Useful information
What do you need to know?
At sea, you should always be well prepared. Check the information below to make sure you have everything you need for your trip!
What should you bring yourself?
Sleeping bag (unless you rent a duvet or have booked a co-sailing trip.) Pillow, pillowcase and fitted sheet are provided. towel (unless rented), toiletries, shoes with rubber soles, water- and windproof clothing (some tube water does come over). And beyond that: whatever you consider necessary. Put your luggage in an overnight bag or the like, suitcases take up a lot of space.
Proviands
Unless you have ordered catering or booked a co-sailing trip, you have to do your own shopping for meals. The ships have large refrigerators and small freezers on board. The Bree Sant has also had a pantry in the galley since 2025. There are supermarkets in all ports where you can do your shopping. It is advisable to always have food on board before the next day. We might not arrive in port until after closing time or we might anchor/dry at sea.
Drinks must also be purchased by yourself. There is a separate drinks fridge on the Spes Mea, but not yet on the Bree Sant. Both ships do have a beer tap. You can order a keg of beer from the skipper.
On board the ships, we only wash dishes and clean with biodegradable eco-friendly detergent. So you no longer need to bring any washing-up liquid or detergent! The crew makes sure it is present.
Berth Harlingen
The Spes Mea is berthed in the Zuiderhaven opposite house number 26.
The Bree Sant is berthed on the Nieuwe Willemkade opposite house number 8 (Het Brouwdok).
To Harlingen
If you come from a southern direction (A7), go as follows: on the N31 towards Harlingen.
Approaching from the east via the A31.
If travelling by public transport (train), you can get off at Harlingen Haven station. From there, it is a 5-minute walk for both ships.
Enter when using navigation devices:
Zuiderhaven 24, Harlingen (Spes Mea)
Nieuwe Willemkade 8, Harlingen (Bree Sant)
Parking
After putting your luggage on board, you can park your car. Your car can be parked at several long-term parking facilities.
For parking, there are several options, here are the top three:
- If you come for a weekend of sailing: park in the car park on Spoorstraat (off Steenhouwersstraat). Park your car there on Saturday morning and pay the maximum daily rate. (€10 Sunday is free). Within walking distance.
- All-in Parking, Oude Trekweg 86. costs €6 per day, including taxi to and from Zuiderhaven. Bring your luggage on board first, we will then arrange for all cars of the Spes Mea passengers to go to this location in one go.
- Bruine Vloot Parkeerplaats, Westerzeedijk next to the Aldi. Book 24 hours in advance via this site: https://www.parkerenharlingen.nl/parkeerlocaties/bruine-vlootKosten €7.25 per day. Within walking distance of the Spes.
For other options, see https://www.parkerenharlingen.nl/parkeerlocaties
Seasickness
The Wadden Sea is a calm inland sea where we generally sail between sandbanks. As a result, in our sailing area, we have little to do with high waves. Between the islands it is a bit different. We avoid these tidal inlets if the waves are too high. On the IJsselmeer, there is sometimes a nasty surge in strong winds, but it’s also fine for landlubbers.
In addition, sailing ships under sail are much more comfortable in the water and the movements the ship makes are more pleasant.
Still afraid of seasickness? Of course, you can always drop by your chemist. There are remedies available.
Security
Both vessels comply with all the requirements of the Inland Waterways Shipping Act. The CBB (Community Barge Certificate for Inland Barges) is available for inspection on board. In addition, various inspections are carried out periodically: Examples: Rigging inspection, liquid gas system inspection, fire alarm system inspection and fire extinguisher certificate.
There are approved inflatable life jackets on board for all sailors. In high winds (6 bft or more) we wear these vests but if you want to wear one with less wind, that’s fine. These life jackets are very comfortable to wear and inflate themselves if you unexpectedly hit the water. Fortunately, we have no experience of that.
For you as a guest, we ask you to board and disembark with care at all times. Even if you use the gangway.
Conditions BBZ/TCN
Your booking is subject to the general terms and conditions of the BBZ/TCN.
Your dog
You can bring your dog. However, it is important that you give notice. We are not supposed to take, say, 10 dogs on board. Dogs are not allowed off the Wadden Sea (sandbanks) and on the islands there are different regulations.
VRZ Travel Guarantee
To comply with the legally required guarantee, we use the VZR Garant guarantee scheme (www.vzr-garant.nl). You can check this via the participant page of the VZR Garant website. Within the limits of the Guarantee Scheme (found on the VZR Garant website), VZR Garant’s guarantee applies. The premium for this insurance is included in the rental price of the vessel. In the Guarantee Scheme, you can read which (travel) services are exactly covered by VZR Garant’s guarantee and what this guarantee entails.
If services are not provided due to financial insolvency of Spes Mea Zeilcharters, please contact VZR Garant, located at Torenallee 20, 5617 BC in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, at info@vzr-garant.nl or +31 (0)85 13 07 630.
Do you have questions?
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