All boats entering Holland from a country other than a Schengen country must have registration, insurance, radio and operators certificates. They must also submit a Schengen form in triplicate on arrival at the port of entry.
Wherever you land, you must present the form to the local Harbour Master who will stamp it and if you ask him nicely he will fax it to the central immigration office at Vlissingen. Harbour Master's are normally extremely helpful but in the event of problems the telephone and fax numbers are detailed on the form.
If you land at a small port where there is no Harbour master, or he is not available, you have to telephone the Vlissingen office to announce your arrival.
If you are entering Holland from via Belgium, you can ask the Belgian border police to stamp one of your retained forms so that when you arrive in Holland you may present the stamped copy. It is not then necessary to fax a copy to the Vlissingen office.
Make sure you have spare forms on board in the event that you change crew. Revised forms with new crew names should be faxed (if possible) to the immigration office at Vlissingen. Harbour Master's should know the procedure and if you ask them nicely they will do it for you. Both sets of forms should be kept on board ready for inspection if required.
NOTE:
To view the Schengen Forms, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required.
If you do not have a copy, click on the Adobe Acrobat Reader logo
to download a free copy of the software
Ports of Entry
The official ports of entry are Vlissingen, Middelburg, Zierikzee and Conlijnsplaats.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
In both Dutch and Belgian waters, if your boat is British Registered and is neither longer than 15 metres nor capable of more than 20 kph, you do not need an ICC when cruising in Holland or Belgium. If your boat is longer than 15 metres and/or capable of more than 11 knots, you are required to hold an ICC.
The ICC is valid on rivers, lakes
and canals in Holland, whereas RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Practical
qualifications are acceptable everywhere.
Volume 1 ANWB Almanac
It is mandatory for all boats to carry a copy of the BPR Volume 1 ANMB almanac, obtainable from local chandlers on arrival. The book is only available in Dutch and hence it is recommended that you take the RYA Book of Euroregs for Inland Waterways with you.
Radios
If you have a radio fitted, you must observe the compulsory listening watches on the correct VHF channels at all times. Details can be found on local charts and in the ANWB almanac.
