Holland

[Jean]

We are off to Holland in August but it’s several years since the last sailing visit there. Any advice would be appreciated, for example, are there any formal entry requirements, do we still need to carry a copy of the Dutch inland waterways regulations (in Dutch!), are there any entry constraints at Flushing etc.

 

[ToMo]

Think that RYA has the latest info re Dutch regs.
TôMö

 

[Chris_Stannard]

You still have to carry DEEL 1 (regs) and DEEL 2 is useful for bridge opening times. There is a Netherlands Waterways Cruising Pilot which is helpful. You can all of them from Southampton, but I can never remeber the name of the nautical booksellers (Simpsomn Lawrence?). The only real problem I found was the Rail bridges at Gouda which only open if they know there is going to be yacht traffic and then at either 6 am or 9 pm (last years times).

Chris Stannard

 

[heerenleed]

Problem is that railway bridges in the Netherlands are controlled by the NS (Dutch Railways) and not by the national or provincial authorities. Therefore, it is always difficult to find the right opening times. There is a leaflet issued by the NS, but I have never managed to get it (and now I don/'t bother anymore)
Anyway, there are information panels near most railway bridges indicating the opening times, and there is a web site: www.staandemast.nl which gives information about everything concerning the Standing Mast route from Vlissingen to Amsterdam. Go to "openingstijden bruggen" and then down until you find Spoorbrug Gouda. All is in Dutch, but you should be able to find your way anyway.

Happy sailing

Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands

 

[ChrisJ]

We went to Holland last year, entered at Flushing.
There is a new marina 1/2 mile before the northwards heading canal, but we went to the older one - in through the big lock, past the fishing port and then the [small] marina on the right just where the canal starts.
We arrived at 06:30 Sunday, and had no problems with the lock times.

Heading North, we left with the other boats the next Sunday morning at about 10:00, and motored in company up the canal through the different swing bridges in turn.

Once into the Veersemere, you just laze and enjoy.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

Agree with all that. I have every intention of going back next year. SHMBO wants to go to Brittany this year.

Have a good trip

Chris Stannard

 

[roger]

A few thoughts:-
You need the current years charts not last years. The banks move.
If you enter at IJmuiden (I'm sure thats spelt wrong) you can take the vast ship canal straight into the middle of Amsterdam. The Sixhaven Marina is welcoming, centrally placed, quiet and inexpensive.
Cruising Holland is slow because of the bridges and locks - you have to make time for it but its well worth it.

 

[heerenleed]

Congratulations!

You're the first Brit that spelt it right. Capital I and J, as it is one letter in the Dutch alfabet.
Anyway, I think that apart from Amsterdam there is more interesting cruising grounds in the Netherlands. I would rather recomend the SW parts, getting in at Vlissingen (or Roompor or Stellendam, but not in anything over F5, especially NW). Lots of nice old towns with fishing harbours now being marinas, all inexpensive (compared to UK prices, that is) Avoid the IJsselmeer in hot weather. The shoal waters get look warm and the place is full of tiny little flies, a bit like mosquitos, they won't sting but they will sit on you by the hundreds driving you bananas after half an hour, and nothing helps. This also goes for the Volkerak in the SW. Generally, fresh water basins have this problem with the exception of Hollands Diep and Haringvliet. The Veerse Meer and Grevelingen, although shut off from the seam, are not freshwater basins.
Now back to Roger's questions:
As a Dutchman I don't know of any specific Dutch regulations for the entry of foreign yachts. I never heard of anyone being checked. However, if your boat looks suspect in the eye of a custom officer (don't ask me what their criteria are)you may be ckecked on drugs though. If you meet the British regs concerning travel by yacht, I think you'll be OK in the Netherlands. Check with official Dutch tourism offices in the UK. Anyway, with many many Belgian, German and British yachts moving about I can't imagine that Customs really would bother with paperwork.

happy sailing

Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Congratulations!

Peter this is an interesting prospect - someone taking drugs from England to Holland.

 

[Mirelle]

Dutch Charts and publications

Small Craft Deliveries, Quay Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk have a comprehensive supply of Dutch nautical publications and charts. (They are the Admiralty chart agents for Felixstowe, which is why they carry everythung under the sun.)

 

[johnsomerhausen]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned in any of the posts is that Britain is not part of the "Schengen agreement" on border controls, so that you'll have to go to the police (or maybe some othe authority) and fill in a form to make your arrival "official". Maybe the Dutch aren't going to control you for that, but I've heard reports of Belgian officials being quite snooty aout it. So, if weather or something else were to force you into a Belgian harbour on the way back, better have that paper....
john

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reminder. I was visited by the Schengen police the week before last at my home mooring in Belgium and had to inform them that I had forgotten to bring my papers with me. They were very pleasant and suggested that I bring them next time. I'm just off this morning and would have forgotten again if I hadn't seen your post! The're in the briefcase now!

I have been checked by the Schengen chappies frequently in Belgium, both on my own ship and whilst delivering others. Once three times in one day (Brugge, Plasschaendale and Nieuwepoort)!! You need passports, registration papers, certificate of competence and radio operator's licence. In my experience they have always been pleasant and straightforward. Don't know about Holland: perhaps they haven't spotted me there yet!