Hohwachter Bucht: First a Nato exercise, then a shooting break

As part of a German Navy exercise with NATO units, the firing and warning areas of Todendorf, Putlos and the corresponding danger area will be completely closed during the official firing times for the duration of the exercise. However, as 32 practice mines will also be laid for the duration of the manoeuvre and, according to information from the Navy's Todenlos coastal radio station in response to an enquiry from YACHT, there will be increased shipping traffic, the Bundeswehr recommends avoiding the area completely for the duration of the manoeuvre. The mines are of course not live, but the manoeuvre alone means that there are already a lot of ships on the move, explained the captain on duty.

If you have any questions about crossing the area, you can also contact the Todenlos coastal radio station at any time via channel 16 or 11 (call sign "Todenlos Naval") or call the control centre by telephone (Tel.: 04385/591313). The coastal radio station is always manned when there is shooting. On the coming Whitsun weekend, however, at least Saturday and Sunday will be shooting-free.

Shooting break in summer takes place

More importantly, when asked, the captain of the control centre explained that, as things currently stand, the summer exercise break will be resumed in 2023 during the holidays from 29 July to 25 August. As part of exercises and tests that ultimately stemmed from the war in Ukraine, this 2022 still cancelled. However: It was emphasised that changes at short notice are possible at any time due to changes in the situation. Sailors should therefore check shortly before planned crossings in summer to make sure that the break will actually take place. This can be done very easily via the BSH information page on the shooting range which always shows the current times for the coming week. Or alternatively via the Website of the Lippe Yacht Club which is located on the edge of the shooting range. Or simply by contact via radio or telephone (see above).

In addition, the signal masts in Todendorf and Putlos provide information via light signals, even before exercises take place, and security vehicles are also deployed.

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