Amsterdam - It took a while, but it may soon again: the King Sloop is on the water. More than half a century after the "Golden Coach to water 'was last used thick and thirty years after he was included in the collection of the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Sloop has now completely ready to go.



According to Elisabeth Spits, who worked on the project and a book about the rowboat, it was an exceptional restoration. Exceptional, since it is not customary for a museum piece will be used normally. "That does not happen often: sometimes pick up something with gloves and other times you just use it. It can be a difficult balance. "

Still, Rush believes that the King Sloop will only be good. "Ships are more reliant upon its use. It is diametrically opposed to other museum objects: you can not sit on the globe, you can not use that service. But if you keep driving a boat, you have to take good care: it has to look tidy, not leaking, rotten wood must be removed. It is not a dead thing at the dock. "

The big question is only when and if the King Sloop will sail again. "I'm optimistic," says Rush. "Before the King Sloop was often used for a naval review, but which have now no more. The reception of a friendly royal couple would then, just like before. But I can also imagine that one opts for an anniversary, as did Wilhelmina when she was 40 years old queen. So maybe if Willem-Alexander five years is king? "

"We'll see each year now," closes Spits laughed off, "but there is obviously only one who makes the decision. The king must find a suitable moment, and then he is welcome." (NOS)