Saatja: "Liina Härm" <
[email protected]>
Saaja:
[email protected]
Teema: Questionnaire PIANC WG 179
Kuupäev: 2015-09-02 14:20
Dear members of the WG179
My apologies for being late with answer to the questionnaire. As we explain below, inland waterways are rather less relevant in terms of navigation for Estonia but despite that we send our answers, just for Your information.
Estonian inland waters do not have considerable importance in terms of waterborne transport. Most of the inland waterways have mean depth not more than 5 m with limiting shoals with max depth not more than 2 m. Depending on surface water and precipitation water level may change in magnitude of 1 m. Navigation is seasonal, lakes and rivers are ice-covered in most winters, usually from November to April.
Most of navigable river mouths in Estonia are considered inland waters by law, even though they have substantively more similarities with sea areas. Upper Narva river, lake Peipsi, Emajõgi river, lake Võrtsjärv and Väike-Emajõgi river (see the map attached) are not connected to the sea and they form a separate system of inland waterways. However, it is connected to part of Russian inland waterways through lake Peipsi.
Most of the users of inland waterways are small boats, both fishing and recreational, with their total amount being thousands. Only some ships up to 32 m are in use for ferry links and specific works. Only a small part of the vessels are sailing vessels i.e. are appreciably constrained by bridges and overhead cables. No navigational locks.
We hope it's sufficient for background info.
On behalf of PIANC Estonia
Ms. Liina Härm
Estonian Maritime Administration