Transportation

We have to be back on board at a certain time when our duty starts. Can you bring us back at a time to be determined by us?
Our free pick-up service is based on time slots which allows you to spend approximately 3 hours ashore so we determine the pick-up and return times to accommodate as many requests as possible during our opening hours. If you have a deadline to be back on board at a certain time, you need to mention that in advance (i.e. at your request for pick-up) so our host can see if such request can be fit in the schedule of time slots. We try to accommodate as much as possible but we cannot guarantee a certain time to be back on board as this also depends on traffic and other time slots already filled.

I want to go to the beach/Brielle/Rotterdam/The Hague/Amsterdam, can you arrange that?
Our free pick-up service only arranges transportation from your vessel at a terminal within our service area to ISC The Bridge at Oostvoorne and vice versa. From ISC The Bridge you can travel onwards with public transportation or a taxi at your own expense. We can only assist you with advice about public transportation or provide contact details of local taxi companies. Our free pick-up and return service is based on time slots which allows you to spend approximately 3 hours ashore. If you want to go further away from Oostvoorne and you miss your time-slot for return to the vessel, you have to arrange transportation yourself at your own expense.

How long does it take to travel to the beach/Brielle/Rotterdam/The Hague/Amsterdam?
Estimated times below (one-way only) are based on published time tables (public transportation) and distance travelled (car/taxi) and are subject to change in case of traffic jams, exceptional weather conditions or any other unforeseen circumstances.

How far is the nearest bus stop from ISC the Bridge?
The nearest bus stop is located at the street named ‘De Ruy’ which is within walking distance (less than 8 minutes) from ISC the Bridge.

Can you arrange a taxi for us?
If you want to arrange a taxi at your own expense, we can assist you with contact details of local taxi companies. Beware that a taxi driver needs to comply with ISPS requirements before he will be allowed access to the terminal so you either need to arrange that yourself via vessel’s agent or you need to contact a taxi company that has access to Ship2Port system so they can apply to the agent for approval themselves. On most terminals it is prohibited for crewmembers to walk from the berth to the gate so you need the taxi driver to pick you up from the gangway as the terminals don’t provide shuttle busses for crewmembers.

Facilities at Oostvoorne

What kind of shops are at Oostvoorne?
Oostvoorne is a small village with only a few kind of shops:

• Supermarket
• Department store
• Drugstore
• Bakery
• Candy shop
• Butcher
• Deli (cheese, chocolates, fruits & vegetables)
• Fresh Fish
• Book shop
• Flower shop
• Thrift store
• Optician
• Liquor store
• Hardware store

How far are the shops from ISC the Bridge?
Captioned shops are within walking distance (less than 8 minute walk) from ISC the Bridge with the exception of the hardware store which is about 2 kilometres away so about 25 minute walk (one-way).

What are the opening times of shops at Oostvoorne?
Most shops open at 9.00 and close at 17.00 or 17.30 with the exception of the supermarket and the hardware store that closes later (20.00 and 21.00)

Can I pay with USD in the Netherlands?
The local currency is Euro so shops do not accept USD. If possible within your company, we recommend for the master to arrange cash to master via local agents so crew going ashore can withdraw local currencies at a known exchange rate.

Is there an ATM at Oostvoorne?
Yes, within walking distance from ISC the Bridge there is an ATM (yellow). Provided you have a bank or credit card that is accepted, you can withdraw Euro’s from the ATM. Beware that there may be an additional fee from your bank if you withdraw a different currency.

Do shops at Oostvoorne accept bank card or credit card payment?
Most shops accept bank cards and some accept credit cards but not all types of creditcards are accepted. E.g. Visa or Master card are usually accepted but American Express not as much.

 Maestro bank card is commonly used and accepted

 Master card is commonly accepted when shops accept credit card payment

 Visa card is commonly accepted when shops accept credit card payment

Beware that there may be an additional fee from your bank if you pay in a different currency.

Which type of restaurants are at Oostvoorne?
 Oostvoorne is a small village with a few restaurants.

• Thai food
• Pizza & Pasta
• Döner & Shoarma
• Lunchroom (sandwiches, soup, salads, meat & fish)
• High tea (reservation only)
• Diner (soup, salads, meat & fish)
• Snackbar (french fries & snacks)

What are the opening times of restaurants at Oostvoorne?
Some restaurants are closed a few days a week but in general, restaurants open for lunch around 11.00. Lunchrooms/coffeeshops close between 17.00 and 18.00. Seated diners close around 22.00. Take-away restaurants usually close earlier, around 20.00 or 21.00.

I need to see a doctor/dentist or need a refill of prescribed medication, is that possible at Oostvoorne?
There is a doctor and a dentist and a pharmacy at Oostvoorne but they work on an appointment basis only and as a non-resident you cannot make an appointment just like Dutch residents do. In case of a medical situation, we recommend youto contact the master of your vessel and arrange an appointment via vessel’s agent as they are aware of local regulations and facilities for seafarers. In case a medical emergency happens to a seafarer while visiting ISC the Bridge, we will alert first aid responders and inform the vessel’s agent afterwards.

I want to visit a hairdresser, is that possible at Oostvoorne?
There are a few hairdressers at Oostvoorne but they usually work on an appointment basis only so you can always try and ask. If you are lucky and they are not that busy, you might be able to be get a haircut immediately.

Are there any tourist attractions at Oostvoorne?

• Local Church
  Plastered hall church originally dating from before 1349. Only remnants of the walls remained after the fire of 1607, after which the church was rebuilt in 1627 with support from the States of Holland. The church tower then received its onion-shaped spire. Between 1740 and 1770, the interior was modernized: a pulpit with a surrounding wall and the two remaining pews (Louis XV style), the two psalm boards (Louis XVI style), and the eight stained-glass windows from 1744/1745 (restored in 1908 and 1963) were added. The two rear windows were installed in 2000. At that time, the restored Bätz-Friedrichs organ – originally from the Bakenesserkerk in Haarlem – was also put into use. The local church is open for visitors of ISC the Bridge upon request.
• Remains of a castle
  Located in the middle of the village of Oostvoorne are the remains of medieval motte-and-bailey Burcht ‘Burcht van Voorne’, popularly known as the Jacobaburcht. This special monument is free to visit during opening hours from April 15 to October 31.
• Landgoed Mildenburg
  The Mildenburg Estate (30 acres) is located in Oostvoorne.  For centuries, residents strolled through the landscaped parkland. Straight avenues created a unique structure in the landscape. One of the many entrances to the park is just opposite the street where ISC the Bridge is located.
• Vogelobservatiehut Groene Strand
  Birdwatching Hut at the so called ‘Green Beach’ which is a nature reserve in Oostvoorne, covering an impressive 94 acres. This area consists of an old beach wall, valleys, thickets, a nature restoration project, and the ‘Oostvoornse meer’ (lake). The beach wall is an old stretch of beach and dune area where the ‘Maas’ River flowed into the sea. The river was dammed by two dams, creating a lake (Oostvoornse meer). 
  The banks quickly became overgrown with herbs and shrubs. This area is also covered with reeds, home to many songbirds and birds of prey. You can admire these birds through several observation screens in this area, for example, at the bird island in the lagoon. This is about a 2 kilometers walk from ISC the Bridge and on the way over there, you also pass ‘Koepel Zeeburg’.
• Koepel Zeeburg (replica)
  In the dunes of Oostvoorne, there once stood a small building belonging to the Zeeburgh manor, known as "the belvedere" because of its beautiful view. It was used by the board of the then Voorne water board. In 1732, a new, small stone building with an octagonal floor plan and dome was constructed in the dunes near Koepelweg. The new building was named Koepel Zeeburg. Like many structures along the North Sea coast, the Koepel was demolished in 1942 by order of the German occupying forces. The beautiful, striking building stood in the field of fire of the cannons that were part of the Atlantic Wall. 

      The dome was rebuilt in 2014. This is about a 1,2 kilometers walk from ISC the Bridge.