Holland/Zeeland/Middelburg canal

[Koeketiene]

Thought I'd share on here, as I was totally unaware of this and spent over 3 hours yesterday waiting for bridges to open.

Due to Covid19, the bridges along the Middelbur/Walcheren canal only open ever 4 hours.


Traffic Flushing (Vlissingen) to Middelburg.

Keersluisbrug	5.42	10.12	14.12	18.12
Sloebrug	5.51	10.21	14.21	18.21
Souburg	6.03	10.33	14.33	18.33
Schroebrug	6.47	11.17	15.17	19.17
Stationsbrug	7.07	11.37	15.37	19.37

Traffic Middelburg to Flushing (Vlissingen).

Stationsbrug	7.07	11.37	15.37	19.37
Schroebrug	7.17	11.47	15.47	19.47
Souburg	7.33	12.03	16.03	20.03
Sloebrug	7.51	12.21	16.21	20.21
Keersluisbrug	8.12	12.42	16.42	20.42

Source: Bedieningstijden sluizen en bruggen | Zeeland

 

[Simi]

Hi what’s the situation in Holland for boaters we had a super 2 weeks there last summer

 

[Koeketiene]

Hi what’s the situation in Holland for boaters we had a super 2 weeks there last summer

Very quiet.
Lots of marinas complaining about a lack of visitors.

Same thing in Belgium.
The Montgomery dock in Ostend is usually heaving this time of year.
Just 4 visitors and berth holders here.

 

[Simi]

Are bars shops ect open any restrictions on entering and leaving Holland

 

[Koeketiene]

Are bars shops ect open any restrictions on entering and leaving Holland

- Bars, restaurants and shops are all open. Some social distancing rules in place.
Reduced capacity in bars/restauranst. Supermarket I shopped at every customer had to take a trolley.

- No restrictions on leaving/departure in evidence.
Large majority of boats we encountered were Dutch.
Also sizable contigent of Belgians.
Some Germans and a few (3) Brits.

 

[bobgarrett]

Isn't this the usual summer "blue wave" system?

 

[Tomahawk]

OOI,
Can anyone work out what is the epidemiological benefit from reducing the opening times for bridges?

 

[Plum]

Isn't this the usual summer "blue wave" system?

Yes, the Blue Wave system was started, I believe, in 2014 to ensure boats congregated and went through in waves to reduce bridge opening frequencies. It works well if all the boats travel at the correct speed each bridge in succession opens on arrival.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[johnalison]

There is always the Hansweert canal as an alternative, which has long been my preference when not wanting to visit the Veersemeer.

 

[Cantata]

Yes, the Blue Wave system was started, I believe, in 2014 to ensure boats congregated and went through in waves to reduce bridge opening frequencies. It works well if all the boats travel at the correct speed each bridge in succession opens on arrival.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

But that system normally operates much more frequently as I recall?

 

[Dan Tribe]

Yes, the Blue Wave system was started, I believe, in 2014 to ensure boats congregated and went through in waves to reduce bridge opening frequencies. It works well if all the boats travel at the correct speed each bridge in succession opens on arrival.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

On a visit soon after the Blue Wave system started, I wasn't aware of it and turned up at the wrong time. They still opened all the bridges just for me. It was a bit embarrassing seeing all the traffic hold ups I caused, but no one complained directly to me.

 

[Plum]

But that system normally operates much more frequently as I recall?

Your right! Just checked, in 2019 it was 8 openings per day!

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk