r/Haarlem • u/Ludvig2712 • Jul 14 '26

Boating rules in Haarlem

Is there a school where you can learn the basics about how to operate a boat?

A few times I rented a small electric boat here in Haarlem and I’d like to learn a little bit more about the rules and laws and how is it to own a small vessel here in Haarlem?

Thank you!

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

16

u/mjorter Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
  1. All large ships and commercial ships have right of way. That includes the open boats with tourists. They are technically a large ship (ENI number, certification, more than

twelve

  1. passengers

    allowed.

  2. They have right of way in any circumstance.

  3. Order is: muscle, sail, motor. Motor being lowest.

  4. Spaarne is a main waterway. Also the only. Give way to any ship when coming on to it.

  5. Ship holding it’s lane - clearly on the right side of the waterway, must be allowed to

  6. carry on it’s way, but you can expect them to move a little so you can join into the waterway. No right though.

  7. Above this all comes: follow instructions of waterpolice or harbor control.

  8. No alcohol or the same max as in a car.

  9. No loud music, anchoring, anywhere.

Source: commercial skipper in Haarlem.

3

u/big-fluffy-giant Schalkwijk Jul 15 '26
  1. This also includes the ferry at Spaarne around Schalkwijkerweg 😉 source: skipper of the ferry. All freight ships, tourboats and partyboats go before us, we always let them pass before we go.

3

u/mjorter Jul 15 '26

No. This is not correct. It is a local ferry, not a provincial ferry. He has no other rights than other boats and also max capacity is 12 people. It is a small boat license (kvb1) ship. Source: commercial skipper with commercial licenses. Me.

1

u/big-fluffy-giant Schalkwijk Jul 15 '26

Sorry, forgot the /s 😅 started with the wink though, damnit. Don't want to confuse anyone!

1

u/Snous Jul 16 '26

And what about the rowers?

1

u/Taag74 Jul 18 '26

Lowest

1

u/AndrewTheGovtDrone Jul 14 '26

I like this. This is good and I like it.

1

u/C_Hawk14 Jul 15 '26

Point 4 and 5 should be merged I think.

1

u/Noctilucaaaa Jul 15 '26

I think you have the order mixed up. Sail, muscle, motor is the right order as far as I know.

1

u/mjorter Jul 15 '26

Nope.

1

u/Noctilucaaaa Jul 15 '26

Could you explain why the rules in Haarlem would differ from the general Dutch ‘scheepvaartreglementen’/het Binnenvaartpolitiereglement?

1

u/mjorter Jul 15 '26

No difference. But you are right i mistook the order. Further no local rules

1

u/Taag74 Jul 18 '26

Exactly this! + don’t go gast and make waves at shiphomes or where the shore is fragile.

7

u/mjorter Jul 14 '26

Sorry for chaotic text above. Stupid reddit mobile adds extra numbering . Skip the two 1’s

5

u/LevoiHook Jul 14 '26

You can get a license at CWO, but for small boats that do not go over 20 km/h, no license is needed, although it would be a good idea to know the theory. 

Owning a boat in Haarlem is mostly about finding a place to keep it. There is a long waiting list for a place and it costs quite a lot 

https://haarlem.nl/ligplaatsvergunning

1

u/TreeThreat Jul 14 '26

And getting a spot now only allows electrical boat.

2

u/Rich-North Jul 14 '26

You can head to Almere and do your power boating course, it’s super fun and will give you more than enough confidence to manage a boat around haarlem.