Our detailed guide to European destinations
EU member?
Yes.
Visas?
No.
Ship’s papers
Ship’s registration papers.
You must carry a copy of the Binnenvaart Politiereglement, contained in the Almanak voor Watertoerisme, obtainable from www.ybw-books.com at £20. No English version is available.
Ship’s radio licence.
Crew papers
Passports.
On the Scheldt estuary, the Ijsselmeer, the Waddenzee, the Eems and the Dollard, the skipper will need an International Certificate of Competence and Day Skipper or Yachtmaster shorebased completion certificate.
VHF operator’s certificate.
Report to Customs?
Not if arriving from EU country.
If arriving from non-EU country, you must report on arrival and departure to Customs at a port of entry (see Macmillan Nautical Almanac for these).
Inland formalities
Boats capable of more than 10.8 knots must obtain a fast boat registration certificate “bewijs van registratie van een snelle motorboot” and display their registration number. To get your boat registered, visit a head post office on arrival in the Netherlands, taking with you proof of your identity and proof that you own the boat, plus your engine’s serial number(s). Once you know your number, display sticky-backed numbers around 6in high on both sides of the boat. For boats longer than 15m or capable of more than 11 knots, the skipper must hold the ICC. (See also crew papers above).
Diesel
Readily available.
Water
Readily available.
Shore power 220V AC
Available in many places.
LPG
Butagaz (usable with a special regulator) readily available.
Camping Gaz
Readily available.
Berthing fees
Less than UK.
Currency
Guilder or Dutch florin (100 cents).
Credit cards
Widely accepted. Can be used in cashpoints.
Eurocheques
Widely accepted.
Travellers cheques
Can change in banks.
Emergencies VHF
Coastguards at IJmuiden monitor Ch 16 and coordinate rescue. Good lifeboat coverage.
Emergencies phone
Ambulance 0611 or 112
Police 0611 or 112
Fire 0611 or 112
Pets?
Yes. According to the tourist board, no medical certificate is needed if direct from UK.
Telephone boxes
Use coins, and phonecards bought in post offices, newsagents, tobacco shops.
Dialling code to UK
0044 then the number, omitting the first 0.
Weather forecasts
BBC Radio 4 long wave, shipping forecasts and gale warnings for Thames area.
Trailing
Dimensions as UK, but load must not extend more than 20cm each side of trailer. Some narrow roads have width restriction of 2.20m.
Charts and books
Dutch charts recommended, both for coast and Frisian islands, and inland waterways. Available from chart agents in UK.
Macmillan Nautical Almanac.
Cruising Guide to the Netherlands. Brian Navin. Imray.
www.ybw-books.com
British Embassy
Lange Voorhout 10, The Hague, 2514 ED. Tel: 0031 427 0427. Visit www.britain.nl or email library@britain.nl
Tourist office in UK
Netherlands Board of Tourism, Eggington House, 25-28 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LD. Tel: 0906 871 7777. Calls are 60p per minute for a recorded message so try www.visitholland.com
Language:
Dutch. Most Dutch people speak excellent English.
September 2001
