The Razende Bol (Noorderhaaks)

The sandbank Razende Bol (also called Noorderhaaks) lies in the North Sea, directly west of the Marsdiep. The high parts of the bank only flood during tidal floods. The bank is situated on territory belonging to the town of Texel. Texelaars (the people of Texel) usually refer to this sandbank as 'The Razende Bol'. The Navy and the Air Force perform exercises there. Seabirds and seals resort to it for peace and quiet. And when the weather is good, many tourists are found on the bank. In 2006, it was decided to close off part of the sandbank for the public, in particular to spare the 120 grey seals that rest there. The winter shooting practice of the navy was also postponed so that the grey seals with young would not be frightened.

A dynamic piece of the Netherlands

The Razende Bol has been left untouched by the Ministry of Public Works, which is quite exceptional for Dutch circumstances. The sandbank was created by water flowing out of the Marsdiep during low tide and running into the rising tide in the North Sea. The two currents neutralized each other allowing the sand to settle to the North Sea bottom.

These kinds of sandbanks slowly displace themselves in the direction of the flood current. A century ago, there was a different sandbank lying where now the Razende Bol lies, 'Onrust'. Onrust grew onto Texel in the beginning of the 20th century. The Razende Bol moves at a rate of around 100 meters per year, however it is still uncertain whether it will actually grow onto Texel. The current in the Molengat, the channel between Noorderhaaks and Texel, is still extremely strong and the distance between the bank and the island has not decreased in recent years. It seems more like the Bol will grow along the coast of Texel, in a northerly direction.

The Molengat is around 650 wide. Approximately, 400 meters is navigatible. Only boats with a shallow draught can pass through the Molengat. This means primarily fishing boats and rescue boats, which gratefully use this short-cut to the North Sea.

In order to protect Texel from erosion, landscape architect Lieneke van Campen devised a plan to cut the Razende Bol in half. By dredging a channel seven meters wide and raising the cut off piece with the sand from the channel, this part of the sandbank would attach itself to Texel within twenty years and make sand nourishments redundant.

Significance as nature area

The Razende Bol is an important, natural and relatively tranquil high-tide refuge. Animal species that are sensitive to disturbance from human activities can find refuge here, as long as there are no military practices taking place. Every year, a few extra grey seals are seen on the sandbank. In 1994, there were 8 animals, while in 2008 there was a permanent group of 40 to 50 animals. Even 10 harbour seals have found the sandbank for refuge. The harbour seals depart in the late spring and only return in the autumn. They give birth in the summer months elsewhere.

The first young grey seal was born on the sandbank in 2003. And in 2004, little terns were found making nests here.

Source: de Vleet, Ecomare