When do you have to deal with the Maritime management law BES?
The Maritime management law BES stipulates rules for having or building structures in the sea. This could concern:
- Scaffolds and other constructions for example for the building of ships or for hospitality purposes
- Piers
- Breakwaters
- Floating, anchored buoys
- Beach expansion
What is allowed and what is not?
Because a lot of different sorts of structures are possible, it is not possible to stipulate in advance exactly what is, or is what is not allowed. After the petition for a permit, Rijkswaterstaat valuates – possibly based on an onsite inspection – whether your activities comply with the guidelines of the Maritime management law BES.
Shipping activities
In the Maritime management law BES is also stipulated what ships have to comply with at or around jetties, beaches and swimming locations. This could concern:
- The loading and unloading of materials
- Ship movements in the surroundings of the coast and scaffoldings, piers and breakwaters
- Mooring
For the loading and unloading of hazardous substances (on sea as well as between the sea and land by means of for example a pier or a scaffold) you need a permit of Rijkswaterstaat.
Waste and discharges
Ships may not discharge harmful or hazardous substances. If in any case a substance still ends up in the water, then you are obligated to notify this and also to clean up the discharge. If you do not do this, Rijkswaterstaat can proceed to apply enforcement, for example by imposing a fine, based on which you as offender will pay for the cleanup costs.
Other activities
Under the Maritime management BES, a permit of notification is also necessary for the following activities:
- Laying cables or pipes in or on the bottom of the sea (electricity and data cables, oil and fuel pipes, etc.)
- Scientific research (collecting water and bottom samples and researching archeological heritage)