Knowledge

- Two waterspouts made landfall near Marsala as tornadoes, causing severe damage and leaving several people injured, some of them in schools and residential buildings.  
- This was caused by highly unstable air masses over an unusually warm Mediterranean; the whole of Sicily was under a severe weather warning with further thunderstorms expected.  
- These events form part of a series of violent Mediterranean storms and demonstrate that harbours are not always safe havens in every weather situation.

Severe weather over Marsala: a pair of tornadoes hits Sicily

- Four Saildrone Voyagers are now officially registered under the Danish flag; Denmark therefore bears flag state responsibility.  
- Insurance, liability following a collision and any insurance obligations remain largely unresolved despite the flag status.  
- Rules on giving way depend on the actual propulsion system of the drones; sailors should, as a general rule, avoid critical encounters.

Saildrone: Sailing drones flying the Danish flag for the first time

- At the EBA General Assembly in Hamburg, Peter Lauritz Lasen was elected President; topics: the environment, safety and navigation.  
- GPS disruptions in the Baltic Sea highlight the importance of traditional navigation; discussion on the standardisation of electronic nautical charts, with no concrete decisions taken.  
- Focus on environmental protection and safety: protection of seagrass through new moorings, assessment of electronic distress signals, mandatory emergency stop for motorboats.

Summit: European sailing federations discuss safety at sea

- In future, yacht owners will be able to provide evidence of their boat’s EU goods status as a precautionary measure by means of an official T2L certificate, even without having undertaken a specific voyage.
- mwst-boot.org checks the boat’s history and documentation, assesses its VAT and EU status, and assists with the T2L application where appropriate.
- This solution is particularly relevant for older yachts and in cases of a change of ownership, as the EU requires robust evidence in cases of doubt regarding EU status.

EU goods status for recreational craft: Official proof is now available

- 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

- Night-time sailing offers advantages in terms of range and provides a unique experience, but requires thorough mental, navigational and safety preparation.  
- Key precautions: defensive sailing, a clear route plan including a Plan B, a watch system, a lookout, red lights, and ensuring equipment and hot meals are to hand.  
- You must have a firm grasp of light signals, rules of way and fire signals; on charter yachts, night sailing is sometimes prohibited by contract.

Autumn night sailing: How to prepare your crew, route and boat

- ‘Albatross’ is an airborne sail probe that falls onto the water in an autorotating manner, like a maple seed, and rights itself.  
- On the water, it sails autonomously to waypoints using GPS and a compass, utilises wing sails and a flapping rudder, and is capable of collecting environmental data.  
- The probe is designed for short-term, time-critical missions; it is not yet suitable for use on the high seas and raises unresolved issues regarding identification and maritime safety.

Sail probes: Will ‘ghost ships’ soon be falling from the sky?

- Off Swinemünde, oil is to be extracted from the ‘Wolin East’ field via up to 30 wells from an artificial island, starting in 2028 at the earliest.
- The scope of a cross-border environmental impact assessment is currently being defined; a licence has not yet been granted.
- Environmental organisations and local authorities fear risks to protected areas, tourism and sailing routes; over 89,000 signatures have been collected in opposition to the project.

Oil off Usedom: the drilling platform is drawing nearer

Navigation

- For autumn cruises, check and prepare your navigation lights, red light at the chart table, night mode on the displays, as well as the foghorn and radar in good time.  
- Increase safety and protection against the cold: Keep lifejackets, lifelines, torches, insect repellent, warm clothing, a hat and gloves to hand.  
- Adapt your sailing plans to fog and strong winds, remain flexible and make the most of the remaining warm days for anchoring, swimming and bringing the season to a close.

Sailing tips: 10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

- The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are warming in the long term; in 2025, the North Sea reached record levels of 11.6 °C and maximum heat content.
- In 2026, there were 66 days of marine heatwaves off Heligoland; The consequences include altered habitats, shifts in species distribution and oxygen depletion.
- Rising sea levels are increasing the risk of storm surges; climate simulations predict that extreme water levels in the German Bight will occur three to five times more frequently by 2100.

Warm North Sea, rising water levels: BSH reports new record figures

- Summer 2026 on the North Sea and Baltic Sea: alternating spells of heat, calm, strong winds and cold snaps with ground frost, with temperatures at times approaching record levels  
- Recurring heat domes over Western Europe led to extreme conditions: record-breaking heat in Germany, strong north-westerly winds and long periods of calm  
- The North Sea and the Baltic Sea were up to 3–4°C warmer than normal, whilst the summer was more than 2°C above the climate average; according to the text, persistent weather patterns are likely to become more common in future

Sailing summer 2026: This summer was anything but ordinary

Meteorology

- High-quality, sometimes high-resolution weather and routing apps with special models for certain areas are essential for safe cruise planning.  
- The 15 apps presented cover a range from free services to complex professional solutions with routing, satellite connection and plotter functions.  
- Price and subscription models vary greatly; users have to choose between one-off purchases, annual subscriptions and regionally limited packages depending on their needs and budget.

Apps: A comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

- Meteotsunamis (‘Rissagas’) caused water level fluctuations of up to 1.44 m on Mallorca and Menorca, leading to flooding and the deployment of the fire service and police.  
- These are caused by atmospheric pressure disturbances which, via Proudman resonance and harbour resonance, significantly amplify long-period water waves, particularly in Ciutadella.  
- For skippers, warnings are crucial: use long, flexible mooring lines, additional lines, good abrasion protection, ensure fenders are properly fitted, and do not leave the boat unattended.

Mini-tsunamis: Why harbours are suddenly flooded

- XP SAIL Academy is launching on 12 September in Kaarst as a new sailing school with a focus on competitive, performance-oriented sailing.
- Fabrice Roghé is critical of traditional classroom teaching and favours interactive teaching methods, modern learning approaches and a high-quality environment.
- At the heart of the academy are regattas and training sessions on three performance cruisers, with the XP-44 “Sophie Emilie” serving as the flagship.

Interview: From the classroom to lifestyle

- 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 the age of 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 …”

Driving licence

- 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

- 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

Anchoring

- In conditions of reduced visibility, standardised sound signals and Rule 19 of the KVR apply; reducing speed takes precedence over prescribed evasive manoeuvres.  
- Radar and AIS assist in collision avoidance, but do not replace the lookout or the KVR; AIS data may be incomplete or inaccurate.  
- In German maritime waterways, the SeeSchStrO supplements the KVR, introducing right of way in the fairway and special categories such as vessels with right of way.

KVR and SeeSchStrO: What applies in fog and in the fairway

- Harbour manoeuvres in crosswinds and tight berths can be carried out in a controlled manner with a small crew, provided the crew are skilled.  
- To cast off, the yacht is slowly turned out of the berth with its stern facing the jetty, using a figure-of-eight manoeuvre and careful use of the engine.  
- When entering the berth, the bow and stern lines are used to align the yacht with the windward bollard, after which all mooring lines are cast off calmly.

Harbour manoeuvres: Stress-free berthing with a two-person crew – new video from YACHT TV

- The YACHT Cat Experience by Sunsail will take place from 2 to 6 May 2027 off the Dalmatian coast near Split.
- Participants will learn to steer a sailing catamaran themselves and manoeuvre it safely, including practical harbour manoeuvres.
- The sailing course is aimed at sailors with little or no experience of skippering catamarans and takes the form of a flotilla.

NEW – YACHT Cat Experience by Sunsail: Manoeuvring training in Croatia

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

- Following several thefts at Wieltsee, harbour master Kern is planning additional security measures, such as increased CCTV surveillance.
- Boat owners are urged to secure their outboard motors with locks and to report anything suspicious, without automatically suspecting strangers.
- Kern is planning to expand the catering facilities, car parks, boat launch and outdoor areas to make the marina more accessible as a destination for day trips.

Series of thefts: Harbour master at Wieltsee speaks out

- Within a few weeks, at least seven boats were broken into at Wieltsee, with engines and engine parts being the main items stolen.
- A tampered motorboat sank at the club jetty, causing oil and petrol to leak; the damage there amounts to around 45,000 euros.
- The police are investigating a possible link between the cases, though no suspects have been identified; clubs are discussing enhanced security measures, such as CCTV, from the 2027 season onwards.

Crime: Spate of thefts at Wieltsee

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

Insurances

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Sailing knowledge: Tips & info about sailing!

Severe weather over Marsala
A pair of tornadoes hits Sicily

Saildrone
Sailing drones flying the Danish flag for the first time

Summit
European sailing federations discuss safety at sea

Law

EU goods status for recreational craft
Official proof is now available

Mobile phone use whilst driving
Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost ships
What sailors are actually allowed to keep

Navigation

Autumn night sailing
How to prepare your crew, route and boat

Sail probes
Will ‘ghost ships’ soon be falling from the sky?

Oil off Usedom
The drilling platform is drawing nearer

Meteorology

Sailing tips
10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

Warm North Sea, rising water levels
BSH reports new record figures

Sailing summer 2026
This summer was anything but ordinary

Apps
A comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

Mini-tsunamis
Why harbours are suddenly flooded

Driving licence

Interview
From the classroom to lifestyle

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

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

Anchoring

Avoiding Legerwall
What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

Essay
Anchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

Practice
How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Manoeuvre

KVR and SeeSchStrO
What applies in fog and in the fairway

Harbour manoeuvres
Stress-free berthing with a two-person crew – new video from YACHT TV

NEW – YACHT Cat Experience by Sunsail
Manoeuvring training in Croatia

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

Series of thefts
Harbour master at Wieltsee speaks out

Crime
Spate of thefts at Wieltsee

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

Sailing knowledge: Tips & info about sailing!

Severe weather over MarsalaA pair of tornadoes hits Sicily

SaildroneSailing drones flying the Danish flag for the first time

SummitEuropean sailing federations discuss safety at sea

Law

EU goods status for recreational craftOfficial proof is now available

Mobile phone use whilst drivingYoung motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost shipsWhat sailors are actually allowed to keep

Navigation

Autumn night sailingHow to prepare your crew, route and boat

Sail probesWill ‘ghost ships’ soon be falling from the sky?

Oil off UsedomThe drilling platform is drawing nearer

Meteorology

Sailing tips10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

Warm North Sea, rising water levelsBSH reports new record figures

Sailing summer 2026This summer was anything but ordinary

AppsA comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

Mini-tsunamisWhy harbours are suddenly flooded

Driving licence

InterviewFrom the classroom to lifestyle

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

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

Anchoring

Avoiding LegerwallWhat skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

EssayAnchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

PracticeHow to moor safely to a mooring buoy

Manoeuvre

KVR and SeeSchStrOWhat applies in fog and in the fairway

Harbour manoeuvresStress-free berthing with a two-person crew – new video from YACHT TV

NEW – YACHT Cat Experience by SunsailManoeuvring training in Croatia

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

Series of theftsHarbour master at Wieltsee speaks out

CrimeSpate of thefts at Wieltsee

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

Severe weather over Marsala
A pair of tornadoes hits Sicily

Saildrone
Sailing drones flying the Danish flag for the first time

Summit
European sailing federations discuss safety at sea

EU goods status for recreational craft
Official proof is now available

Mobile phone use whilst driving
Young motorboat driver sentenced to prison

Flotsam and ghost ships
What sailors are actually allowed to keep

Autumn night sailing
How to prepare your crew, route and boat

Sail probes
Will ‘ghost ships’ soon be falling from the sky?

Oil off Usedom
The drilling platform is drawing nearer

Sailing tips
10 tips for an autumn sailing trip

Warm North Sea, rising water levels
BSH reports new record figures

Sailing summer 2026
This summer was anything but ordinary

Apps
A comparison of the best weather apps – features and subscriptions

Mini-tsunamis
Why harbours are suddenly flooded

Interview
From the classroom to lifestyle

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

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

Avoiding Legerwall
What skippers can learn from the groundings off Norderney

Essay
Anchoring – The best moment of a sailing trip

Practice
How to moor safely to a mooring buoy

KVR and SeeSchStrO
What applies in fog and in the fairway

Harbour manoeuvres
Stress-free berthing with a two-person crew – new video from YACHT TV

NEW – YACHT Cat Experience by Sunsail
Manoeuvring training in Croatia

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

Series of thefts
Harbour master at Wieltsee speaks out

Crime
Spate of thefts at Wieltsee

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