CliveG
Well-Known Member
We left Oostende about the turn of the tide and headed up the coast to Zeebrugge.
The entrance to Zeebrugge is o.k. but clearance should be obtained via VHF according to Reeds.
Harbour entrance
We called and where given clearance to follow a large car carrier in.
Once in (about mid day) we called the lock and where told that we had just missed a lock and we would have to wait for 3:30p.m. for the next lock so we went round to the yacht club marina in Visserhaven where we were allowed to moor for a few hours at no charge.
We checked with the lock about 3p.m. to be told that the locking would be at about 4 p.m.
We headed round to the lock (the main sea lock) at about 3.45 and hovered off along with a 100m long fuel barge.
Once the lock had opened and the 3 barges and a car carrier that were in the lock had left we entered with the fuel barge and as requested went to the far end of the lock.
There are mooring bollards set in the lock walls and large black rubber fender strips.
The bollards are about 15m apart with a fender between.
It is a matter of springing off one bollard.
The bollards that can be reached on entering are below the upper water level of the lock and are have quite a shellfish and weed covering.
You would want to use old ropes for the job.
The lock walls are covered in mussels and oysters.
Fending off by foot will help to preserve your fenders ability to hold air.
Once secure in the lock looked back to see another Car Carrier heading in from sea.
He did get quite close!
Once he was in and another fuel barge the gate was closed.
The water entered the lock quite gently.
We were told later the it takes ½ million m3 of water to fill it.
Once the upper gate started opening I had decided to let the fuel barges go out 1st but the car Carrier called us on the VHF to ask if we were leaving the lock!
We then went for it.
We worked our way round to the Brugge Canal following the barges that had overtaken us en-route.
Just before the turn into the canal there is a swing bridge carrying an access road.
This was open when we got to it. (view from canal side)
About half way along the canal there is a railway bridge closely followed by a road bridge.
There was one of the barges not far ahead of us.
We called the rail bridge and had a reply in English to say that the bridge would lift in 5 minutes.
Following a train going over the bridge did lift and we went through after the barge.
The road bridge is automatic according to the signs.
Photo from Brugge side
It lifted for the barge and stayed up for us.
Not sure how the system works and if a Yacht would trigger the opening system.
We were later told that the bridge was operated from a remote location.
Once past those obstacles it was clear to the end of the canal where we found the Burgge Zail Yacht Club’s new pontoons on the left bank.
We were made very welcome.
There is a new club house with bar, toilets & Showers.
The fee was a very reasonable 1 euro per meter per night.
The flowing day we walked into Brugge.
This took about 25 mins to reach the centre area.
We had to have waffles and coffee.
After a good look round we headed back by following one of the canals north out of the city.
Near the marina we found a local center with a bakers, bank, chemist and greengrocers.
In the evening the Club President, Paul, came down and introduced himself.
He was taking his Dufore 425, that was at the club, back to his home base in the morning and did we want to go back to Zeebrugge with him.
This offer we accepted with thanks.
He then told us that the marina pontoons where only 3 months old
We were only the 10 visiting and the 1st English boat to use the pontoon.
We explained that we where part on the YBW East Coast forum and that other members may be interested in visiting.
May be after following next year’s Oostende weekend.
He said that we would be very welcome and if there are enough of us they would organise a meal in the club house and get bikes sorted for us to ride into the city.
The following morning we followed Paul and his crew back down the canal through the Road bridge and, following a 20 minute wait, the rail bridge.
Once through there, Paul called the Sea lock and was told that the next lock out would be about mid-day.
When we reached the swing bridge it was shut.
Paul called to ask for it to be opened and was told that it would be opened for us at 11 o’clock.
Paul lead us up to the small sea lock at the end of the canal and put a rope around one of the dolphins that guide barges into the lock.
We went alongside his boat.
While we waited he told us that there was a plan to build a new lock just downstream of the Rail bridge and to leave this lock open to the tide.
He also told us that his club would have a second base in Zeebrugge next year.
At 11 we went to the swing bridge, found it open and headed to the lock.
Paul again roped to a dolphin in front of the lock and we rafted up to him.
A Dredger entered the lock when it was ready and we followed in.
Paul put one line onto a ladder let into the side of the lock and onto one of the Mooring rings.
He had one of the black rubber fender units to deal with.
He kindly allowed us to raft on him again.
It was high tide and the lock water went up about 1/2m before we escaped to head out to sea.
The entrance to Zeebrugge is o.k. but clearance should be obtained via VHF according to Reeds.
Harbour entrance
We called and where given clearance to follow a large car carrier in.
Once in (about mid day) we called the lock and where told that we had just missed a lock and we would have to wait for 3:30p.m. for the next lock so we went round to the yacht club marina in Visserhaven where we were allowed to moor for a few hours at no charge.
We checked with the lock about 3p.m. to be told that the locking would be at about 4 p.m.
We headed round to the lock (the main sea lock) at about 3.45 and hovered off along with a 100m long fuel barge.
Once the lock had opened and the 3 barges and a car carrier that were in the lock had left we entered with the fuel barge and as requested went to the far end of the lock.
There are mooring bollards set in the lock walls and large black rubber fender strips.
The bollards are about 15m apart with a fender between.
It is a matter of springing off one bollard.
The bollards that can be reached on entering are below the upper water level of the lock and are have quite a shellfish and weed covering.
You would want to use old ropes for the job.
The lock walls are covered in mussels and oysters.
Fending off by foot will help to preserve your fenders ability to hold air.
Once secure in the lock looked back to see another Car Carrier heading in from sea.
He did get quite close!
Once he was in and another fuel barge the gate was closed.
The water entered the lock quite gently.
We were told later the it takes ½ million m3 of water to fill it.
Once the upper gate started opening I had decided to let the fuel barges go out 1st but the car Carrier called us on the VHF to ask if we were leaving the lock!
We then went for it.
We worked our way round to the Brugge Canal following the barges that had overtaken us en-route.
Just before the turn into the canal there is a swing bridge carrying an access road.
This was open when we got to it. (view from canal side)
About half way along the canal there is a railway bridge closely followed by a road bridge.
There was one of the barges not far ahead of us.
We called the rail bridge and had a reply in English to say that the bridge would lift in 5 minutes.
Following a train going over the bridge did lift and we went through after the barge.
The road bridge is automatic according to the signs.
Photo from Brugge side
It lifted for the barge and stayed up for us.
Not sure how the system works and if a Yacht would trigger the opening system.
We were later told that the bridge was operated from a remote location.
Once past those obstacles it was clear to the end of the canal where we found the Burgge Zail Yacht Club’s new pontoons on the left bank.
We were made very welcome.
There is a new club house with bar, toilets & Showers.
The fee was a very reasonable 1 euro per meter per night.
The flowing day we walked into Brugge.
This took about 25 mins to reach the centre area.
We had to have waffles and coffee.
After a good look round we headed back by following one of the canals north out of the city.
Near the marina we found a local center with a bakers, bank, chemist and greengrocers.
In the evening the Club President, Paul, came down and introduced himself.
He was taking his Dufore 425, that was at the club, back to his home base in the morning and did we want to go back to Zeebrugge with him.
This offer we accepted with thanks.
He then told us that the marina pontoons where only 3 months old
We were only the 10 visiting and the 1st English boat to use the pontoon.
We explained that we where part on the YBW East Coast forum and that other members may be interested in visiting.
May be after following next year’s Oostende weekend.
He said that we would be very welcome and if there are enough of us they would organise a meal in the club house and get bikes sorted for us to ride into the city.
The following morning we followed Paul and his crew back down the canal through the Road bridge and, following a 20 minute wait, the rail bridge.
Once through there, Paul called the Sea lock and was told that the next lock out would be about mid-day.
When we reached the swing bridge it was shut.
Paul called to ask for it to be opened and was told that it would be opened for us at 11 o’clock.
Paul lead us up to the small sea lock at the end of the canal and put a rope around one of the dolphins that guide barges into the lock.
We went alongside his boat.
While we waited he told us that there was a plan to build a new lock just downstream of the Rail bridge and to leave this lock open to the tide.
He also told us that his club would have a second base in Zeebrugge next year.
At 11 we went to the swing bridge, found it open and headed to the lock.
Paul again roped to a dolphin in front of the lock and we rafted up to him.
A Dredger entered the lock when it was ready and we followed in.
Paul put one line onto a ladder let into the side of the lock and onto one of the Mooring rings.
He had one of the black rubber fender units to deal with.
He kindly allowed us to raft on him again.
It was high tide and the lock water went up about 1/2m before we escaped to head out to sea.
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