Dutch enforcement of regulations

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BelleSerene

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I know the Dutch are sticklers at enforcing regulations, such as the use of an inverted cone when motoring in a yacht.

But do they really require some of the CEVNI regulations, which state:

You need to carry on board an actual copy of the CEVNI regulations as opposed to a more helpful and concise RYA guide to them? (I have managed to find one at www.cevni.info/cevni regs.pdf, but try searching for one to buy!)

Boat's name on bow and stern (I have it on the stern and as it happens emblazoned on spray dodgers either side, but come on, who puts it on the bow of a yacht?!)

Name & address displayed conspicuously. (I could always print it on an A4 sheet in a Ziploc bag!)

Anchor marked with vessel’s name/ SSR

Blue board for indicating to oncoming vessels that you're crossing a waterway


Does anyone have experience of this?
 
I haven't noticed any of this when in the Dutch waterways and certainly don't know anybody who has their anchor marked with their vessel's name or SSR number!

At the risk of stating the obvious an inverted cone is only required when motor sailing rather than when just motoring.
 
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There is an atlas of the Dutch canals that is pretty well essential for going anywhere inland. It contains the CEVNI stuff so should cover you as far as the required documentation is concerned. As for the other stuff e.g. names on the bow, no one bothered us when we went through so I doubt it's a major issue.
 
I don't think motor-cones were ever very widespread in the UK. I never saw them or thought of carrying one in the 70s and it wasn't until we heard rumours of massive fines off the Belgian coast that it crossed our minds to bother.

I was once upbraided by a Dutchman for not having my port of registry on my stern. I pointed out that as it was a British boat I was entitled not to register my boat (though I had SSR) and sail under British rules.
 
Think you have to differentiate between requirements such as CEVNI which apply to all vessels operating in the area and regulations that are a requirement for local registration. However those related to registration only apply in coastal waters because they are covered by the UN convention, whereas inland waterways are not, so the state can impose any regulations it likes.

Not very helpful as it is not always easy to differentiate, nor to predict how rigorous the enforcement might be.

Think you need to take advice from the Dutch authorities.
 
rotrax said:
BelleSerene said:
come on, who puts it on the bow of a yacht?! Hi, We put our boats name on the bows after a nice marina chap nearly fell in trying to read the name on the stern which was 6 feet from the end of the pontoon.
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Mine is in 6" high letters on the part of the boom forward of the mast. It's surprising how many people still can't see it!
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BelleSerene said:
I know the Dutch are sticklers at enforcing regulations, such as the use of an inverted cone when motoring in a yacht.

But do they really require some of the CEVNI regulations, which state:

You need to carry on board an actual copy of the CEVNI regulations as opposed to a more helpful and concise RYA guide to them? (I have managed to find one at www.cevni.info/cevni regs.pdf, but try searching for one to buy!)

Boat's name on bow and stern (I have it on the stern and as it happens emblazoned on spray dodgers either side, but come on, who puts it on the bow of a yacht?!)

Name & address displayed conspicuously. (I could always print it on an A4 sheet in a Ziploc bag!)

Anchor marked with vessel’s name/ SSR

Blue board for indicating to oncoming vessels that you're crossing a waterway


Does anyone have experience of this?
Click to expand...

Many of regulations do not apply to "small craft" defined as <20m length.

I don't have Cevni regs on board, been to Holland for last 9 years in summer, 6 weeks last year.

Name on bow & stern not required, just on outside of craft somewhere with SSR marks.
Name address of owner, can be below, pin up your Ship's Radio License, has all info requiredon it.

Anchor marking not required samll craft (Art 2.05 para 2.)

Blue board, not required small craft, Art 6.04 small craft are class II.
 
On arrival in Den Helder last year I was boarded by Customs.

They required to see:

proof of ownership
insurance
radio certificate/licence
passports

Later, on one of the Frisian Islands (cannot remember which) I was boarded again. I protested and asked that they check with Den Helder, which they did, and they left politely.
 
Have been in The Netherlands as a liveaboard for 6 years and have only had contact with the authorities twice. The first time was on arrival at Ijmuiden (usual customs check). The second time for using a sign as a mooring bollard 100 Euro fine, but we were let off.
 
Hi, we have had sailing boat in Holland for the last few years.
I have been boarded twice in the last 3 years, once at sea and once in harbour.

From my experience, all they are interested in is seeing passports, checking the VAT status of the boat and making sure you don't have red diesel.

When last boarded (in Rotterdam City Marina), I had only just bought the boat and taken it to Holland so had no SSR cert, only the RYA billof sale. I joked with the customs official that I had no SSR cert but that they were probably only interested in the VAT status .. he laughed and said 'precisely' ...

At sea 3 years ago they checked my ship's file - all in order but slapped my wrist for not having the motor sailing cone up .. they are keen on this.

I think to summarise, have a well organised ship's papers file. This make it wasy for them to check your documents and shows you are organised and have everything. As a minimum, I carry the following -

- SSR Cert
- Bill of Sale
- RCD build cert (if applicable)
- Separate file with all VAT evidence
- Insurance Docs
- Wateralmanak Vol1
- Ship Radio Licence (remember you also need to have an ATIS enabled radio and licence endorsment .... for inland)
- Radio Operator Cert
- Last fuel purchase receipts

If you have the above all nicely organised they will be through it and gone. Interestingly, they should put all your boat details on their system and you shouldn't be boarded again. CEVNI rules don't apply to yachts ... not quick enough or long enough (for most of us).

Hope this helps ! Enjoy Holland, it's great !
 
desiderata said:
Sorry forgot to mention you are required to carry the Wateralmanak Vol1 http://www.chartroom-online.com/books/all_books_by_title/anwb_wateralmanak_vol_1_2011_12

Only printed in Dutch so a waste of money for us but it is a legal requirement
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Yes, that is the only document other than passport and registration I have ever been asked to show when in Holland. That was 20 years ago. I witnessed a quite serious collision on the inland waterways and was interviewed by the police as a result. During the interview the police pointed out I wasn't aware of one of the waterway rules, stated in the almanac but being in Dutch incomprehensible to me. Doubly annoying is the requirement to buy a new, useless, almanac each year (assuming you are revisiting). At one time the RYA petitioned the Dutch to produce an English version. Vol 2 is very useful for extended waterway cruising in Holland.

Another Dutch requirement from years back, probably now gone, was to carry the current year's edition of the inland waterway chart-book for each of the areas visited. The charts were excellent but each chart-book only covered a small area, so a new set of perhaps five each time was a major expense. I stopped bothering when I realised no-one checked.
 
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