This is due to recent decisions by the World Radio Conference (WRC ), which determines what radio channels are used for worldwide. From 1 January 2023, a number of things will change there and the channels previously used for radiotelephony will have to be moved to new ones. For the neighbouring area, this affects a total of twenty locations throughout the country. The changeover began at the end of September, so crews may find that a bridge or lock keeper no longer answers on the usual VHF channels, some of which are even marked on maps or almanacs, as these are now reserved for digital data traffic.
The external signage on bridges and locks has been replaced since 26 September, so the correct VHF channel is still visible to attentive users on the move.
The overview below shows which points are involved and when the channel will be changed. The corresponding Dutch change notification from Rijkswaterstaat is online here to find.
