Lock Eefde

The situation called for a quick solution. First, an inspection of the lock gate was carried out. It revealed that the lock itself was virtually undamaged. However, the operating mechanism was destroyed by the fall.

In collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat and the main contractor for the repair work, Wagenborg Engineering developed a solution to temporarily operate the lock gate. This solution had to be operational within 3 weeks. 

To get the lock back into (temporary) operation as soon as possible, they came up with a two-pronged solution.

First of all, a 400-tonne crawler crane could be used to move the lock gate up and down.

In addition, a method to secure the lock gate during the lifting operation using thick steel pins was developed. In the unlikely event of a problem with the crane during a lock gate hoisting operation, the lock gate could be secured to ensure safe passage of vessels. 

The engineering, development and erection of the large crawler crane and the mast construction took about 2 weeks. More than fifty heavy trucks were needed to supply the necessary equipment.

It was freezing and the Twentekanaal froze. With a solution so close, the vessels that were jammed were now in danger of becoming frozen in the ice.

But Wagenborg wouldn't be Wagenborg if they didn't come up with a solution. The Waterpoort icebreaker of Wagenborg Towage was called in to help make the shipping route in the Twentekanaal passable again.

After three weeks the time had come: the temporary lifting device at the lock in Eefde was put into operation. The employees of Wagenborg Nedlift gave the Nautictrans permission to be the first to pass.

Within two days, all jammed vessels were able to leave the Twentekanaal and shipping traffic to the Twente region had started moving again. The lock was operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using the temporary lifting construction.

In the meantime, the repairs to the lock building continued and after about 7 weeks lock Eefde was operational as before.