Additional moorings have been built on the shore of Driksa
Looking for opportunities to enjoy recreation on the water, residents of Jelgava and city guests go to the Driksa pier, where parking spaces have been created for commercial vessels.
The municipal institution “Pilsētsaimniecība”, with which water tourism service providers coordinate the parking of watercraft even before the season, admits that this year the activity of merchants was really high – the first applications were received shortly after midnight already on the first day of application. “This season, we experienced a situation where the demand of entrepreneurs is greater than the number of parking spaces. In order to provide the residents with even wider opportunities for water tourism, two additional moorings have been built,” says Māris Mielavs, the head of “Pilsētsvērtības”. He explains that the creation of moorings in Driksa is a challenge, because the river bed is not flat, there are shoals along the shore, and changes in the water level must also be taken into account. After evaluating the technical possibilities, two poles were installed on the shore of Driksa near the Sports House of the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies. This season, merchants are provided with a total of 16 parking spaces – 14 along the Driksa bank on Jānis Čakste boulevard, two – near the “Pilsētas elpa” restaurant on the Post island.
Commercial trips – on pre-arranged routes
For several years now, traffic in the Jelgava waters has been regulated by binding regulations of the municipality, in which special attention has been paid to vessels intended for commercial transport. For example, a passenger ship is allowed to use the river’s waters for navigation on a route agreed with the JRTC. Also this year, the shipping routes agreed so far are similar: Driksa towards Bauska–railway bridge–turning in the opposite direction–Lielupe towards Jūrmala–Pilssala observation tower–turning in the opposite direction–Lielupe towards Bauska–channel between Past island and Pilssala– pier. The agreed routes are also presented at the rental points to vacationers who go on outings with water bikes, SUP boards and other watercraft independently.
Ten ships – each with its own unique offer
This season, ten boats prepare their offer for vacationers – “Relax”, “Mika”, “Moana”, “Dezija”, “Jerri”, “Carpe Diem”, “Mītava”, a BBQ grill boat, as well as newcomers – the pontoon boat “Bentley” and “Wave” boat. It is planned that, with the arrival of warmer weather, nine of them will receive passengers at the Driksa pier, but the grill boat will also be able to depart from the rowing base “KC” this year. The vessels have a different capacity – 8, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20 or even 40 persons – and also technical equipment that creates a unique offer. For someone, it is the opportunity to use the grill during the trip, for someone – to enjoy the views from the 2nd floor of the boat, and for another – equipment worthy of a pirate ship with a corresponding story.
New – the “Bentley” boat
The long-standing provider of water tourism services “Latvijas adans”, better known for the pontoon boats “Mika” and “Relax”, is expanding its offer this year and will offer trips with the boat “Bentley” to those interested. “I try to respond to the request. My calling card is pontoon boats, which provide more stability on the water. The largest boat “Relax” also has various essential additional qualities – PVC windows that protect against rain and wind, a heating system in the cabin, a wide deck with the possibility to even go up with a baby carriage or a bicycle. Currently, the new pontoon boat with a capacity of up to 15 passengers is prepared according to the same principle. People appreciate the comfort and the opportunity to go on trips in a larger company – the last two years I ended the season in November and even then I still received calls from interested parties. This year I will have the opportunity to offer trips to an even wider range of vacationers,” says Sergejs Sidorovs, the head of the company.
New – the “Wave” boat
D6 Group, better known as Advaita adventures, is also preparing for its first season. “We have been operating in Riga and its surroundings for several years, offering both boat trips, as well as soup in the moors and many other events. Until now, the people of Jelgava have been our frequent customers in various events, so this season we decided to enter Jelgava with our offer as well,” says company manager Dinārs Kalniņš. He points out that the final works are currently underway to prepare the sixteen-seater boat “Vilnis” for trips. Once it was the owner’s Vilnius fishing boat, with which he regularly went to sea, but now it has been rebuilt and stylized as a wooden boat for private and public trips. “There are really many ideas for the tourism offer – not only trips, but also master classes on the water, the specialized offer with snacks. Also planned is a water concert with our proposed SUP boards, equipped with lights illuminating the water in the evening hours, water bikes and kayaks. As soon as we can assess the demand, the offer will follow,” said D. Kalniņš.
Wide offer for smaller watercraft as well
JRTC states that at least six rental points will be operating this year, where smaller watercraft will also be available – more than 40 catamarans, various types of SUP boards, rowing boats and canoes. Each rental point with its own offer will be located both at the Driksa pier, as well as at the Jelgava yacht club and the Pasta sala rowing base. An auction is currently underway for the establishment of a SUP rental point on the beach of the right bank of Lielupe.
Active time on the water will also be available in various events – twice a month until September, family rowing competitions will be held in the waters of Lielupe in tourist canoes, while regular recreational boat trips will be organized during the season by the companies “Jelgavas laivas” and “Ozolaivas.lv”.
Limitations should be taken into account when using the slip
One of the most convenient places in the city where both commercial and private watercraft can be launched into the river is the Pilssalas Street slip. Construction work will continue there until the end of June, so access to the slips will be limited. Taking into account that the construction area is fenced, the use of slips should be inquired about and it must be agreed in advance with the responsible construction manager Armanda Novicki by phone at 26552226. It should be noted that at the Driksa boat pier – along the coast and near the “Pilsētas elpa” restaurant – also this season parking spaces for the parking of vessels, which may be used without approval. It is important to emphasize: restrictions must also be taken into account in this case, as the parking space is intended for short-term use – up to four hours.
The order in the waters is monitored by a water police patrol
Observance of navigation rules in the city’s rivers is controlled by the water police patrol, which has already started work. “In recent years, the intensity of traffic on the water has increased a lot – if once we could compare it to a minor road, now, especially in warm weather, it has already become a full-fledged highway. People travel with boats, catamarans, SUP boards, boats, yachts, and this is also the time when training takes place at the Children’s and Youth Sports School and rowing clubs. In general, the situation with water transport traffic in Lielupe and Driksa has improved, but we cannot do without reprimands,” says Inga Stepane, head of the Traffic Monitoring Department of Jelgava Municipality Police. For example, last year, recreational vessels were inspected 267 times during regular inspections. In 19 cases, violations of the rules of driving and operation of the pleasure boat were found, and corresponding decisions were also made about them, while in another 55 cases, the driver of the pleasure boat was given a verbal reprimand for related violations.
Navigation signs as demonstrable rules
Not only traffic safety on sidewalks, streets and highways is important every day, but also on water. In order to regulate the movement of water transport in the waters of Lielupe and Driksa and to ensure safe navigation, navigation signs for the traffic of small vessels have been installed on the banks of rivers and on bridges. It is important to know that Driksa and Lielupe, in the section from the railway bridge to the power line in Pilssala, is divided into six zones, determining the limits of the water area of each zone – the speed of movement from 4 to 8 kilometers per hour, places where it is forbidden to ride water skis and jet skis. At the same time, commercial transport operators as well as private shippers must take into account the shipping regulations developed by the Cabinet of Ministers, which determine clear shipping procedures – both the speed at which to move, who must give way, and other important aspects.
Most often – lightly against safety vests
“The nature of the most frequent sailing violations is the same – on various types of watercraft, vacationers lightly apply safety vests. Namely, their use is mandatory for children under 12 years of age during transportation with any watercraft, but in practice we hear reservations about hot weather and inconvenience. Violations were also recorded in connection with unregistered watercraft, vessels without relevant rescue equipment, as well as exceeding the number of passengers in the watercraft. Situations have also been observed when residents go on trips with a rented jet ski, but do not know that they can drive it only if they have obtained a sailing license”, I. Stepane cites examples, calling on water traffic participants to be responsible and familiarize themselves with sailing regulations even before the season .
It is important to remember: traffic accidents on water or situations that may endanger shipping traffic in Jelgava must be reported by calling the unified emergency call number 112, the residents’ support phone number 8787 or the municipal police on the phone number 8550.
