Hard-a-port
I've occasionally been lucky enough to take the helm of canal narrowboats. So I was mightily impressed to see how well the helmsman of Alfons Marie negotiated two 90 degree plus a draw bridge within just a couple of hundred metres.
The main photo shows the barge leaving the raised bridge and passing in front of Sneek's Waterpoort. This was erected in 1613 to connect city and harbour. It formed part of the city's defensive walls, but when large parts of these were demolished in the early 18th century, it was fortunately decided to leave the Waterpoort intact.
One of the photos below shows Alfons Marie approaching the draw bridge having made a 90 degree starboard turn. The other photo shows how she has completed a 90 degree turn to port having successfully negotiated the narrow passage.
The basin may look large but with so many other craft around in high season, this was far from a simple manoeuvre for such a large vessel!
Hard-a-port
I've occasionally been lucky enough to take the helm of canal narrowboats. So I was mightily impressed to see how well the helmsman of Alfons Marie negotiated two 90 degree plus a draw bridge within just a couple of hundred metres.
The main photo shows the barge leaving the raised bridge and passing in front of Sneek's Waterpoort. This was erected in 1613 to connect city and harbour. It formed part of the city's defensive walls, but when large parts of these were demolished in the early 18th century, it was fortunately decided to leave the Waterpoort intact.
One of the photos below shows Alfons Marie approaching the draw bridge having made a 90 degree starboard turn. The other photo shows how she has completed a 90 degree turn to port having successfully negotiated the narrow passage.
The basin may look large but with so many other craft around in high season, this was far from a simple manoeuvre for such a large vessel!