1
The trip to Terschelling led through the Slenk for years. This is still the case, but there is now an alternative: the Schuitengat. The reactivated fairway currently has a depth of 70 centimetres at LAT. This means that most water sports enthusiasts can pass through at around half tide, depending on the draught.
The passage is marked with yellow buoys, in the Vliestrom the entrance is marked with the north cardinal buoy "SG-N".
2
The harbour of Schiermonnikoogis currently being dredged. A new method called water injection is being used for this purpose. The result is still unclear. The aim is to reach around 30 centimetres above LAT. Due to stricter environmental regulations, the usual dredging and dumping on the Waddenzee was no longer possible.
3
Noordpolderzeil harbour: The smallest tidal harbour in the Netherlands has been struggling with silting for years. There is currently no dredging, which means that even at high tide the harbour is only navigable for very small boats. The creation of a flushing lake, such as in Nessmersiel, is now being considered.
4
Makkum lagoon: In order to minimise the impact of the potential wind farm off the coast, a consortium of companies is planning to create three islands off the coast of Makkum. They are to be left to their own devices and will not be accessible.
Nevertheless, they are interesting for water sports enthusiasts, as they create a protected anchoring area to the west.
5
The Den Oever lock will be closed to all shipping from 5 September to 16 October for maintenance work.
6
Wind farms in the IJsselmeer: If all the hurdles are overcome, a large wind farm with 89 turbines will be built around six nautical miles off Makkum by 2020. The sister farm along the dyke between Urk and Lemmer is already complete. It will be opened to traffic in the next few weeks. The lower edge of the rotor blades is 40 metres above water level.
7
The fairway to Workum has been dredged again. What is missing is a permanent solution. Water sports entrepreneurs from the surrounding area are therefore endeavouring to find a dyke solution. It has been helping to reduce silting on the south side of the entrance for a long time. Now a similar dyke is to be built to the north of the narrow channel.
8
The buoyage in the IJsselmeer has changed: Off Stavoren, the "VZ-W" and "VZ-Z" have been withdrawn, as has the marking of the 1.5 metre line at Vrouwezand. The "SB-Z" is now missing off Lemmer. The cardinal buoyage is replaced by a lateral system with red buoys towards Lemmer and green buoys off Stavoren. At the position of the "VZ-W" there is now a fairway separation with the designation "ST 1/SB 2".
9
Payment machines take over the job of harbour master along the canals in the centre of Lemmer. You can pay your mooring fee and top up your service card for the use of electricity, water and showers. Payment
by EC or credit card.
10
The Rijkswaterstaat, the highest waterway authority in the Netherlands, wants to create more fairways for recreational boating in the future. They are located outside the normal traffic routes and are marked with red and green and white buoys. The focus will be on the Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer.
11
New in the Binnenvaart Politie regulations: These are mostly changes for commercial shipping. However, it is now also sufficient to carry the prescribed "Marifonie" manual on board in digital form. In addition, ships with anchor poles may only use them in designated areas.
12
On the Markermeer South of Enkhuizen, the authorities have removed 700 metres of illegal nets. They were a problem because more and more yachts were getting stuck in them due to a lack of the prescribed markings.
Increased attention is still required, as there is no certainty that all nets have been removed.
13
South of the Houtribdijk the first islands of the Markerwadden have been under construction since March 2016. Navigation is prohibited in the area of the works. Initially, 250 hectares of island land will be reclaimed. They are to be given a marina and a visitor centre.
14
On the canals of Amsterdam two-stroke engines will no longer be permitted from 2017. Scooters may continue to produce blue clouds on land.
15
The aqueduct on the Vecht is the largest in Europe. 194 metres long and 65 metres wide, it will lead one of the busiest motorways in the Netherlands across the river. It will be completed at the end of 2016, when even sailing yachts will be able to enter the river at any time. Until then, skippers must adhere to the opening hours of the motorway bridge.
16
Between Muiden and Naarden the Naardertrekvaart is extended. A connection to the Gooimeer is created in Naarden. This will allow smaller boats to access the sheltered Randmeeren without having to cross the southern part of the Markermeer. Construction is due to start in 2016 and the connection should be completed in 2020.
17
The petrol station network where biodiesel-free GTL (gas-to-liquid) can be refuelled is growing. An overview can be found at www.gtl.nu/locaties
18
The marina in Cadzand with 150 berths opens in August. The delay is due to the extensive construction work on the coastal defences.
