The Mijndense lock
Always busy and always boats pushing ahead. Certainly amusing to see from the side, less fun if you use the lock with your boat.
Lovely old fashioned situation in a beautiful historic place. The bridge operator on duty has increased the number of boats to be secured, so if the bridge has to be opened, it will be a relatively long wait. I didn't take a picture, because it would only have resulted in the backs and caps of other waiting cyclists. When after more than fifteen minutes the road traffic started again, there was an old-fashioned tolerance towards those who had a little more trouble getting started. In short, the Mijndense Sluis was also a cherry on our Sunday afternoon cake today.
The Mijndense lock is located between the Western Drecht and the Vecht, south of Loenen aan de Vecht.
This lock is the main entrance to the Loosdrechtse Plassen.
The lock was completely renovated and enlarged in 1993. The lock and the bridge located in front of it are operated.
The number of passing ships is approximately 20,000 per year.
Depth: 1.90 m; chamber length: 50m; chamber width: 8m; passage width: 7m.
NB the lock is curved, which means that the extreme dimensions cannot be used by a single vessel.
Priority arrangement
When passing through the lock, commercial shipping can be given priority over recreational shipping in accordance with established guidelines.
The main provisions of this priority arrangement are:
1. On the grounds of safety and the smooth running of shipping, the Plassenschap may grant the right of priority in the case of a fencing by the Mijndense Sluis to:
a. ships with a length of 20 m or more, which also
b. fulfill an economic function.
2. The right to priority only applies during the period from 1 May to 15 September.
3. Vessels that wish to exercise the right of way granted must carry the red pennant at such a height that it is clearly visible when approaching the lock.