New guidance for navigation on the Danube. With the introduction of the ‘Recommended Track’ in the Austrian Inland Electronic Charts (IENCs), skippers now have access to an additional service for the free-flowing sections of the Danube. The recommended track is available for the free-flowing section of the Wachau (Danube river km 2037.8 – 1997.8) and east of Vienna (Danube river km 1920.6 – 1872.7), offering additional guidance to make the best possible use of the available water depths and thus supporting optimised transport and travel planning.
Ford of Regelsbrunn, source: IENC, viadonau
Photo: © viadonau/Andi Bruckner
Implementation of the ‘Recommended Track’ in Austria
The ‘Recommended Track’ represents the centre line of the so-called fairway in the Austrian section of the Danube. This describes the area within the fairway which, based on current bathymetric surveys, has the greatest available fairway depths in relation to RNW 2020 (regulated low water) and at the same time ensures the required fairway width for a four-vessel push convoy travelling downstream. The respective width depends on the bend radius (between 40 and 80 metres).
Based on current survey data
The map is based on the site plans of shallow areas published by viadonau. Whilst depth data for free-flowing sections is generally updated annually, monthly surveys are carried out for relevant shallow areas.
Greater safety in challenging river sections
The ‘Recommended Track’ serves as an additional navigational aid for shipping and indicates the area with the most favourable navigational conditions. As passing and overtaking manoeuvres are generally not possible within the deep channel, it may be necessary to wait at a suitable location in accordance with the Waterways Traffic Regulations until it is possible to navigate through a shallow section within the deep channel.
The ‘Recommended Track’ expands the range of digital information available for inland waterway shipping and makes a further contribution to safe and efficient navigation on the Austrian Danube.
