Belgian inland waterways

[Sojourner47]

Has anyone got recent experience of cruising Flemish waterways?
I'm planning 2 weeks in Sept, launching at Nieuwpoort and heading for Bruges/Gent and further if time allows.
What is the situation regarding locks and lift bridges? Does one have to phone lockkeepers in advance? (I don't have VHF - very small - 14ft - cabin cruiser, so don't need mandatory mariphone on board)
"Inland Waterways of Belgium" gives a long list of safety equipment required to navigate the canal to Bruges and Gent - is this all necessary, and are any official checks made? (boat has BSS cert, and I have ICC/Cevni)
Thanks

 

[pheran]

Haven't been back there for the past few years but we have previously used the Belgium canals and rivers both as an inland through route into neighbouring countries and to visit Brussels, Gent and Brugge. Quite honestly, whilst Brugge is well worth the visit (moor up under the windmills), I wouldn't bother going any further than Gent. From there on, we didn't find the waterways nearly as pleasure-boat friendly as most of the rest of Europe. And if you venture on to the Schelde, don't forget this is tidal with some large tidal differences and fast currents at times.

Whilst I can't recall bridge heights accurately, I doubt that many of them will trouble a smallish cabin cruiser. Never any need to 'phone or radio ahead - this will be arranged for you. For example, when you enter the canal at Nieupoort, and your airdraft requires it, the lock-keeper dispatches one of his minions in a white van to open the bridges for you and he keeps going ahead to deal with the next one.

We were never asked for any paper-work although you will require a Belgian waterways licence. Previously at least, you could buy this at the first lock in Nieupoort. Now, I don't know. For larger boats, SSR is also a requirement but perhaps they won't be too fussy about smaller ones. An ICC with CEVNI is also a stated requirement but again, we were never quizzed on this.

This web-site might contain some useful information

http://www.boatingeurope.com/belgium/boat-holidays.htm

Its for a hire-boat company but may give you some more ideas.

Good luck.

 

[mainshiptom]

just get a hand-held VHF, I do have a guide to this area if you after one!


Tom