Knowledge

- NATO is conducting the first operational trials of the GANDALF 4 prototype sensor on the vessel ‘Turva’ and an H215 helicopter to detect GNSS jamming and spoofing.
- At the same time, the NCIA is testing CRPA antennas, which ensure GNSS reception under jammed conditions and complement GANDALF by increasing system resilience.
- According to Traficom, the Baltic Sea – particularly the eastern Gulf of Finland – has seen increased GNSS interference since spring 2026, with consequences for navigation and on-board systems.

Navigation: GNSS jamming; NATO tests sensor to counter GPS jamming at sea

- The KVR define obligations rather than rights of way and require responsible risk avoidance rather than rigid adherence to the letter of the law.  
- Rule 2 requires that, in the event of imminent danger, one must deviate from the rules of way and always choose the safest course of action to avoid a collision.  
- Safe navigation requires a vigilant lookout and an appropriate speed; the KVR apply worldwide in waters navigated by seagoing vessels, supplemented by local regulations.

KVR explains: Think for yourself rather than insisting on right of way

- On 12 August 2026, a partial solar eclipse in Germany, with up to 90 per cent coverage, will coincide with the peak of the Perseids.
- Despite its red colour, the Sun must only be viewed directly through certified ISO 12312-2 solar eclipse glasses; improvised solutions are unsafe.
- The best time to observe the Perseids is after midnight until dawn, when there is no moonlight; weather conditions are expected to be particularly favourable inland and in parts of the Baltic Sea region.

​Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026: Stay awake on the night of nights!

- A 26-year-old motorboat driver has been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, eight of which are suspended, for causing death by gross negligence following a fatal collision on Lake Constance.  
- He was travelling at approximately 60 km/h, was distracted by his mobile phone, taking photos, attempting to make bookings and having conversations, and failed to notice the sailing boat; a 57-year-old woman died, whilst her husband survived.  
- The judgement is not yet final; mitigating factors included his confession, his previous conduct and psychological distress; he was ordered to pay 5,000 euros to the bereaved.

Mobile phone use whilst driving: Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

- In Sicily, bundles of cash were washed ashore following an alleged money-laundering case; they were seized as evidence and not treated as lost property.
- In Germany, flotsam generally remains the property of the person who lost it; finders must report finds worth 10 euros or more and only acquire ownership after six months.
- For yachts, salvage law applies: salvage entitles the salvager only to a salvage reward, not to ownership; the owner’s liability may continue despite having abandoned the vessel.

Flotsam and ghost ships: What sailors are actually allowed to keep

- The Union goods status of yachts is crucial; old proof of purchase is often insufficient; owners must be able to provide conclusive evidence of the goods’ taxed status.  
- Long voyages, the three-year rule, EU outermost regions and refits carried out outside the EU can jeopardise Union goods status and require careful documentation.  
- Buyers of second-hand boats are increasingly asking for proof of VAT payment; Tanis explains which documents are valid and how checks and any potential additional claims are handled.

New podcast episode: VAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

- A legervall occurs in onshore winds, waves or currents and can quickly cause yachts that are not at a sufficient distance from the leeward coast to run aground.
- Clusters of accidents, particularly in Seegatten and harbour entrances, are often the result of overconfidence, unfamiliarity with the area and technical failure.
- Prevention: choose the leeward shore, factor in currents and break-off points, keep the anchor clear, keep sails ready to reef, make radio contact early and consider insurance risks.

Avoiding Legerwall: What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

- Light signals have shaped warfare, communication and safety at sea for millennia – from Troy to Pharos to the October Revolution.  
- Beacons and navigation lights made shipping safer, but were also misused, for example in cases of beach raiding or during the sinking of the ‘Wilhelm Gustloff’.  
- Despite GPS and modern electronics, lighthouses remain important as a safety backup, cultural symbols and romantic locations.

History: Lighthouses – More than just coastal romance

- Sea Alert bündelt amtliche Navigationswarnungen aus 21 europäischen Ländern und NAVAREA-Zonen auf einer interaktiven Karte mit Näherungsalarmen.  
- Die App bietet Favoriten, Crewmeldungs-Sharing, eigene Meldungen, integrierten Sofort-Übersetzer und Offline-Modus mit vorab ladbaren Karten.  
- Verfügbar für iOS und Android: 14 Tage kostenlos testbar, danach Jahresabo für 29,99 Euro, nutzbar auf bis zu drei Geräten.

Sicherheit: Navigationswarnungen per App, mit Sea Alert europaweit

Navigation

- The 2026 Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of the new moon, 12–13 August; under ideal conditions, up to 100 meteors per hour may be visible.  
- Particularly good viewing opportunities for sailors in dark bays and regions such as Spiekeroog, Pellworm, Westhavelland, Møn/Nyord and Anholt.  
- Explanations of the origin and name of the Perseids, photography tips for cameras and smartphones, and cultural customs relating to making wishes on shooting stars.

Perseids 2026: How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

- On 12 August 2026, a rare and significant solar eclipse will take place; it will be total in northern Spain and the Balearic Islands, and partial (up to 90 per cent) in northern Europe.  
- For sailors, an unobstructed view to the west-north-west and keeping a safe distance from coastal hills are crucial; totality will be visible off the coasts of Valencia, Mallorca and Ibiza, amongst other places.  
- It is essential to use ISO-certified eclipse glasses; the DLR is studying the ionosphere; minor GPS disruptions and short-term weather effects are possible, but pose no particular danger.

​​Solar eclipse 2026: Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

- Alpine lakes are very popular in hot weather, but can become dangerous within minutes due to rapidly developing thunderstorms and Föhn gales.  
- A two-tier storm warning service using orange lightning symbols (40/min for strong winds, 90/min for storms) warns of dangerous gusts on Lake Constance and the Bavarian lakes.  
- Switzerland and Austria use similar visual warning systems, some with two warning levels and others with just one, depending on the lake or federal state in question.

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakes: Everyone should be aware of these storm warning services

Meteorology

- Böen entstehen durch dynamische (Reibung, Topografie, Höhenwinde) und thermische Turbulenz (labil geschichtete, aufsteigende Warmluft).
- Kaltfronten, Trogtiefs, labil geschichtete Herbstlagen und ablandige Winde an gegliederten Küsten führen zu besonders heftigen, drehenden Böen.
- Warnsignale sind Quellwolken, Schauer-/Gewitterlinien, verdunkelte Wasserflächen und Schaumkronen; Skipper müssen schnell Kurs und Segel anpassen.

Weather knowledge: Strong gusts out of the blue - development and sail handling

- Über dem Bodensee bei Friedrichshafen bildete sich eine bis zu 20 Minuten sichtbare Wasserhose mit geschätzten 100–150 km/h Windgeschwindigkeit.
- Trotz Nähe zum Ufer, Angst unter Beobachtern und zahlreicher Fotos/Videos gab es laut Wasserschutzpolizei keine Notfälle oder gemeldeten Schäden.
- Auslöser war eine Gewitterzelle über ungewöhnlich warmem Wasser; Wasserhosen sind selten, meist kurzlebig und am Bodensee typischerweise im Spätsommer.

Wetter: Spektakuläre Wasserhose zieht über den Bodensee

- Due to a lack of funding, Pukropski ended her competitive sporting career and, at the age of 24, took over her former sailing school using a personal loan.
- She worked almost non-stop, bore full financial responsibility and, as a young boss, was sometimes not taken seriously, but learnt about leadership and organisation.
- The aim is to create an accessible water sports centre offering low-cost and inclusive activities, combining education, community and experiential learning.

Interview: Setting up his own sailing school at 24: “When I do something, I do it properly”

- Rum has been a staple of seafaring since the 17th century, from serving as a substitute for drinking water and a protection against scurvy to the daily ration of the Royal Navy.
- Rum is closely linked to slavery, Caribbean plantations, Flensburg’s rum trade, as well as modern sailing culture and regattas such as the Route du Rhum.
- Despite blood alcohol limits, rum remains a symbol of maritime culture; breaches on board result in fines, penalties and the loss of insurance cover.

World Rum Day: “Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest …”

- The KVR primarily govern collision prevention worldwide; local regulations such as the SeeSchStrO or EmsSchO may, in some cases, take precedence over them.
- Rules on giving way follow the principle that one vessel must give way in good time and in a clear manner, whilst the other maintains its course and speed in a visible manner.
- Exceptions apply, for example, in situations with poor visibility and in ‘last-minute manoeuvres’ if the vessel required to give way does not react appropriately.

Rules of right of way: Right of way and giving way: These are the rules sailors need to know

Driving licence

- Dropping anchor creates a moment of pause, in which engines fall silent, thoughts quieten and a sense of contentment becomes tangibly apparent.  
- At anchor, security and freedom come together: the boat becomes a protective cocoon, the anchor a symbol of stability in a turbulent environment.  
- Stepping away from the rhythm of everyday life reveals what really matters: few possessions, genuine closeness, honest conversations and the confidence that the anchor will hold.

Essay: Anchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

- Muringbojen bieten eine alternative Liegeoption zum Ankern oder Hafen, bestehen aus Boje, Kette und festem Grundgeschirr wie Betonblock oder Bodenschraube.
- Nutzung, Kosten, Regeln und Traglast variieren je nach Region und Betreiber, etwa in Dänemark, auf den Balearen oder in Eckernförde.
- Risiken sind unklare Wartung, mögliche Brüche oder Grundberührungen; Skipper haben Sorgfaltspflicht und sollten Zustand und Eignung der Boje prüfen.

Practice: How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

- In Scandinavia, Midsummer marks the longest day, with hardly any darkness, and is celebrated with light, nature and simple rituals.  
- On board, Midsummer can be experienced intensely through soft, continuous lighting, the special atmosphere in the archipelago and tailored traditions such as the menu, flowers and night-time swimming.  
- Sailors can choose between quiet natural anchorages, lively harbours or regattas; the peak season requires early planning for alternative moorings.

Midsummer on a boat: making the most of the shortest night of the year

Anchoring

- Physical intervention to prevent boats from colliding carries a high risk of injury; maintain a safe distance solely by manoeuvring, using lines and fenders.
- Fenders must be correctly positioned at the widest point of the boat; do not climb over or jump from the boat unless the distance can be safely controlled.
- Boat control in the harbour is achieved through prepared mooring lines, clear procedures and the correct sequence when securing the boat, particularly in crosswinds.

Mooring a boat: How to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

- Gaff sails were a defining feature of sailing for centuries, but were later superseded by engines on commercial vessels and by square sails on yachts.  
- The classic gaff sail uses a topsail for light winds; variants with a steeper gaff do not require a topsail and allow for shorter masts.  
- The Dutch type, with a long mast leech and short gaff, lowers the sail’s centre of gravity; the wishbone rig increases sail area and ease of handling, but is expensive and complex.

Traditional sails: What gaffs and spread gaffs can do

- The junk sail distributes tension via partial sheets to the battens, uses lightweight canvas, has virtually no heel, and can be reefed very easily without reefing lines.
- Boats with a junk rig are considered less capable than sloops when sailing close to the wind, but are otherwise similarly capable whilst being significantly easier to handle.
- Sprit sails are simple, inexpensive and gaff-like; they were used on many working boats and, despite their large sail area, allow the boat to be operated with a small crew.

Traditional sail types: junksails and sprit sails explained

Manoeuvre

Seamanship: This wind pressure is generated on yachts during storms

Knots: Sailors must be able to do these six knots

Rope customer: Make your own soft shackles from Dyneema

Sailor's knot

New podcast episode: What should sailors look out for in yacht insurance?

Winter storage: When snow becomes a burden

New podcast episode: The right insurance for an ocean crossing - with Timo Elfes from Pantaenius

Insurances

Sailing knowledge - simply explained: sailing law, meteorology & co. ✅ Learning to sail: manoeuvres & navigation ✅ Tips for sailors ✅

Sailing knowledge: Tips & info about sailing!

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Sailing knowledge: Tips & info about sailing!

Navigation
GNSS jamming; NATO tests sensor to counter GPS jamming at sea

KVR explains
Think for yourself rather than insisting on right of way

Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026
Stay awake on the night of nights!

Law

Mobile phone use whilst driving
Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost ships
What sailors are actually allowed to keep

New podcast episode
VAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

Navigation

Avoiding Legerwall
What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

History
Lighthouses – More than just coastal romance

Sicherheit
Navigationswarnungen per App, mit Sea Alert europaweit

Meteorology

Perseids 2026
How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

Solar eclipse 2026
Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakes
Everyone should be aware of these storm warning services

Weather knowledge
Strong gusts out of the blue - development and sail handling

Wetter
Spektakuläre Wasserhose zieht über den Bodensee

Driving licence

Interview
Setting up his own sailing school at 24: “When I do something, I do it properly”

World Rum Day
“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest …”

Rules of right of way
Right of way and giving way: These are the rules sailors need to know

Anchoring

Essay
Anchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

Practice
How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Midsummer on a boat
Making the most of the shortest night of the year

Manoeuvre

Mooring a boat
How to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

Traditional sails
What gaffs and spread gaffs can do

Traditional sail types
Junksails and sprit sails explained

Sailor's knot

Seamanship
This wind pressure is generated on yachts during storms

Knots
Sailors must be able to do these six knots

Rope customer
Make your own soft shackles from Dyneema

Insurances

New podcast episode
What should sailors look out for in yacht insurance?

Winter storage
When snow becomes a burden

New podcast episode
The right insurance for an ocean crossing - with Timo Elfes from Pantaenius

Sailing knowledge: Tips & info about sailing!

NavigationGNSS jamming; NATO tests sensor to counter GPS jamming at sea

KVR explainsThink for yourself rather than insisting on right of way

​Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026Stay awake on the night of nights!

Law

Mobile phone use whilst drivingYoung motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost shipsWhat sailors are actually allowed to keep

New podcast episodeVAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

Navigation

Avoiding LegerwallWhat skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

HistoryLighthouses – More than just coastal romance

SicherheitNavigationswarnungen per App, mit Sea Alert europaweit

Meteorology

Perseids 2026How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

​​Solar eclipse 2026Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakesEveryone should be aware of these storm warning services

Weather knowledgeStrong gusts out of the blue - development and sail handling

WetterSpektakuläre Wasserhose zieht über den Bodensee

Driving licence

InterviewSetting up his own sailing school at 24: “When I do something, I do it properly”

World Rum Day“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest …”

Rules of right of wayRight of way and giving way: These are the rules sailors need to know

Anchoring

EssayAnchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

PracticeHow to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Midsummer on a boatMaking the most of the shortest night of the year

Manoeuvre

Mooring a boatHow to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

Traditional sailsWhat gaffs and spread gaffs can do

Traditional sail typesJunksails and sprit sails explained

Sailor's knot

SeamanshipThis wind pressure is generated on yachts during storms

KnotsSailors must be able to do these six knots

Rope customerMake your own soft shackles from Dyneema

Insurances

New podcast episodeWhat should sailors look out for in yacht insurance?

Winter storageWhen snow becomes a burden

New podcast episodeThe right insurance for an ocean crossing - with Timo Elfes from Pantaenius

Navigation
GNSS jamming; NATO tests sensor to counter GPS jamming at sea

KVR explains
Think for yourself rather than insisting on right of way

Solar eclipse and the Perseids in 2026
Stay awake on the night of nights!

Mobile phone use whilst driving
Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost ships
What sailors are actually allowed to keep

New podcast episode
VAT, EU goods, customs checks: What yacht owners need to know about their yacht’s status – with Benyamin Tanis

Avoiding Legerwall
What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

History
Lighthouses – More than just coastal romance

Sicherheit
Navigationswarnungen per App, mit Sea Alert europaweit

Perseids 2026
How sailors can experience the night of shooting stars from their boats

Solar eclipse 2026
Tips for sailors – from Kiel to Ibiza

Extreme weather on the Alpine lakes
Everyone should be aware of these storm warning services

Weather knowledge
Strong gusts out of the blue - development and sail handling

Wetter
Spektakuläre Wasserhose zieht über den Bodensee

Interview
Setting up his own sailing school at 24: “When I do something, I do it properly”

World Rum Day
“Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest …”

Rules of right of way
Right of way and giving way: These are the rules sailors need to know

Essay
Anchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

Practice
How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Midsummer on a boat
Making the most of the shortest night of the year

Mooring a boat
How to avoid dangerous mistakes when mooring

Traditional sails
What gaffs and spread gaffs can do

Traditional sail types
Junksails and sprit sails explained

Seamanship
This wind pressure is generated on yachts during storms

Knots
Sailors must be able to do these six knots

Rope customer
Make your own soft shackles from Dyneema

New podcast episode
What should sailors look out for in yacht insurance?

Winter storage
When snow becomes a burden

New podcast episode
The right insurance for an ocean crossing - with Timo Elfes from Pantaenius