GUARDIA COSTIERA AUSILIARIA REGIONE LOMBARDIA - CENTRO OPERATIVO DEL SEBINO / LAGO D'ISEO: Iseo Lake

Iseo Lake - Sailing Rules
translation by ALESSIA FIORENTINO

COMMON RULES

Navigation of all kinds of boats is not allowed within every delimited swimming areas^.

Navigation is also forbidden in all restricted/ protected areas (i.e. enviromental, natural – reeds – archaeological), as well as along routes of pubblic line boats and nearby their jetties.

Up to 50 mt from the shore, navigation is allowed at max. speed of 5 knots (9 km/h) ONLY to:

- canoes and sailboards,

- rowing boats, sailing boats and pedal boats;

- electric boats up to max. 3 HP (2,208 KW).

For all others power boats (included water-scooters), navigation is allowed, always at max. speed of 5 kts and perpendicularly to the shore, for departures/ arrivals and crossing of coastal protected strip (50 meters) only.

From 50 up to 150 meters power-driven vessels are allowed to sail at max. speed of 10 kts (18 km/h).

Further 150 meters, motor sailing is permitted at max. speed of 27 kts (50 km/h). During night-time navigation is allowed at max. speed of 10 kts. In any case, speed will not jeopardize bathers and other boats.

Whitin "special areas" named:

- Bögn di Zorzino (from Punta Croci Bergamasche to Punta Zorzino)

- Emissario (from place Ca’ Bianca to jetty Porto di Sarnico)

- Clusane d'Iseo (from Punta Clusane to Centro Sportivo Sassabanek)

navigation is allowed with engine at TICK-OVER ONLY and at minimum speed.

In Montisola area (channel and colour-marked pink zone in the chart), characterized by heavily urbanization, bathing and high pubblic/ commercial navigation, maximum allowed speed beyond 50 meters’ (coastal strip) is always of 10 kts.

SAILING LICENSE

Sailing license for crafts (pleasure and sports use only) is mandatory as follow:

- engine with more than 30 KW (40,8 HP).

- in case of water skiing

- to ride water-scooters

INSURANCE

Third Part Insurance for all kinds of boats with combustion or electrical engine, regardless power, is compulsory.

DIVING

The diving has to be marked by floating signal with a red flag crossed by a white stripe.

Flag for diving

The signal shall be visible at least 300 mt far from the diver and its use is compulsory also nearby the shore

A support unit to attend divers is mandatory. The above signal has to be also hoisted.

Minimum distance of 100 mt has to be kept from the floating signal shown by diver and/or by support boats.

Diving is not allowed 50 mt. far from the support unit. During nighttime diving shall be marked by a flashing yellow light, 360 degree visible at least 300 mt.

Diving is forbidden as follow:

- along routes of pubblic line boats;

- nearby pubblic lines boats/ private berthings

- inside ports, as well as in proximity of their entranances

- inside dedicated bathing areas,

- inside enviromental, natural (reeds), archaeological areas.

WATER SCOOTERS AND SIMILARS

Navigation, launch and beaching of any kinds of water scooters IS FORBIDDEN inside the Iseo lake.

In front of municipalities’ areas of Castro, Riva di Solto, Tavernola Bergamasca and Predore navigation is allowed 300 mt far from the shore.

WATER SKIING

Water skiing is allowed, beyond 300 mt from the shore, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. in case of good visibility and good weather condition, with calm water. While hauling water skiers, the boat user have to be SAILING LICENSED and have to be supported by an expert swimmer. Transport of other passengers and hauling of more than two water skiers at the same time IS FORBIDDEN. Departure and restart are allowed beyond 300 mt from the coast and in free water. Lateral distance from other units shall not be less than 50 mt. In any case minimum towing distance is 12 mt.

Maximun allowed speed is 27 kts (50 km/h).

Water skiing is forbidden inside the so called ‘special areas’. See the COMMON RULES para. for details.

Boats for water skiing have to be fitted with::

- approved coupling and towing systems;

- approved wide rear-view convex mirror;

- devices for reverse gear and for engine in neutral;

- first aid kit,

- life jacket for each water skier. It shall be worn during skiing.

OTHERS TOWING SPORTS (Inflatable boats and similars)

Normally prohibited. Sporting and fun towing activities other than water skiing, like inflatable boats and similars, are authorized case-by-case by the Navigation Office and they are subject to same rules for water skiing. Allowed areas and safety rules, taking into account also safety and rights of other users, are set by formal authorization.

BATHERS

Bathers are recommend to stay in reserved/ dedicated areas and, in any case, do not pass the limit of protected coastal strip (from shore to 50 mt). For endurance swimming is suggested to swim parallel to the coast, always in protected areas; otherwise the presence of a support unit with specific signals (see para. DIVING above). is required. Alternatively the floating signal (with rope max 1 mt length tied to the body) is required.

SMALL AND OTHER BOATS

Using of rowing/ pedal boats (canoes, kayaks), kites/surfing tables, etc. is allowed with calm water and in presence of good meteorological condition. On board of these kinds of means the max number of pax is established by the factory and the safety and equipment sets have to be compliant with Italian rules. Lifejackets for everyone on board is MANDATORY. In case of sailing beyond 50 mt from the coast, visible signals, like a red flag, are recommend to be on board.

PRECEDENCES

During sailing all units, with the exception of those with manouvering problems, shall to give precedence to:

- first aid, police and patrolling units;

- public lines boats;

- commercial fishing boats;

- sail boats (w/o use of engine).

Units approaching ports have to give precedence to those departing and all operations shall be conducted with engine at TICK-OVER ONLY and at minimum sustainable speed.

SAFETY EQUIPMENTS

On board all units sailing inland waters, safety equipments (specific for different kind of navigation) are compulsory. Safety equipment have to be checked regularly and replaced in due time (expired date).

In Iseo lake following safety equipments, ready to use, are mandatory on board:

- lifejackets for everyone on board;

- one life-ring with 30 mt. floating rope;

- bilge-pump of adequate capacity or any other means to dry up;

- fire extinguisher (no. and capacity in relation of global engine power and based on craft tipology);

It is also recommend to keep on board following safety equipment:

- 1 smoke;

- 2 red flares;

- sound signals (like horn).

NIGHT TIME NAVIGATION

During night time navigation, boats are requested to be fitted with approved navigation lights. Boats of less than 7 meters in length shall, if practicable, exhibit regular navigation lights, but if not practical, they shall have one all around white light. Units with 360 degrees white lights only are not allowed to exceed speed of 7 kts (13 kmh). Other units shall not exceed speed of 10 kts (18 kmh).

Iseo Lake - Sailing Rules

by Province of Bergamo

(for better reading click on the images)