Dear readers,
It has now been two years since a storm surge in the Baltic Sea caused severe damage in several harbours, particularly on the Schleswig-Holstein coast. In the Olympic harbour in Kiel-Schilksee alone, 48 yachts sank to the bottom and the jetties and stone piers were completely destroyed in some cases. The reconstruction work in Kiel cost several million euros.
The harbour at Damp was hit even harder. It has still not been restored to this day. One We published a report on the events of that time at the beginning of this week.
A similarly destructive weather event did not occur on the German coasts last autumn/winter. Nevertheless, a severe storm could hit the North Sea or Baltic Sea again at any time and pose a threat to harbours and towns - and of course to coastal residents.
This makes it all the more astonishing that quite a few boat owners continue to more or less leave their boats in the harbour to their own devices, even when there is a lot of wind and strongly fluctuating water levels.
Just last week, the water level in several harbours in the western part of the Baltic Sea dropped rapidly due to persistent strong winds. Shortly afterwards, photos circulated on Facebook of yachts almost hanging in the air in mooring lines that were set far too tightly as the water under their keels receded. One or two boat owners need not have been surprised to see cleats torn out.
There may be understandable reasons for not being able to check the boat when a storm is approaching. In other words, to check the position of the fenders and the tarpaulins or to adjust the length of the mooring lines. For example, because the journey to the boat would be long or you are unable to make it to the harbour because of a tight schedule.
And yet: ownership is an obligation!
After all, it's not just about your own yacht, but also about those of your neighbours. During the storm surge mentioned at the beginning, many ships were damaged because some boats were not properly moored. They broke loose, drifted and crashed into other yachts.
Too long a journey or scheduling reasons should not be arguments for not taking care of your ship in the harbour. If you can't do it yourself, it is often possible to ask others - or commission them - to check the fenders and lines in heavy weather. Whether it's acquaintances close to the harbour, neighbours living on board or the local boat service company.
The harbour master, on the other hand, should not be bothered with such a request. And certainly don't expect him to take action on his own initiative. It is simply not his job to deal with the failings of overly careless boat owners. Even though many harbour masters do it anyway - a big thank you to them at this point!
In addition to simple thoughtlessness or carelessness, a certain fully comprehensive mentality can unfortunately also be observed among some owners. The motto is: If something breaks on the boat in a storm, the insurance will pay for it. Selfish behaviour. Others end up footing the bill for this behaviour. Be it because insurance premiums rise for everyone as a result of increasing damage.
Or because your own ship is covered by hull insurance, but your neighbour's may not be. If the mooring lines of the insured ship break in a storm and the ship drifts onto the uninsured neighbouring berth and scrapes the ship's side, the injured party is stuck with the repair costs.
As the first owner is not formally at fault for breaking the mooring lines due to force majeure, he is not liable for the damage his boat causes to other boats. Lucky if you also have hull insurance!
More on the topic:
You should always be aware of this the next time you turn a blind eye to an approaching storm and think that everything will work out somehow. And that, in case of doubt, the insurance company will cover the damage.
Incidentally, the above does not only apply to the time when the ship is in the water. Even in winter storage, you are not relieved of your responsibility as the owner. This is especially true if the ship is wintering in an external storage facility, possibly even with the mast standing.
Before a heavy storm, it should be a matter of course to check the position of the supports and the lashing of the tarpaulins and, if necessary, to secure the rig additionally. It is also best to do this if the boat is in a commercially operated winter storage facility on land and the storage operator is therefore responsible for the safe storage of the boats he has stored.
Unfortunately, not all storage operators are aware of the latter. Others try to shirk their responsibility by including appropriate exclusions in the winter storage contract - although they have little success in court, as the Hamburg Regional Court recently ruled. We had reported on this.
If everyone is aware of their responsibility and acts accordingly, everyone can sleep more peacefully. Even in storms. With this in mind: get you and your boat through the autumn and winter safely!
Pascal Schürmann
YACHT copywriter
You have voted - the result of last week:
Recommended reading from the editorial team
Malizia 4
First the damage to the foil, now the mainsail has torn
First the damage to the foil, then broken hull reinforcements, and now a tear in the mainsail. Two new videos show how Team Malizia is repairing and further developing the IMOCA ahead of the Route du Rhum.
Silting up of the Elbe
Small ports are fighting for every metre of water depth
The Lower Elbe is silting up, time windows are shrinking and ports are becoming difficult to reach. With flat-bottomed boats and homemade dredgers, sailors are fighting to preserve their fishing grounds.
Propulsion
Max Bianchi variable-pitch propeller, which adjusts its pitch whilst the aircraft is in flight
A variable-pitch propeller that automatically adjusts its pitch whilst in flight: this is what Max Prop’s Max Bianchi model is designed to achieve in powered flight and motor-sailing.
Interview
What is it like to work on board the ‘Thor Heyerdahl’?
The ‘Thor Heyerdahl’ has been sailing the world’s oceans for more than 40 years. YACHT editor Fabian Boerger explains why this historic vessel remains relevant.
Hurricanes 2026
Dramatic rescue off the coast of California – El Niño shapes the storm season
A lifeguard rescues a sailor from a partially flooded yacht off the coast of California. Why the 2026 hurricane season is turning out so differently between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Blue-water yachts
These five are heading to the ends of the earth
Five blue-water yachts, five designs: the Boréal 56, Kraken 58, Pure 49, Stem 50 and Breehorn 55 demonstrate their strengths and weaknesses on a long-distance voyage.
Record low water level in Lake Zurich
Sailing yacht flown by helicopter to its winter storage facility
Water levels in Lake Zurich are below the previous record low. Because his sailing yacht was stuck in the shallow water and in danger of capsizing, a 65-year-old owner had his boat airlifted out by helicopter. The operation cost around 2,000 francs and highlights just how much the exceptionally low water level is now affecting navigation.
Series of thefts continues
Thieves make off with two 300 PS outboard motors from Wieltsee
Thieves have struck again at Wieltsee: they have stolen two boats and removed heavy outboard motors. This is already the fourth such incident in three months.
Second-hand boat of the week
Arietta 31 – the dawn of an era
A narrow waist, mahogany hull and elegant overhangs: the Arietta 31, designed by Olle Enderlein, prioritises balanced lines and seaworthiness over maximum living space. As a forerunner of later Scandinavian cruising yachts, it is now an interesting classic for sailors seeking a traditional, compact cruising yacht.
Breehorn 55 review
Is it the ideal home at sea?
A pilothouse, teak fittings and an unusually accessible service tunnel: this is how the Breehorn 55 works below deck, and these compromises remain.
Newsletter: YACHT-Woche
Der Yacht Newsletter fasst die wichtigsten Themen der Woche zusammen, alle Top-Themen kompakt und direkt in deiner Mail-Box. Einfach anmelden: