Baltic Sea / Schlei: Bridge disaster in Kappeln: Closure until 22 April

Update from 08.04.2022:

Closure of the Schleibrücke bridge in Kappeln until at least 22.04.22

This is likely to spoil the start of the season for many sailors: The WSA announced today that the bridge over the Schlei cannot be raised until at least 22 April 2022. However, it will still be possible to pass under the unlifted bridge. However, the clearance height at mean water level is only 3.50 metres.

"Even with the mast down, not everyone can get through," confirms Mareike Optitz from Mittelmann's Werft in Kappeln. Her shipyard is located in the Schlei behind the bridge. Winter berth holders there cannot transfer their ships to other summer berths, and those who have their seasonal berth in the Schlei have to stay outside for the time being. For the shipyards in the Schlei, however, the closure brings with it other problems: "We have plenty of orders from customers who wanted to come to us with their boats especially for this. We can't fulfil them for the time being," reports Mareike Opitz.

It is not yet clear whether the forced break will really come to an end on 22 April, as the WSA continues: "If there are delays in the work, there may also be disruptions to shipping in the following week."

Update from 21/03/2022:

A new announcement by WSA Ostee indicates a new, shorter period during which the bascule bridge in Kappeln will not be raised due to construction work, namely from4 to 8 April. In this new BfS 75/22 it says:

"Due to repair work, the bascule bridge in Kappeln cannot be lifted from 4 to 8 April 2022. If there are delays in the work, there may also be disruptions to shipping in the following week. Passage under the non-lifted bridge is possible at all times. Shipping is hereby requested to navigate the aforementioned area with appropriate caution. Adverse circumstances may necessitate a change of date at short notice. The above-mentioned BfS 63/22 is hereby cancelled.

YACHT online message from 10 March:

The restrictions on the Schlei are not limited to the construction work on the Lindaunis Bridge - now yachts will also be slowed down in Kappeln shortly before Easter.

The local Bascule bridge over the Schlei will be realised in the periodfrom 28 March to 10 April 2022 will not be open for seven to ten days. This was announced by the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) in the "Notices to Mariners 63/22" of 9 March. The reason given is repair work.

According to the WSA, it should still be possible to pass under the closed bridge during this period - for boats with or without a mast. The authority also refers to possible changes to the schedule at short notice.

Especially at the beginning of the season and just before Easter, the cancelled openings affect numerous crews who want to transfer their boats from winter storage or take advantage of the first days of sailing.

Here it goes to the "BfS" of the WSA (please click).