Binnenvaartmuseum

The Binnenvaartmuseum is housed in a former tugboat named René Siegfried, docked at Maasstraat 13 in Dordrecht. The vessel contains exhibits about inland waterway transport, navigation equipment, ship models, and the history of cargo movement along Dutch rivers.

The vessel was built in 1963 at a Dutch shipyard and worked as a tugboat for decades on local rivers. Its conversion into a museum in 2004 preserved this floating piece of transport history and now allows visitors to explore the ship's working past.

The museum tells the story of bargemen who spent their lives working and raising families on Dutch waterways. Through objects and documents on display, visitors learn about the daily routines, traditions, and close bonds these communities developed with their vessels.

The museum's tight ship quarters require visitors to move carefully and may challenge those with mobility concerns. Guided tours and educational programs are available, so it is worth checking current hours in advance to plan your visit.

Visitors can use a ship simulator to experience inland navigation authentically. The restored wheelhouse shows the actual equipment and controls that tugboat operators used during their work.