The news, which was only published on 18 June, leaves many port operators and company owners on the Schlei speechless: in the middle of the summer holiday season, on 14 and 15 July, the Waterways and Shipping Authority will close the Schlei from 11.00 to 17.30 and 7.30 to 17.30 respectively, according to a publication in the "News for sailors" the Schlei completely at the level of the power lines that cross the water between Rabelsund and Grauhöft. The NfS still states that both days will be closed from 7.30 a.m., but following protests, the WSA announced today that the start time will be moved to 11 a.m. on the first day. A corresponding NfS is due to be published soon.
Extensive work will be carried out on the cables on both days. If the wind is too strong on these dates, the closure will even be extended to 16 July if necessary. "We were taken completely by surprise and immediately tried to get the work postponed," says harbour operator Hauke Steckmest, whose marina and Scalar shipyard is located in Grauhöft. The news is already doing the rounds in skipper circles, and as is the way with the silent post effect, he has already been approached by customers who thought the closure would be much longer.
The Waterways and Shipping Authority then contacted Hauke Steckmest and explained that it was unfortunately no longer possible to postpone the very complex work at short notice. The closure was actually supposed to take place in March, but then there were technical problems - and then came corona. Now the pipes have to be replaced in the middle of summer, otherwise there is a risk of collapse. If you want to pass this point, you either have to set off early and get through before the closure or drive in the evening, after 5.30 pm. As it is to be expected that many skippers will not be aware of the closure in advance, the safety boats on site will probably have plenty to do to stop crews and divert them to harbours or anchorages.
Andreas Fritsch
Editor Travel
