PHOTO of the Vlieland dike reinforcement project

To protect the Netherlands from rising water, its many dikes must meet national water safety requirements.

This applies to all flood defenses, from southern Zeeland to the northern Wadden Islands.

One of the dikes that needs to be upgraded to become future-proof is the Omringdijk on the island of Vlieland. This dike is being reinforced as part of Rijkswaterstaat’s High Water Protection Program – the largest Dutch dike reinforcement operation since the Delta Works.

The lifeline for the work consists of a temporary unloading quay, which is constructed of sand and crushed rock, and the pontoon MP44 which is connected to our hopper barge Stier, which means bull in English.

With the Stier, Boskalis brings sand, clay, rock, basalt and concrete columns to the dike, after which the company utilizes dry earthmoving equipment to process the sand and clay and install the rocks for the dike revetment.

Once the work is completed, the dike will be able to withstand the sea water for the next fifty years.