Dear readers,
The other day a neighbour asked me in the stairwell as I was hauling a bag of freshly washed halyards and sheets to the car: "Are you still sailing in the Baltic? With all the danger of war?" My spontaneous answer: "Sure! Where else? Besides, I don't think it's that dramatic yet." But the question got me thinking on the journey to the boat. Are we really going to let one of the most beautiful areas in Europe be ruined by threat scenarios? Or is there more hysteria than real danger?
The big threat
The fact is: the Baltic Sea is under observation. With satellites, drones, submarines - everyone is watching when we do our rounds. The Russian shadow fleet is a recurring theme, as are acts of sabotage on maritime infrastructure from gas pipelines to data cables. But let's be honest: do we really feel any of this? Apart from a few more naval vessels on the horizon and the occasional restricted area, we are sailing as we always have. The shadow fleet? They sail their routes and leave us in peace. The military manoeuvres? Are announced and avoided. Not nice, but not an acute problem that directly affects us, restricts us or makes us act differently.
The real problem is that we are making the danger seem greater than it is. Sure, theoretically the big bang could come tomorrow. But then it doesn't matter whether I'm cruising off Bornholm or in my home harbour. I can understand anyone who is very worried about the situation, but I'm not.
East versus West - or no matter?
The question of whether you would rather go to western Sweden than to the eastern Baltic Sea is quite justified. It feels like you are closer to Russia, to possible espionage scenarios, if you head towards Gotland or the Finnish archipelago. But is that really relevant? Where is it quicker to be safe in an emergency? From the Åland Islands or from the Kattegat? The distances quickly become relative when it comes down to it.
The boat as life insurance?
In theory, we sailors have the ultimate escape vehicle. In real crises, boats have always been a lifeline - see the refugees from the GDR or the Danes during the Second World War.
Our boat can give us mobility and a certain independence that people on land don't have. We could sail to remote bays, we could leave Europe - these are at least more options than most people have. Although this is quite theoretical, it can at least create a subjective sense of security, even if only very few people would realise this.
Active instead of passive
And then there is this aspect: as sailors, we are not just helpless spectators. We can keep our eyes open, report suspicious activity and act as additional eyes and ears. We are now called upon to report suspicious ships - whether they still have their anchor, are making strange manoeuvres or are perhaps tampering with submarine cables. Let's do it.
It gives you the feeling of at least being a small cog in the system, of being able to do something instead of just anxiously consuming the news.
My conclusion
I won't let scaremongering spoil my enjoyment of the Baltic Sea or even sailing. If I don't go to the eastern Swedish archipelago this summer, it won't be because of a threat situation, but because I don't fancy the return journey, which is contaminated by westerly winds. Maybe I'll go as far as Bornholm and Hanö Bay. There in Karlskrona, I visit the Naval Museum again and see the exhibition about spying mini-submarines that were found a few miles away, not far from Sweden's largest military base. Not today, but 45 years ago.
There have always been risks - bad weather, accidents, medical emergencies. Now there is simply a theoretical safety risk. So what?
The likelihood of the Third World War breaking out during my cruise is much lower than that of me breaking my foot or having engine damage. And I'm prepared for that.
Realism yes, scaremongering no - and cast off! I'm looking forward to the season!
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Editor-in-Chief of YACHT
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