Location
The Hondsbossche Sluis is located on the west side of the Zaan in the old center of Zaandam. Address: Dam 1 D, 1506 BC, Zaandam.
On the east side of the Zaan is the Wilhelmina Sluis, intended for commercial shipping and larger ships. The Zaan pumping station and the harbor office are located between the two locks.
The lock can be reached from the north by sailing on the starboard side between the waiting posts for commercial vessels and the quay and passing the permanent underpass of the Beatrix Bridge.
The lock can be reached from the south by passing the permanent underpass of the Wilhelmina Bridge on the port side, in front of the Zaantheater.
Opening hours
The Hondsbossche Sluis is open from Good Friday to the autumn holidays from 09:00 to 18:00. For the schedule of the whole year: hier. The last passing of the day starts at approx. 5.45 pm. When the lock is in operation, this is indicated by signs with a single yellow diamond: take into account oncoming traffic under the passage of the fixed bridges. The flags next to the lock chamber will be raised.
When the lock is closed, pleasure craft are referred to the Wilhelmina lock. The flags next to the lock chamber are lowered when the lock is closed. The signs are attached to the fixed bridges on the north and south sides of the lock.
Dimensions
The lock chamber measures 28 x 5.1 metres. The threshold for the lock gates is 2.00 meters below canal level. The safe height for passing the fixed bridges is 2.90 meters above canal level.
Canal level
The canal level on the south side of the lock (Voorzaan) is NAP -0.40 metres. On the north side of the lock (Binnenzaan) the canal level is NAP -0.58 metres.
Zaan pumping station
When the pumping station is in operation, a strong current to the south is created on the north side of the lock. Passing the lock is not safe. The intake and discharge of water is indicated by three red warning lights. When those lights are on, the Hondsbossche Sluis is closed and there is no gunfire. The adjacent Wilhelminasluis remains in operation.
SERVICE
The lock is opened and closed manually. There are no operating lights and the lock keepers cannot be reached via VHF radio. If necessary, the lock keepers give verbal sailing instructions or indicate with hand gestures what is expected of the skipper.
Behavior in the lock
The order of arrival is the order of entering the lock, unless the lock keeper gives other instructions. In the lock chamber, the ship's engine must be turned off. Loud music is not allowed. Preferably use the ropes on both sides of the chamber to keep the ship in place; the currents are moderate.
Day jetty
The gate on the waiting and day jetty on the south side of the lock is open when the lock is in operation. When the lock is closed, mooring is not allowed at the day jetty. Spending the night at the jetty is not allowed. There are no facilities such as drinking water, shore power and toilets. The passerby jetties in the Voor- and Binnenzaan do have these facilities.
Sluice money
You can determine the amount of the compensation for the passage yourself. The voluntary contributions are used to support the team of lock keepers and minor maintenance of the lock. You can only pay in cash.
Alternatives for the Hondsbossche lock
The Wilhelmina lock (VHF channel 81), east of the Hondsbossche lock in the Zaan, is open all year round. The opening hours can be found on the site of the municipality of Zaandam .
An alternative route for the Zaan is the route between the North Sea Canal and Westknollendam: the Nauernasche Vaart. The operating times for the Schermersluis in Nauerna can be found at www.jachthavennauerna.nl
Topical: both the Zaan and the Nauernasche Vaart cannot be navigated with an upright mast due to the failure of two movable bridges. In the Zaan the maximum vertical clearance is 6.20 metres; in the Nauernasche canal 2.70 meters. This situation is expected to last the entire 2023 sailing season and perhaps longer.
Bridges in the Zaan
Up-to-date information about (the operation of) all bridges in the Zaan can be found at www.vaarweginformatie.nl
EN 
NL