playbook
Lock Practice in Amsterdam
An afternoon practising locks in the city. Mooring slowly, radio on, learning what the lock keeper asks.
3u
duration
€ 35–90
budget
Ground
pace
The first time I went through a lock, the lock keeper asked over the radio for my boat name and number of passengers. I didn't know my boat name (it was a rental, "Boat 47" or something), gave a different number and the man on the other end sighed. Ten minutes later I was sitting between two large cargo ships as the water dropped a metre.
Locks aren't difficult, but you need to know the ritual. Radio check-in, entering slowly, tied up along the wall, engine off, waiting until the water is level, sailing out slowly. An afternoon practising with a few locks in Amsterdam and you'll know what it's all about. After that you can handle any lock in the Netherlands.
Checklist
0 of 5
Marifoon aan, lokaal sluiskanaal
Vaarbewijs (sloep > 15m of > 20 km/u)
Twee touwen klaar (voor en achter)
Geen knopen in vasten
Sluis-volgorde gecheckt
Grote boten eerst
Bootnaam en aantal opvarenden paraat
Voor de sluiswachter
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by PlayTryBe team
Rent a small boat for three hours in Amsterdam. A dinghy with an outboard motor works best for practising.
55Switch on the VHF radio, on channel 16 plus the local lock channel. Ask the rental company which channel the locks on your route use.
Suggestion: Westerkeersluis is usually channel 18 in Amsterdam.Sail to the first lock. Half a kilometre before it: radio call. "Westerkeersluis, this is Sloep Mara, requesting passage through the lock."
Westerkeersluis, AmsterdamWait in front of the lock until the green light comes on. Don't push in, don't edge closer before you're called. The lock keeper can see you and will assign you a spot.
Enter slowly. Keep 30 cm of clearance from the side wall. A crew member climbs onto the wall (if there are ladders) or the step ledge, or attaches the line to the bollard. No knot, just a few wraps.
The lock gates close and the water starts to drop (or rise). The first time you feel very small in a large space, with the buildings suddenly seeming taller.
When the other light comes on: cast off the line, exit slowly. Don't give it throttle straight away, ease out gently first.
On to a second lock. Amstelsluizen is a great spot to practise. Repeat the ritual, but now you know what the steps are.
Amstelsluizen, AmsterdamA lock isn't difficult, it's a procedure. The same goes for most scary moments on the water. Knowing the procedure cuts 80 percent of the stress.
For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Do it on a weekday afternoon, there will be fewer boats in the lock.
- VHF radio on the local lock channel, ask the harbour authority which one.
- Keep lines ready fore and aft, no knots when making fast.
- Lock etiquette: large boats first, small boats in between. Don't push in.
Variations
- - Solo: een kleine sloep, makkelijker manoeuvreren in de sluis.
- - Met meer ervaring: een grotere kruiser, oefen op afmeren langs een hoge sluismuur.
- - In Utrecht: De Werfsluis is goed voor beginners, rustiger dan Amsterdam.