Germany
From CruisersWiki
GERMANY CRUISING GUIDE
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing along the coasts of Germany.
| Germany | |
 Germany | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Berlin |
|---|---|
| Language: | German |
| Currency: | Euro |
| Time Zone | UTC + 1, Summer Daylight saving time UTC + 2 |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
Cruising/sailing in the region.
The German Bight
The German Bight is one of the most challenging sailing areas. At the same time the sailor is confronted with tidal conditions, shallow depths, dence traffic on comparably narrow space and the for this area typical weather pattern of passing frontal systems. The coast lines are low and without significant structure and when sailing over safe depth 10 meters or more, the shoreline can indeed be miles away. The inshore areas are characterized by sandy shallows that can change rapidly.
Commercial traffic and Traffic Separation Schemes
The German Bight is a water of heavy commercial traffic coming in from the south western North Sea with destinations in the River Jade, Weser or Elbe (continuing through the Kiel Kanal at Brunsbüttel or to Europe's second biggest Port of Hamburg). To safely manage the dence traffic a huge system of Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) has been installed, starting with the TSS Dover Strait and adjacent waters, continuing in the Southern North Sea off the coast of Belgium and the Netherlands and splitting off into the Off Botney Grounds TSS and the West Frisian TSS, that unite at about 54°05'N, 004°20'E to the TSS German Bight Western Approach.
Another system of TSS is installed more inshore: the Off Texel TSS continues into the TSS Terschelling-German Bight. At the eastern end the TSS German Bight Western Approach and the TSS Tershelling-German Bight merge into the TSS Jade Approach and the TSS Elbe Approach.
It is strongly recommended to avoid these areas wherever possible – the crossing of all TSS has to be done according to Rule 10 ( c ) of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS): on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. You must keep in mind the wind and tidal impact and as the TSS in the German Bight are under constant radar surveillance it is more strongly advised to even keep a reasonable course by using the motor, if the ground speed falls below 3knots or this course cannot be obtained.
Between the chain of Frisian Islands and the TSS Terschelling-German Bight an Inshore Traffic Zone (ITZ) is installed between the northern End of Texel and the western End of Wangerooge. This zone should be used by incoming or outgoing yachts. Except in the River Ems approach there won't be any commercial traffic, exept local fishing, but that also at night.
When beating to windward it is no problem using the entire width of the ITZ, but make sure not to enter the TSS and on the shore side not to go beyond the 10 meter line: a good orientation are the lighted approach buoys for the marked fairways to the harbours of the East Frisian Islands. (Most of the buoys marking the fairways are not lit!). On stronger onshore winds it is even advisable to stay further out to avoid breaking seas.
There are marked inshore waterways behind the islands and the Wadden Sea that can be even used under stronger wind conditions, but they fall dry half of the time. This is a perfect sailing area for boats with variable or shallow draught, but keep to the watt chans marked with special withies and as most of these areas are National Parks, special rules apply. The parks are divided into 3 zones, whereas in Zone 1 (resting zone for wild life) drying out is not permittet. The zones are shown on the charts.
Climate & Weather
Submit the climate & general weather details here.
Sources of weather forecasting here.
Charts
Submit details of the charts required for safe navigation of the area.
- When motorsailing, a black cone (with its apex pointing downwards) must be displayed.
- Yachts must carry on board the German collision regulations (Seeschiffahrtsstrassenordnung) and the Kiel Canal Rules (obtained at the canal entrance)
- Children under 15 years may not steer any vessel under way in German waters. In certain rivers this minimum age is 21 or 23 (confirm locally).
- Motor vessels and (sometimes) sailing yachts require special permission to use some of the inland waterways.
Local Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Arrival/Departure procedures
- On arrival in (or departure from) Germany, you must clear both immigration and customs at a port that has a Bundespolizei Office. Phone their Head Office in Hamburg on +49 40 66995050 to check availability at your intended port of entry if that intended port is small.
- Fly the Q flag on arrival, unless arriving from an EU or Scandinavian country. Yachts arriving from a non-EU country must report to customs (Zoll) at one of the ports of entry.
- Kiel Canal - If passing through the Kiel Canal, but not visiting Germany, the 3rd substitute pennant must be flown. Laboe, at the entrance of the Kiel fjord, is the customs clearance point for yachts entering or leaving Germany via Kiel.
- No formalities are required for yachts arriving from, or departing for Poland.
Documents Required
- All crew's passports
- 2 crew lists - 1 will be stamped and must to be produced when checking out of Germany.
- Original vessel registration document
- Current insurance policy document
- Ship's radio licence
- A radio operator's certificate (held by a crewmember)
- Copy of the German ColRegs (Seeshiffahrtsstrassen-Ordnung) - (in German is OK)
- EU registered vessels must produce proof of VAT status
- The skipper's certificate of competence, if such certificate is required in skipper's home country.
Immigration
Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area.
Customs
- Duty-free stores must be declared on arrival
- Firearms and ammunition must be declared on arrival - these will be sealed on board.
- EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation of vessels.
- PETS: Animals are accepted if arriving under the Pet Travel Scheme(PETS) with a Pet Passport, current Health Certificate, current Rabies Vaccination and have been microchipped and blood tested by a recognised Veterinarian prior to entry.
Ports & Popular Stops
- Baltic:
- Flensburg (Port of entry)
- Heiligenhafen
- Kuhlungsborn
- Rostock (Warnemunde) (Port of entry)
- Rugen Island
- Stralsund (Port of entry)
- Travemunde (Lubeck) (Port of entry)
- Wismar (Port of entry)
- North Sea:
- Bremerhaven (Port of entry)
- Cuxhaven (Port of entry)
- Dornumer-Accumersiel
- Emden (Port of entry)
- Hamburg (Port of entry)
- Norddeich (Port of entry)
- Wilhelmshaven (Port of entry)
- Kiel Canal:
- Brunsbuttel (Port of entry)
- Kiel (Kieler Hafen) (Port of entry)
- Kiel Kanal
- Kiel-Holtenau
Offshore Islands
- East Frisian Islands:
- Borkum (Port of entry)
- Norderney (Port of entry)
- Wangerooge
- North Frisian Islands:
Restrictions
- Vessels built after 1980 and over 10.5m long and over 2.8m wide must be equipped with waste tanks. An exemption may be applied to foreign registered vessels on a visit to Germany for only one season.
- Strict anti-pollution regulations are in force throughout Germany, the Baltic Sea in particular. Garbage disposal is forbidden anywhere in the Baltic. Degradable foodstuff may only be disposed of overboard in excess of 12 miles offshore. Dispose garbage and used oils in the special containers provided in all ports.
Health
Submit any health warnings/information.
Security
Details?
Transportation
Transportation - mainland or to other countries, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on the Cruiser Log Forum
External Links
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
- 'Sejlerens' Marina Guide. This is a free of charge guide (in German and some texts in Danish) that is available in most marina's harbour masters offices. The 'volume' 4 covers most of the German harbours, marinas and landings along the North Sea and Baltis Sea shores. It does not replace a harbour pilot with its detailed information on navigation and on approaches but it contains chartlets and general information on the harbours, some general information and commercial advertisements connected to boating and tourism in the area. Please note, that not all harbours are covered, but this magazine type of publication provides a pretty good overview and there is a new issue every year.
- The Reeds Nautical Almanach Skagen to Gibraltar also covers the German harbours along the North Sea Shore line including the estuaries of the rivers Ems, Weser and Elbe. It contains passage information and has valuable information on tides, approaches and radio, it has chartlets of the harbours and it is in English. Unfortunately, it does not cover the Baltic Sea. There is a new edition every year.
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