Netherlands - Restrictions
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Shipping traffic is very heavy along the coast. A very busy shipping route is via the Hook of Holland over the New Waterway to Rotterdam, and there is no yacht harbour in this port. In a strong westerly wind and outgoing tide from the New Waterway, there can be a high tidal sea.
Inland waterways
Access to the inland waterways is from the ports of Veerhaven and the IJmuiden locks. From Den Helder, there are connections via the Noord-Hollands Canal and the Zaan with Amsterdam. There is access through Vlissingen with a standing mast via the Canal through Walcheren with connections to Dordrecht and Rotterdam. There is no access from Scheveningen.
There are no speed limits on the larger rivers (except the Maas), the IJsselmeer, the open-sea channels in Zeeland, the Waddenzee and the coastal waters. However, there are speed limits in force on the canals and lakes, varying between 5 and 9 knots in different areas, which should be checked. Motorboats capable of travelling at more than 9 knots must be registered. This can be done at most larger post offices for a fee, showing proof of identity. In some areas, local permission must also be obtained to travel at greater speeds.
On many of the canals and rivers, yachts must keep to starboard and have their engines prepared for use. If motorsailing on the waterways, yachts are required to display forward a black cone, apex downwards.
Landing on some islands in the inland waterways is restricted. There are also restrictions concerning draft and height. However, there are certain routes that can be taken by yachts with high fixed masts without encountering any bridges. These are in the western and northern parts of Holland, such as Vlissingen to Delfzijl.
Yachts are required to have on board a copy of the Inland Waters Police Regulations, which are in force on most of the inland waters, the Zeeland channels (except the Western Scheldt, where its own shipping regulations apply), the IJsselmeer, and the Waddenzee. On the Dutch Rhine, the Waal and the Lek the Rhine Route Police Regulations are in force.
The Inland Waters Police Regulations are available in Part I of the Almanak voor Watertourisme, in Dutch only. Part 2 contains tide tables, opening times of bridges and locks, and other essential details.
The rules applicable to Amsterdam, are called the Verordening op de Haven en het Binnenwater.
On the basis of these rules the Amsterdam port control and police patrol boats can give compulsory instructions and issue fines if necessary.
It is recommended to have the latest charts on board as depths change and banks, as well as shallow areas, move frequently.
From January 2009 it is prohibited to discharge black water (toilet waste) from all pleasure boats on all inland waterways, lakes, the Waddensea and territorial waters within 12 NM of the Netherlands Coast.
Pleasure boats can be installed with holding tanks, dry or chemical toilets or boaters could choose simply not to use their toilets. The law is likely to be enforced with rigour.
Fishing
There are certain regulations regarding fishing in the Netherlands and a permit must be bought. Permits can be obtained at post offices. Regulations must be respected concerning closed seasons, areas where fishing is permitted, types of rods which can be used and types of fish which can be caught.
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Amsterdam rail bridge not operating from 1st Oct 2023 until 31st May 2024 for vessels with more than 6.25 m above normal canal level. Use the Haarlem route instead.
A port not to be missed when sailing the Friesian Islands is Harlingen. Both Vlieland and Terschelling are within reach, there is a connection to the inland waterways via the Van Harinxma Canal, and it is a beautiful town with a real seafaring feeling, including a very recognizable tidal scope. Waiting for the train bridge and town bridges to open up can take up to 30 minutes, but not more.
There is a much nicer and roomier marina in Amsterdam now, Amsterdam Marina (amsterdammarina.com). Newly built, great facilities. It’s a bit further from the centre, but 15min free ferry ride to the centre.
More detailed info regarding Standing Mast Route: http://www.varendoejesamen.nl/?language=en
A passport stamped with an entry into France (or any other Schengen Area country) does not negate the need to report your arrival into a different country, it only starts the clock ticking on your permitted length of stay in the Schengen Area.
Dutch formalities are a little unclear, we arrived in Rotterdam from Belguim via the MAAS and followed the VTS radio reporting rules as required reporting on each segment and requesting entry etc, see http://www.portofrotterdam.com.
we contacted the Harbour Master at Veerhaven before arrival and advised eta. Upon arrival and after berthing at Veerhaven spoke to HM and was advised no other formalities required. 1 hour later (7 pm Sunday evening) police launch arrived and had a good look at us from the cabin and 10 mins later 2 police officers arrived to advise us we had failed to report our arrival.
We were advised that Schengen formalities were not valid as we had arrived from the sea and although we had already cleared into France we needed to act as if we were arriving from international waters. We showed our passports with French EU entry stamps and French Customs inspection papers, this was apparently still not sufficient and another reporting was required although they were not able to tell us what.
We provided copies of all documentation and they advised that they would return if they needed any further information. they also advised that we would need to report to the HM at each port within the NL if we exited via sea eg Rotterdam to Scheveningen. We asked what documents or forms may be required or was there a website with such information and they advised us just to contact the HM on arrival.
We spoke to the Veerhaven HM again the next morning and he said he had no idea what they wanted and what we needed to do. as far as the triplicate customs forms and 1-year permit described above or any other papers at this stage no one seems to have any information on such documents.
Andrew s/v Katherine http://www.svkatherine.com