Kormoran
Friesland Boating rents its ships from Koudum and Sneek. Renting a boat is not complicated but it is nice to know that we have thought about everything. What you should take into account during your holiday on the water, what you should bring with you, whether you need a navigation licence, what is a mandatory contribution,... you can read all about this on this page. Should you still have any questions or doubts, please send a message to info@friesland-boating.nl or call +31 (0) 514 522607. 

General water traffic rules

Each year many tourists visit Friesland and Overijssel to enjoy our superb water sports districts. Especially during the busy high season, yachtsmen should watch out for each another. Traffic rules apply to yachtsmen sailing the waters, just like traffic rules apply to road users.

Rules in short for our customers of Friesland Boating:

  • Do not suddenly change course
  • Make sure you have a good view all around, regularly check the water traffic behind you
  • Use the correct navigation lights in time
  • Do not drop anchor near bridges, locks, anchored operational vessels or in the middle of waterways
  • Do not ply against the wind on busy courses of navigation and keep the middle clear for larger ships
  • A boat licence is compulsory for operating motorboats and vesseld longer than 15 m.
  • Swimming in fairways or near bridges, locks and waiting areas is not allowed
  • Minimum age for skippers: -speedboats: 18 years old, -motorboats, large ships and sailing boats longer than 7 m.: 16 years old, - open motor boats, not able to run faster than 13 km/h and shorter than 7 m.: 12 years old, -small sailing boats shorter than 7 m. and small rowing boats: no minimum age.
  • Stay away from fishing nets, these are often marked with black or yellow flags, or with a green/white diamond sign, the green side being the safe side to pass
  • Don't drink on the boat. The legal limit for skippers is 0,8 pro mille. The water police are out there to check and the fines are substantial!
  • Do not disturb the tranquillity of natural and residental areas

For more detailed information on boating rules, please read the Inland Waterways Police Regulations and the Waterways Regulations Fryslan.

Speeding is not necessary and can be a nuisance to other water sports enthusiasts. A speed limit of 9 or 7 km/h is in force on most of Fryslan's waterways. In ports and built-up areas the speed limit is 6 km/h. The only exceptions are the Van Harinxma Canal and the Princess Margriet Canal, the speed limit on these canals is 12,5 km/h

Some give-way rules

  • Smaller ships (shorter than 20 m) must give way to larger ships, passenger ships, ferries and tugboats.
  • When leaving a mooring place, a small boat may require and demand the help of another small boat.
  • Ships entering the main channel from outside a concrete channel or from a secondary waterway must give way to any ships sailing on the main waterway on starboard.