More and larger ships are navigating the Upper, Lower and New Merwede. In time, this will result in a shortage of accommodation. To compensate for this shortage, Van den Herik-Strukton was commissioned by the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management to realize 4 overnight moorings in the Gorinchem port of refuge.

The work
For the realization of this project, we installed an anchored sheet pile wall and a cover gap. The location of the overnight moorings is next to a dike (primary barrier): here we reinforced the bank and bottom protection. In addition, a number of old mooring posts were removed and new ones installed. A floating jetty with a pontoon and footbridge was attached to the mooring posts. To ensure that ships can actually reach the new overnight moorings, the site was deepened by dredging approximately 60,000 m3.

Environmental management
The project took place near the inner city of Gorinchem. It was therefore important to minimize the nuisance and inconvenience to (waterway) road users and local residents. This was achieved through clear communication via information letters, walk-in consultations and the ConstructionApp. Concrete measures were also applied to limit vibrations and noise nuisance, such as adjusting working hours and the use of noise-reducing materials.

Rest safely and then move on
The result of the work is four safe overnight rest areas for inland navigation. The availability of enough of these rest areas along our waterways is of great importance. This allows boaters to adhere to the prescribed sailing and rest periods under the Inland Waterways Act. This is good for the health and rest of our boaters and important in preventing accidents on the waterways.