For Wiebe Stevens, sailing on inland waterways is part of everyday life. Since 2013 he has worked in inland shipping, after first working as a fisherman. “I’ve basically never had to take a lunchbox to work,” he says with a wink. For the past three years, he has been sailing on the MTS Luuk, a vessel that has been equipped with Bridgescout® since 2017. “On some routes you only have thirty centimeters of clearance. Then you want to know exactly what you’re dealing with.”
On the Luuk, the system is still mounted midship. Not ideal, Wiebe admits: “It always measures the front mast, so sometimes you get a false alarm. You don’t see anything, but the system keeps warning you.” Still, he remains positive. “Of course it helps. The system shows whether you can pass underneath a bridge or not.”
Bridgescout® mainly offers him extra certainty when navigating under bridges. “On some stretches you only have thirty centimeters of clearance. Then you want to know what to expect. The system indicates that nicely, even though you ultimately always rely on yourself.”
User-friendly and accessible
According to Wiebe, the system is easy to use: “It has three buttons. Red means pay attention, green means good. Everyone understands that.” New colleagues are also familiar with it quickly. “You don’t need a computer course for it. It speaks for itself.”
Wiebe previously sailed on the Birjo, where the Bridgescout® is mounted on the side. “That works a bit better, because it’s not blocked by the mast.” Despite the less favourable position on the Luuk, he still sees the system as valuable. “With fog or snow, sometimes you see things that aren’t really there. It’s still technology. Better to be warned too early than too late.”
Part of daily navigation
When asked if he would recommend the system to fellow captains, he is clear: “Absolutely. It’s still a tool. Not a replacement for your own eyes, but something that can help prevent mistakes.” He sails the Luuk on varied routes – from the Rhine to the Meuse and the Elbe – and often encounters bridges with limited clearance. “Then it’s nice to have a system on board that keeps watch with you.”
About MTS Luuk
The Luuk is part of the fleet of RT Lloyd in Werkendam and sails for charterer ANACO. In addition to the Luuk, ships such as the Nikki, Silke, Essenza, and Orinoco are also equipped with Bridgescout®.
Want to know more about Bridgescout® or curious what it could mean for your vessel? Contact us at info@sensormaritime.com or call +31 (0)73 220 0454. We are happy to think along with you.