Kiel: Navy wants to take over Plüschow harbour - sailors have to make way
The city of Kiel and the federal government are currently negotiating the former site of the Naval Air Wing 5 (MFG-5) north of the Holtenau lock. A letter of intent sets out the initial key points - although a final deal has yet to be finalised. However, the agreements reached so far show where the journey is heading - and for the sailors affected, the signs are extremely bad.
The Plüschowhafen, a protected basin on the western shore of the Kiel Fjord and west of the Stickenhörnmole, is part of the negotiations. The area is to be transferred in its entirety to the Bundeswehr. Where sailing yachts anchor today and the Schwentine fleet has found a home, naval landing craft and combat boats are to be moored in future, report the Kieler Nachrichten.
No civilian use of the Plüschow basin
This development is tough for the members of the Schwentineflotte. They currently lease their jetty from the city of Kiel and the contract runs until the end of 2033. The German Armed Forces could soon step in as a contractual partner - and they don't want the Plüschow basin to be used for civilian purposes, says Vera Fichtner, chairwoman of the Schwentineflotte association.
If we have to leave here, we have to talk to all the players with foresight. Because this club needs a harbour."
But where they might go is still unclear. So far, they had hoped to be able to stay. It wouldn't be the first time in a military neighbourhood either. The British Yacht Club used to be located on the north side of the bay, opposite the MFG-5 site. Although they were not allowed to moor there, Fichtner explains, there was a free tolerance right of way. "A coexistence that worked well."
"A crazy world and we become victims"
Another bitter pill to swallow is that the association has recently invested heavily in the jetty. The members invested around 280,000 euros in new piles. "We've just reached a point where things have calmed down," says Enno Doobe, who has been involved for over 20 years and has witnessed the eventful history of the Schwentine Fleet.
We used to be practically bankrupt, but today we are a healthy company that invests."
The fact that they are now being asked to leave is madness. "More than 25 people live here. A place of residence like everywhere else, a port of call for global shipping. And now the Bundeswehr is saying that everything is being wiped away here. It's a crazy world and we're being victimised." It's a shame about all the dreams that have been created here - on and around the former MFG-5 site. But now we have to deal with it constructively, says Doobe.
No alternatives for the displaced so far
In addition to the Schwentine fleet, the Kiel Yacht Service, the German Underwater Club Kiel, the company Unterwasserkrause, the Kiel Naval Aviation Sailing Association and the Kiel Marine Farm are also likely to be affected. Sailors in the region will also lose a favourite anchorage.
According to Kieler Nachrichten there are currently no alternative options for affected clubs and companies. Contracts running beyond 2027 are to be transferred to the federal government and further talks will then be continued bilaterally.
Nevertheless, the Stickenhörn marina, which lies to the east of the Plüschow harbour and is separated from it by a causeway, the Stickenhörn jetty, remains the property of the city and is therefore still accessible to sailors.
Wik naval base to be expanded
Plans also envisage the expansion of the naval base in Kiel-Wik, formerly known as Tirpitzhafen, to the south of the Holtenau lock. For example, the previously publicly accessible viewing point and the café and caravan site located directly next to the lock - a hotspot for ship spotters - are to be removed.
In return, the city will receive compensation areas in other locations. For the time being, nothing will change for sailors south of the lock. The Wik sports harbour south of the Gorch Fock pier is to remain in place.
According to the Bundeswehr, the expansion was triggered by the changed threat situation. The Holtenau and Wik sites are considered particularly suitable for these plans due to their location.
Fabian Boerger
Editor News & Panorama
