What is needed for trip to the Netherlands - quals, docs, diesel info please

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Sjk1000

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Hello
We are looking to sail to the Netherlands this summer and want to clarify the situation about qualifications, documents needed and the latest on red diesel. Not quite sure where we are heading specifically but for what situations would we need e.g. CEVNI (do we need it at all, I have heard different things) and also other qualifications or documents?

Also, are there any restrictions for red diesel over there (or on route).

Would also be good to hear of any recommendatios of places to head for.

Many thanks
 
Your first stop is the Boating Abroad section on the RYA site.

However, no issues on red diesel so long as there is nothing in cans and keep receipts.

Best you read the the details on documentation etc so you are fully aware, although you will find that if you have a straightforward cruising yacht under 15m the requirements are minimal.
 
We normally just carry the usual boat documents, plus a health card. While on the subject of cards, there are some places which only accept Maestro, which can be confusing. One example is the payment machine for transiting Haarlem, though the office and roving staff will take debit. Our usual papers are just SSR, boat VAT and purchase documents, radio set and operator licenses, Certificate of competence inc. inland waterways, and fuel receipts.

A holding tank can be useful, but shoreside facilities are widespread. You should have one radio adapted for ATIS. In my case it is switchable on my hand-held.

If you are short of time, you can get a good taste of the country in the South, say up to Dordrecht, and the chance of some reasonable inland sailing. For my money, the North is more interesting, with the chance to visit Amsterdam, the Ijselmeer, Frisland and the Frisian Islands. Everywhere gets very busy during the season, but other than avoiding hot spots at weekends, there is usually room for everyone.
 
Have a look at this thread from the East Coast forum (you can safely ignore the stuff about plates):

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?490625-Trip-to-Amsterdam

In my experience there is quite a big difference between the things you technically have to do (carry the almanacs, register at port of entry) and the bureaucracy-free reality. I would suggest you carry:

Ship's papers
Insurance documents
Passports
Log with names of all crew included
Almanacs if you can get hold of them
Courtesy flag
Fuel receipt if you are feeling nervous
 
johnalison said:
We normally just carry the usual boat documents, plus a health card. While on the subject of cards, there are some places which only accept Maestro, which can be confusing. One example is the payment machine for transiting Haarlem, though the office and roving staff will take debit. Our usual papers are just SSR, boat VAT and purchase documents, radio set and operator licenses, Certificate of competence inc. inland waterways, and fuel receipts.

A holding tank can be useful, but shoreside facilities are widespread. You should have one radio adapted for ATIS. In my case it is switchable on my hand-held.

If you are short of time, you can get a good taste of the country in the South, say up to Dordrecht, and the chance of some reasonable inland sailing. For my money, the North is more interesting, with the chance to visit Amsterdam, the Ijselmeer, Frisland and the Frisian Islands. Everywhere gets very busy during the season, but other than avoiding hot spots at weekends, there is usually room for everyone.
Click to expand...

Maestro only used to be the case in Haarlem, but last year the machines took MasterCard and Visa. Got told off by a strict lady for not using the machine.
Schengen forms also should be filed with first port of call, if you can find anyone prepared to accept them.
 
TLouth7 said:
Almanacs if you can get hold of them
Click to expand...
Instead of the Almanacs*, keeping an electronic copy of the BPR regulations on your tablet, laptop or phone would be sufficient, like the one you can download here. No officials will ever ask for it however.

* Actually only Almanac part 1 would be needed, as this contains the BPR regulations. Part 2 is just convenient to have.
 
TLouth7 said:
Have a look at this thread from the East Coast forum (you can safely ignore the stuff about plates):

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?490625-Trip-to-Amsterdam

In my experience there is quite a big difference between the things you technically have to do (carry the almanacs, register at port of entry) and the bureaucracy-free reality. I would suggest you carry:

Ship's papers
Insurance documents
Passports
Log with names of all crew included
Almanacs if you can get hold of them
Courtesy flag
Fuel receipt if you are feeling nervous
Click to expand...

Helpful.
Can I clarify the position re ships radio operator's licence and whether you (actually) will need to show one.
Imagine, as a hypothetical, you have an old licence but not the DSC-type operator's licence and yet you have inherited a DSC radio on board :sleeping: Wait until you get yourself sorted or point towards Holland?
 
Poecheng said:
Helpful.
Can I clarify the position re ships radio operator's licence and whether you (actually) will need to show one.
Imagine, as a hypothetical, you have an old licence but not the DSC-type operator's licence and yet you have inherited a DSC radio on board :sleeping: Wait until you get yourself sorted or point towards Holland?
Click to expand...
I think that your post is a little short on clarification. I imagine that the Dutch would take the usual view that there is nothing to stop you owning a set, but if you were shown to have used it in DSC mode other than for distress it might be different.
 
I’ve just got back from four weeks there.
I’ve never been asked for passport or anything. Take your SSR certificate, insurance and passports. No problem with diesel. Don’t worry about an ATIS vhf just use your phone.

Take lots of Euros. Whilst harbourmasters seem to prefer cards almost no supermarkets take cards. In the excellent Delta Marina at Kortgene we paid E19 fee by card but had to find E170 in cash for the restaurant.
In some places you need 50cents for a shower so save a few of those.

Lots of fenders for locks which can be a bit harsh.

Love it there so have a great trip.
 
Pye_End said:
Do you still have to provide coins in clogs at certain bridges? If so what is the current going rate?
Click to expand...
When I last went through Friesland 2 years ago, that was still the case. I haven’t heard they were abolished.
When ‘bruggeld’ is due, it is clearly indicated ahead of the bridge and the amount is stated as well. It is not a matter of a ‘going rate’.
 
westhinder said:
When I last went through Friesland 2 years ago, that was still the case. I haven’t heard they were abolished.
When ‘bruggeld’ is due, it is clearly indicated ahead of the bridge and the amount is stated as well. It is not a matter of a ‘going rate’.
Click to expand...
The main ones are Leeuwarden and Dokkum. It is as well to keep plenty of change handy, otherwise it can be awkward. At Haarlem, payment is made after tying up, maybe a shortage of clog-makers in the area.
 
Last year a lady at Lemmer demanded (I think) €5 to be put in a fishing net .At the time I thought it would get expensive if that happened at every bridge and lock, but no other demands happened between Lemmer, Sneek and Stavoren.
I suppose she could have been a privateer just trying her luck, but good value anyway.
 
Dan Tribe said:
Last year a lady at Lemmer demanded (I think) €5 to be put in a fishing net . ...
I suppose she could have been a privateer just trying her luck, but good value anyway.
Click to expand...

That’s a strange fetish: why did you want to put her in a fishing net?

Oh, fishing net stockings, I suppose.

The things tourists go to Holland to do...
 
MoodySabre said:
I’ve just got back from four weeks there.
I’ve never been asked for passport or anything. Take your SSR certificate, insurance and passports. No problem with diesel. Don’t worry about an ATIS vhf just use your phone.

Take lots of Euros. Whilst harbourmasters seem to prefer cards almost no supermarkets take cards. In the excellent Delta Marina at Kortgene we paid E19 fee by card but had to find E170 in cash for the restaurant.
In some places you need 50cents for a shower so save a few of those.

Lots of fenders for locks which can be a bit harsh.

Love it there so have a great trip.
Click to expand...

^^ This - sort of

Last year some supermarkets didn't work with UK cards - my French card worked fine. I was never asked to show a single document, passport SSR, insurance or other. When I asked in Middleburgh about itthey just shrugged ...
 
Sjk1000 said:
Hello
We are looking to sail to the Netherlands this summer and want to clarify the situation about qualifications, documents needed and the latest on red diesel. Not quite sure where we are heading specifically but for what situations would we need e.g. CEVNI (do we need it at all, I have heard different things) and also other qualifications or documents?

Also, are there any restrictions for red diesel over there (or on route).

Would also be good to hear of any recommendatios of places to head for.

Many thanks
Click to expand...

I have been boarded 3 times. Show them all the documentation you've got (I believe they were assessing me as a genuine yachtsman visitor - or not?)

Top tip. Dutch education Authorities are divided into 3; North, Centre and South. Their school summer holiday dates differ. These will be known by the Dutch tourist Board. Call them before making your plans, to avoid the very busy periods.
 
EdWingfield said:
I have been boarded 3 times. Show them all the documentation you've got (I believe they were assessing me as a genuine yachtsman visitor - or not?)

Top tip. Dutch education Authorities are divided into 3; North, Centre and South. Their school summer holiday dates differ. These will be known by the Dutch tourist Board. Call them before making your plans, to avoid the very busy periods.
Click to expand...
Holiday dates here. I always go in May and leave by the end of June. https://www.schoolholidayseurope.eu/netherlands.html
 
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