Harlingen and the Wadden Sea: boating safety
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Harlingen is a Frisian port on the Wadden Sea and a common base for sailing to the Wadden Islands; it can also be reached from the Frisian inland waterways. The Wadden Sea is a tidal area where large sand and mud banks dry out at low water, and it is a protected nature area (UNESCO World Heritage, Natura 2000).
Netherlands: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →
Harbour and marinas
Port of Harlingen: VHF 11, phone +31 (0)517 723 333. Shipping in the western Wadden Sea is guided by Rijkswaterstaat's Brandaris traffic centre on Terschelling: VHF 02 (traffic centre) or VHF 04 (Wadden Sea reporting post), phone 088 797 45 99.
Port of Harlingen (municipal port company) · Rijkswaterstaat · Rijkswaterstaat ▾
Leisure craft may not moor at commercial berths in Harlingen; use the marinas and visitor berths on the inner waters. The locks are worked in consultation because of the tides; call the duty bridge and lock keeper on VHF 11 or 06-53 75 25 87.
Port of Harlingen (municipal port company) · Port of Harlingen (municipal port company) ▾
Weather
The Coastguard (Kustwacht) broadcasts the weather on VHF channels 23 and 83 at 08:05, 13:05, 19:05 and 23:05 Dutch local time. The KNMI VHF forecast covers Dutch coastal waters and the adjoining lakes and estuaries.
Kustwacht Nederland · Kustwacht Nederland · KNMI ▾
Local rules
Fast motorboats (under 20 m, able to exceed 20 km/h) are limited to 20 km/h unless signs say otherwise, and need the Klein Vaarbewijs part 2 licence on the Wadden Sea.
Rijkswaterstaat · Rijkswaterstaat ▾
Hazards
Large parts of the mud and sand banks dry out at low water and are covered again at high water.
Rijkswaterstaat · Rijkswaterstaat ▾
On the Wadden Sea, recreation areas are marked with yellow buoys.
Rijkswaterstaat ▾
Hospital and medical
Frisius MC Leeuwarden (Henri Dunantweg 2, route 43) has an Emergency Department (SEH). Without a GP referral you can go there directly only in life-threatening situations.
Frisius MC · Frisius MC ▾
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Harlingen and the Wadden Sea?
Call JRCC Den Helder on +31 88 958 4040. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
How do I contact the harbour in Harlingen and the Wadden Sea?
Port of Harlingen: VHF 11, phone +31 (0)517 723 333. Shipping in the western Wadden Sea is guided by Rijkswaterstaat's Brandaris traffic centre on Terschelling: VHF 02 (traffic centre) or VHF 04 (Wadden Sea reporting post), phone 088 797 45 99.
Where do I get the marine forecast for Harlingen and the Wadden Sea?
The Coastguard (Kustwacht) broadcasts the weather on VHF channels 23 and 83 at 08:05, 13:05, 19:05 and 23:05 Dutch local time. The KNMI VHF forecast covers Dutch coastal waters and the adjoining lakes and estuaries.
Read before you sail
Nearby destinations
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