Although pretty uneventful it was a beautiful sail through lovely countryside where huge windmills prevail over the landscape. It was simply too hot to go into a harbour so we decided to anchor for the night just outside the channel to the east of the krammer locks.
The Krammer Lock (Krammersluizen)
Krammersluizen (Krammer Locks) is a large and strategically important lock complex located in the south-western part of the Netherlands. It connects the Krammer (part of the Delta Works system) to the Volkerak, and serves as a key junction between the provinces of Zeeland and South Holland.
Key Facts:
- Location: Between the islands of Goeree-Overflakkee and Sint Philipsland.
- Purpose: The locks manage both shipping traffic and water levels between salt and freshwater bodies, as part of the Delta Works water control system.
- Opened: The complex was completed and opened in the late 1970s, as part of the larger Delta Works infrastructure project following the North Sea Flood of 1953.
Features:
- Navigation Locks: There are two large shipping locks, which allow both commercial and recreational vessels to pass between the Krammer and the Volkerak. The locks can accommodate large inland vessels.
- Fish Passage: A fish passage system was later added to allow for ecological continuity and improve aquatic biodiversity.
- Road Bridge: The N257 road crosses the lock complex, including a movable bridge that opens for passing vessels.
- Tidal Barrier: The Krammersluizen also function as a barrier between tidal saltwater and controlled freshwater systems, helping to maintain salinity levels inland.
Role in the Delta Works:
- The Krammersluizen are a vital link in the Delta Works, a series of dams, locks, sluices, and storm surge barriers designed to protect the Netherlands from flooding from the sea.
- They form part of the Volkerak-Zoommeer water system, which is used for water storage, transport, recreation, and nature conservation.
Recreational Use:
- The area around the Krammersluizen is popular for boating, cycling, and fishing.
- Due to their strategic location, the locks are regularly used by pleasure craft heading between Zeeland and South Holland via the inland waterways.
The Krammer Lock is something to note: if your mast height is 18M or more you cannot use the yacht lock. You have to go through the main commercial lock using the North lock. Simply call them up on channel 22, they speak perfect English and are very helpful.
This is where you go from salt water to freshwater again, only this time the lock sucks out (filters) all the salt water and replaces it with freshwater so as not to contaminate the freshwater lakes with salt. It takes quite a while so when you start thinking why is this taking so long, well now you know!
Although there was little or no wind during the day, we were treated to a colossal thunder and lightning show in the evening with sheet lightning going on for a few hours. Wind increased for a while which was great as the wind generator topped up our batteries.
Cost 0 euros – BONUS!
Note: Although it’s a nice anchor spot it is a bit rocky rolly as this is a busy thoroughfare for barges so the wash from them can be a bit annoying. It does go on through the night to a much lesser degree.