Sailing & Boating in the Netherlands: Licences & Boat Registration

Information on the rules on boat licences and sailing permits, the sea safety recommendations, maritime weather and more, with details of the ports and harbours and links to local sailing associations.

Boat ownership in Holland is high, estimated at around 1:64 per capita and this is not surprising as the coastline extends for some 451 Km, although boating is mostly confined to the sheltered inland waters where there are around 600 marinas.

The most popular places for watersports include the following:

The Frisian seas
The Plassengebied
The Southwest river delta
The Maasplassen
The Ijsselmeer
The North Sea
The Waddenzee
The Westerchelde

The wateralmanakken is a guide to waterways providing bridge and lock opening times, port information and general sailing regulations. It is published by the ANWB (motoring service) which also produces the waterkaarten, navigational charts. It provides contacts and advice for sailors.

Boating and sailing are popular inland and at sea. There are many sailing schools offering courses and instruction to all ages and levels.

See the AngloFILE Yacht Courses & Sailing Certificates

Amsterdam is sometimes referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’. Almost a quarter of the city is made up of waterways, canals and lakes. The city is situated on the IJ, an inlet of the IJsselmeer freshwater lake, and close to the North Sea, which means there are plenty of opportunities to sail.

Dutch Sailing Licences (vaarbewijzen)

All vessels over 15m or which are capable of speeds over 20 Km per hour must be driven by a holder of at least a small watercraft license (klein vaarbewijs).

There are two types of boat permit, one allows the holder to navigate rivers, canals and lakes and the other is for all inland waterways and open water.

For more information on the types of licences: Click here then click on Pleasure Craft and Questions and Answers

The Commissie Watersport Opleidingen (CWO) in co-operation with the ANWB regulates sailing diplomas and licences in the Netherlands. A CWO certificate acquired at a CWO sailing school is internationally recognised.

No licence is required to skipper a boat which is less than 15m in length and not capable of speeds over 20 Km per hour.

Sailing on the North Sea does not require a licence as long as the trip is not commercial.

Getting a Licence

Applicants must be 18 years or over and pass a medical examination. Applications are made to a CWO sailing school that will oversee the training and exam.

For more information on the small watercraft licences: Click here

Any watersport school can teach the rules of navigation and provide experience piloting a boat, then the exam is taken to obtain the licence.

It is imperative to have a licence appropriate to the vessel being driven, the Dutch water police may board a vessel and request to see the permit.

Other licences are required depending on the size of the boat or yacht being sailed and the speed at which it can travel, and whether it is travelling into another country.

For more information: Click here

International Permits Recognised in the Netherlands

Some foreign boating permits are recognised in the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat) has compiled a list of recognised foreign navigation licences.

To request an up to date copy of this list contact:

Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat
Tel: 070 314 7474
e-mail
Website

To obtain a licence in English that is recognised in the Netherlands see the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) of the United Kingdom.

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
At: RYA House, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire SO31 4YA United Kingdom
Tel: +44 238 060 4100 (for international calls)
Website

Registering a Boat or Yacht

It is not compulsory to register a small boat, however, there are advantages in doing so. As with cars and road vehicles, boats and yachts are registered with the RDW.

All boats that can travel at over 20 Km per hour must be registered.

For information on registering a boat: Click here (in English)
Further information can be found (in Dutch): Click here

Speed regulations

There are no speed limits on the larger rivers, the Ijsselmeer, open sea channels in Zeeland, the Waddenzee and coastal waters.

Restrictions on canals and lakes vary between five and nine knots.

In the western and northern areas of the country there are routes that can be accessed by yachts of any height, with no bridges at all. Contact the marina closest to the waterway in question to ask for information on height restrictions.

Safety

Emergency numbers
All Emergency Services	Tel: 112
Netherlands Coast Guard (Nederlandse Kustwacht)	Tel: 0900 0111
Maritime Rescue Service of the Netherlands (Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij)	Website

Sailing Events in Amsterdam

SAIL Amsterdam is one of the largest maritime events in the world. For four-day days every five years, tall ships and historical vessels moor at the eastern IJ harbour in Amsterdam. The event also includes small sailboat races, concerts by sailor choirs and re-enactments of naval battles.

For further information on SAIL Amsterdam, see the Iamsterdam website

Sailing Clubs & Watersports Centres

The RYC Hollandia is Holland’s Royal Yacht Club, which organises regattas and events across the Netherlands.

North Holland

ARZV (Alkmaarsche Roei-en ZeilVereeniging): Rowing, sailing and motor boating club in Alkmaar and Akersloot
Catamaran Club 7.2: Small active sailing association with annual social and sports events and competitions in Hargen aan Zee
Haarlemsche Jactclub: Haarlem yacht club
Koninklijke Watersport-Vereenging ‘Loosdrecht’: Royal watersports and sailing society organising youth sailing, classes and competitions
RZV Naarden: Association practicing and promoting sailing, rowing and motor boating in Naarden
Sint Maartengroep Amsterdam: Sailing club for 7 to 25 year olds near Amsterdamse Bos
WSV Het Witte Huis (HWH): One of the largest sailing associations in the Netherlands organising youth training, major events and HWH sailing competitions
WSV Schiphol: Schipol sailing association
WSV de Spiegel: Sailing competitions and instruction, rowing and watersports club in Nederhorst den Berg
WV Aalsmeer: Aalsmeer water sports club
WV Almere: Water sports club in Almere
WV Amsterdam: Amsterdam sailing and boating club near Amsterdamse bos
WV Monnickendam: Sailing club that organises events, competitions and youth training
WvOH (Watersportvereniging het Oosterlijk Havengebied): Watersports centre in the Oosterlijk Havengebied
Zeilvereeninging De Ondelinge: Sailing and motorboating organisation
ZV De Roerkoning: Sailing association organising lessons and competitions
ZVG (Zeilvereniging Gaasperplas): Recreational water sports club welcoming members of all ages in Amsterdam Zuidoost
ZWVU: Sailing and watersports association at the Zwaansmeerpolder Marina in Uitgeest

Utrecht, Flevoland and Gelderland

BVK (WSV De Blocq van Kuffeler): Almere yachting club organising trips and tours, youth sailing, meetings and seasonal activities
De Frisse Wind: Sailing activities and courses for members over the age of 16 based at Wolderwijd harbour
WV Bovenwater: Lelystad watersports association
WSV de Eendract: Sailing and watersports association based at Jachthaven de Nieuwe Haven
WSV De Nieuwe Schans: Gelderland sailing centre and club at Alphen aan de Maas
WSV Flevomare: Watersports association for all ages based at Marina Muiderzand
WSV Giesbeek: Watersports centre arranging surfing, sailing, motor boating and social activities
WSV VADA: Marina, canoeing, rowing and sailing activities in Wageningen
WV De Zuiderzee: Urk based watersports association
WV Flevo: Watersports centre at Harderwijk in Flevoland
WV Zeewolde: Flevoland sailing and watersports association
Zeilverenging Daan Fok: Secondary school sailing club with weekend sailing events in Amersfoort