The Dutch are out sailing today.

Seven Spades

Seven Spades

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I notice on marine traffic that the Dutch are all out sailing today. Does anyone here speak the lingo and knows what is happening in Holland?

Were there restrictions that were lifted or were there never any restrictions in the first place?
 
Seven Spades said:
I notice on marine traffic that the Dutch are all out sailing today. Does anyone here speak the lingo and knows what is happening in Holland?

Were there restrictions that were lifted or were there never any restrictions in the first place?
Click to expand...

Their coasts have been pretty active throughout the current shenanigans, thus I assume that they have not had the sort of restrictions on leisure boating that are apparent across the rest of Western Europe.
 
I don't know what their regulations are, but the Dutch are very different from us in many ways. In Britain there would be riots in the streets if we privileged yachtsmen were give free rein to go on our boats, but in the Netherlands owning a boat is not considered unusual or something that induces jealousy.
 
The country has not issued a shelter in place order to citizens and residents, or imposed travel restrictions within the country.
forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2020/03/27/caught-between-herd-immunity-and-national-lockdown-holland-hit-hard-by-covid-19/#78d1126b3557
 
I think the Dutch are operating a similar concept to the Swedes and not introducing restrictions, but relying upon 'herd immunity'
Thinking of the Dutch and 'herd immunity', there was a joke told years ago which I remember hearing in Amsterdam.....
'Why do football matches in Northern Frieseland only last 20 minutes?
Because after that the spectators will have eaten all the grass!'
 
The Dutch restrictions are less stringent than many other countries. In general all organised sports are off until 29 April, sports clubs are closed, but sporting on an individual basis is fine. That also applies to sailing. here is a quote from the Watersportverbond:

Varen mag nog steeds, op eigen verantwoordelijkheid en met de (morele) oproep achter de maatregelen: vermijd contact, geen groepsgebeuren en houd 1,5 meter afstand. Praktisch betekent dit dat varen alleen nog mogelijk is als individu of met het gezin. Blijf zoveel mogelijk thuis, maar een frisse neus (op het water) halen kan dus. Kies daarvoor een rustige vaarroute of vaargebied, zodat je geen ophopingen van vaarverkeer krijgt.
Zorg daarnaast voor een goede reisvoorbereiding! Diverse regionale vaarwegbeheerders verlengen de winterdienstregeling. Ook kunnen burgemeesters en/of veiligheidsregio's bepaalde locaties sluiten en gebieden aanwijzen waar groepsvorming verboden is.

Summary: sailing is authorised, if done individually or as a family. Social contact has to be avoided and you have to plan carefully, as local authorities may impose further restrictions.
I can add that the province of Zeeland has outlawed staying in second homes, caravans and yachts. So you might be able to go for a sail, but not spend the night aboard.
 
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