valid licence plate: 75 to 200 Euro
- Water skiing outside authorised routes or water areas: 55 to 150 Euro
- Violation of the ban on driving in a nature reserve: 55 to 350 Euro
- Travelling on an inland waterway without a driving licence: 250 to 5,000 euros
- Driving a vehicle with 0.5 per mille or more alcohol: 350 to 2,500 euros
- Driving a vehicle under the influence of intoxicating substances: 350 to 2,500 euros
- Sailing at night or without permission from the authorities: 25 to 100 Euro
- Violation of the regulations when driving in unsafe weather: 55 to 300 euros.
- Disregard of an order by navigation signs: 150 to 200 Euro
- Exceeding the maximum authorised speed: the warning and fines are strongly staggered here and are based on both the authorised and the more dangerous speed. The lowest warning fine is 35 euros, the highest fine is 1,050 euros (for travelling at 80 km/h with a speed limit of 12 km/h).
Fines in maritime shipping
The fines for offences on maritime waterways are also listed in the catalogue. Although this part of the regulation is much more manageable, it is still detailed enough to cover a wide range of offences. The euro amounts behind the ten examples given can also include warnings and fines.
10 examples of fines in maritime shipping
- Driving a pleasure craft without the required driving licence: 150 to 500 Euro
- Operating a traditional vessel without the required driving licence: 150 to 500 euros.
- Not carrying a certificate of competence: 35 to 75 Euro
- Violation of basic rules of behaviour in traffic: 35 to 200 Euro
- Driving a vehicle with 0.5 per mille or more alcohol: 750 to 2,500 euros
- Do not carry the lights prescribed for small vehicles: 35 to 100 Euro
- Violation of the obligation to wait for vehicles with right of way: 35 to 250 Euro
- Prohibited stay of a vehicle in restricted military areas: 35 to 75 Euro
- Disregard of an order by navigation signs: 150 Euro
- Exceeding the speed limit: up to 3 km/h 35 to 100 euros, over 3 km/h 55 to 150 euros and over 6 km/h 175 to 500 euros, on the Kiel Canal and in the national parks of the North Sea: up to 3 km/h 35 to 100 euros, over 3 km/h 55 to 150 euros and over 6 km/h 225 to 500 euros.
On the topic
- Police checks: Several drunken boat drivers caught.
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
