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Our “river barometer” to get the current conditions of the Mayenne and Sarthe. Find the water level, current restrictions, but also the best time of the year to navigate for you ! navigation qui vous convient.
– BLACK : navigation is forbidden (reach us for more information)
– RED : drought alert
– VERT : ideal water level
– VIOLET : high water level alert
For more advices depending of the situation, go down to “advices” section below.
FOR A COUPLE ALONE OR WITH YOUNG CHILD(REN) : to do locks autonomously, it is advised to be in good physical form OR to have a sufficient crew to help out AND watch children !
The locks timetable may vary depending on the season and boat traffic. Generally speaking, the locks can be done autonomously from 9AM till 8PM. When the lock keepers are attending, they will help you from 9AM or 9h30AM till 12h30. And in the afternoon from 2PM to 6 or 7 PM.
You are looking for a specific inland water notice regarding one of these restrictions ? You can look them on the department’s website through the following links : Sarthe department or Maine-et-Loire department or Mayenne department.
The drought alert does not prevent you to navigate. It only needs a heightened attention. Carefully follow the instruction given during your training, especially regarding the more “technical” parts of the river that will be described to you. Follow with precision the navigation channel drawn on the navigation map on board.
In the event of a serious drought, some portions of the river can develop cyanobacterias (the water then takes a bright green color). It is then advised, or sometime even forbidden to swim and do activities such as kayak, paddle, etc … Moreover, it is advised to properly wash yourself anytime you get in contact with water.
Drought can also results in lock passage restriction in some areas when the water level are too low. In that case, the lock keepers will gather several boat at once : you can expect to wait a little bit at some locks. It is advised in that case to communicate with lock keepers and other crews to anticipate the locks to avoid any wait.
The high water level alert do not prevent you from navigating either. It only asks a heightened attention, mostly due to the force of current.
Carefully prepare in advance all your manoeuvers to dock or go through a lock. A maximum amount of crew members should be correctly positioned to help you protect the boat and handle the ropes quickly.
As it will be explained during your training : you should absolutely do your docking manoeuvers against the current (turn around if necessary). The safety jacket is very much advised when you are navigating through a strong current. Children supervision also needs to be reinforced.
Depending on the time of the year, it is possible that part of or all the locks needs to be done autonomously (you handle the lock by yourselves). Like said before, if you are navigating at a time of the year where locks are done autonomously, we advise to make sure that the crew is able :
Do not hesitate, in doubt, to reach us : we will know how to estimate the capability for any specific crews.
You will find here an exemple of how to get through a lock here :
You may already took the hint by reading these few lines above, there is indeed a golden advice. It will enable you to handle any situation, even the most unexpected. Something that turns a trip into a unique experience : WORK AS A TEAM.
Here are a few tips to form a true crew :
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Quai National
72300 Sablé-sur-Sarthe
+33 2 43 95 14 42
(abroad) : (+ 33) 243 95 14 42
contact@anjou-navigation.fr
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