Overview
- A vessel struck and displaced a lock door at Haveltersluis during a schutting operation on May 23, causing damage to the ship and stopping traffic through the Drentsche Hoofdvaart.
- Repair crews used a crane that evening to lift and remove the affected door and the N371 between Havelte and Meppel was temporarily closed to allow the work.
- Authorities reported the Haveltersluis was usable again on May 24, but provincial officials say they are still mapping damage and have not confirmed whether the fix is final.
- Separately, major maintenance on the Norgerbrug that began in November 2025 remains in force and has been pushed to at least the end of August 2026 because of deeper-than-expected ground and a protected swallow nesting.
- The combined lock incident and the prolonged Norgerbrug closure are constraining the Drentsche Hoofdvaart during the holiday boating season, forcing longer routes for pleasure boaters and drawing complaints about limited provincial communication.