Good visibility prevailed in Rüsterbergen and there was practically no wind. The
starboard radar unit was set up for the pilot. It was operated in head-up mode at a
range of 0.5 nm and off-centre. The lubber line and resolution were reportedly
perfect. The canal passage was initially made at 12 km/h with a propeller pitch of
30%. It was known from the traffic report of the VTS that a waiting period of 10
minutes had to be reckoned with in the siding at Breiholz. Therefore, the speed was
reduced ahead of the siding so that Breiholz could be passed slowly and without
stopping.