The situation is not entirely clear, although there are also clear regulations and instructions from the Dutch government. Tourism is officially not permitted, and this also applies to leisure activities on the water, although this is not prohibited in principle. Small boats can still move around quite freely, but there are clear rules for larger yachts, which are interpreted differently by the individual provinces.
The law says that families with their own boats are allowed on board, as are small groups of up to three people, regardless of nationality. However, the provinces of Zeeland, the Rotterdam region, Hoek van Holland, Rockanje, Ouddorp and Haringvliet prohibit overnight stays on board, while others have no problem with this.
Smooth travel on the waterways and canals, with the exception of the inland seas and sea waterways, is hardly possible anyway, as there are various barriers that prevent traffic from flowing smoothly.
For example, depending on the province, locks and bridges are either completely closed and only open for rush hour traffic, or the winter traffic regulations apply, according to which the use of bridges/locks must be announced three days in advance, which requires fairly precise planning and significantly restricts mobility.
In Friesland, for example, you can occasionally find manned bridge cabins, simply because the keepers are paid by the municipality anyway and can guarantee almost normal operation from 9 am to 5 pm. Other provinces, on the other hand, insist on the three-day rule and only work by appointment.
In addition, the majority of marinas are completely closed, or at least toilets and showers are not in operation. If you have both on board, you are independent here anyway, and you can still empty your faeces tank at the relevant stations using the automatic machines. If you are planning longer trips, you should calculate your fuel consumption carefully, as most of the petrol stations are closed along with the marinas.
If you are too generous with your calculations, you will soon be making a pilgrimage to the nearest petrol station with your canister, if there is one within reach.
Restaurants and cafés are also closed everywhere in the Netherlands, but the supermarkets are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., so that at least the crew's catering is guaranteed. Only EC cards are accepted for payment and it is compulsory to sanitise shopping trolleys and hands.
Charterers still have the option of chartering a yacht from a company if it is prepared to hire out a vessel under these circumstances. Some do so with restrictions, others have completely closed down their operations. Only the skipper is allowed on board for instruction, and the distance to the skipper should be at least 1.5 metres.
The financial loss for the charter industry is enormous and will be impossible to make up this year, leaving countless charter fleets moored and bobbing along in many Dutch harbours. A return to more or less normal conditions is not expected before the middle/end of June, but there is scepticism as to whether the big run on charter ships will start immediately. Realistically, hopes are pinned on 2021. Anyone who has already booked this year and paid a deposit will usually get it back or a voucher for a reservation next year.
So if you are planning to sail through the Netherlands on your own keel, you need to plan your trip properly in advance, find out about the latest regulations in the country itself before you set off, and also check whether you are subject to the return travel requirements of your country as an EU national (German) so that you don't end up being forced into a 14-day quarantine.
