The Kolksluis was reopened in Spaarndam today with a large boat parade. It was out of use for almost a year because the quays were in bad shape. They have since been replaced and the lock is now able to lock ships again.
Kolksluis in Spaarndam back in use – NH Nieuws
“We manage this lock for about fifteen years, after it has been idle for eighty years,” says Rik Stapel of the Kolksluis Foundation when he got off his boat and stood on the renovated quay. “During our regular underwater inspection, we saw that large flushing holes had formed in the quay walls. From time to time pieces of the quay collapsed. You must have just parked your car there, then it just disappears.”
For the replacement of the walls it was necessary to open the lock to fill with sandwhich naturally created a remarkable image in the village.
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Kolksluis Spaarndam is full of sand in connection with the restoration of quay walls – NH Nieuws
Stapel enjoys the day, but does not share his emotions easily. What was he thinking as he entered the lock? “That the ships would not collide.” Then a small smile: “Lock keepers are selected for sobriety, aren’t they.”
A lady beams about her day: “We left this morning at 11 am, we made two rounds with all kinds of residents and friends on board. It’s such a party, it turned out beautiful.”
She also thought it was a crazy sight, that lock full of sand. It wasn’t bad: “That was also very nice, it looked just like at the beach. But if I had to choose, this is much nicer.”
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Small disclaimer: immediately after today the lock will be closed again. That has to do with the dryness and the salinity in the Rhineland Boezem. When it rains again and the salinity is back up to standard, there will be artillery again.