The maintenance of navigable waterways is costly. This is particularly true for those historic routes that are now used almost exclusively by pleasure craft - such as the Ems-Jade and Nordgeorgsfehn Canals. The responsible Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (NLKWN) has been faced with rising costs for years. After all, 15 locks and 74 bridges in the region have to be maintained and operated. In order to maintain the canals for boating tourism, a concept was developed to help with financing: the boat pass.
While there was still a price scale for the boat pass in the 2022 season, a standardised flat rate of 40 euros per boat now applies. The corresponding vignette on the starboard side of the boat's deck allows continuous navigation of the two East Frisian waterways during operating hours without additional fees.
Positive feedback on the boat pass
In addition to the NLWKN, the project partners include the State Motorboat Sports Association and the German Motor Yacht Association as well as various other associations and tourism organisations. The high demand and feedback from the clubs, as well as daily contact at the locks between Emden and Wilhelmshaven, have shown that the boat pass has been well received in the region, the associations summarised.
The new vignette, which must be clearly visible and attached to the starboard side of the driver's cab, is available 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. An additional four euros will be charged for insured postage if you purchase the brochure from the TWO and the RVS W-E.
Advantages for DMYV members
In the new season, water sports enthusiasts who are members of the DMYV or its affiliated Sport Boat Association (SBV) will also have the opportunity to sail on the waters included in the boat pass with their association flags. These are generally valid for two years and can be obtained from the relevant umbrella organisation for a postage fee of three euros. "In this case, the contribution of 40 euros per boat is paid by the association for its members," explains Helmut von Veen (DMYV).
