For the past three years, they have been seen more frequently on pleasure craft in Lower Saxony: The vignette on the starboard side of the boat's deck authorises unlimited use of the locks and bridges of the Ems-Jade Canal and the Nordgeorgsfehn Canal. The flat-rate solution for using the popular East Frisian leisure waters costs 40 euros. Individual billing per lock (six euros) is still possible.
New "togetherness" among water sports enthusiasts
In total, over 4,400 lock operations were carried out at the Kesselschleuse lock in Emden alone in the 2024 season. The flat-rate offer leads to less bureaucracy and a simplification of processes at the locks. In addition to the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (NLKWN), the project partners include the State Motorboat Sports Association and the German Motor Yacht Association as well as various other associations and tourism organisations. According to the organisers, a three-digit number of "boat pass" vignettes were sold between Emden and Wilhelmshaven last year. The boat pass has also contributed to a new "sense of unity" among water sports enthusiasts in the region: "As part of the efforts surrounding the boat pass, water sports enthusiasts, associations, tourism organisations and infrastructure operators have moved closer together. The goals of a fair and user-friendly package option for all sides and the associated increase in the attractiveness of the region as a water sports destination have led us on a common course.
Where to buy the boat pass
The high demand and positive feedback from all those involved has prompted the institutions and associations to continue the offer in the 2025 season. The vignettes for the coming water sports season, which must once again be clearly visible to the lock keepers and attached to the starboard side of the driver's cab, have already been printed. They have been available since 10 February from Team Wassersport Ostfriesland (contact: André Grünebast, two-gruenebast@gmx.de), the Regional Association Sailing Weser-Ems (contact: hans.hueser@gmail.com) and at the tourist information centres in Emden, Wilhelmshaven, Friedeburg and Leer.
Free of charge for DMYV members
The German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) continues to cover all costs for its members (and members of the Sport Boat Association (SBV)) for sailing on the Ems-Jade Canal and Nordgeorgsfehn Canal as well as the Elbe-Weser shipping route. Proof of membership is provided by a flag (to be ordered by members from the DMYV).
The offer is used even less by guests from outside the water sports area, who can obtain the boat pass from the tourist information centres. According to the associations, there is room for improvement. "We will address this issue in 2025 with additional marketing and communication measures and also think beyond the state border," says Imke Wemken, Head of Ostfriesland Tourismus GmbH.
Boat pass to help finance operating costs
The maintenance of navigable waterways is costly. This is particularly true for historic routes, which are now used almost exclusively by pleasure craft. As the operator of the canal network, the NLKWN has been faced with rising costs for years. 15 locks and 74 bridges in the region have to be maintained and operated. The boat pass was intended to help finance and maintain the canals for boating tourism. "The goal of better cost recovery set as part of the project was almost achieved last year [...]," summarises Axel Daubenspeck from the NLWKN in Aurich.
