Dear readers,
the controls within the framework of the "Maritime Safety Days"which are carried out every year by the water police in the northern federal states, are certainly a sensible measure to sensitise sailors and motorboat drivers to comply with the applicable laws. After all, we all benefit from safety on the water. And it is also well known that the average citizen only reacts to fines.
Now our colleagues from the NDR on board during an inspection trip on the Jade off Wilhelmshaven, and what they had to report was just crying out for a lively discussion. The very friendly officer explains to the baffled skipper of a small cruising yacht that he has committed an administrative offence because his sailing boat has neither a name nor a home port. A fine of 50 euros is to be paid for this offence. Excuse me?
But it gets even worse for the skipper. Because there are no up-to-date or corrected paper charts on board, according to the water police officer, a second offence has been committed. A further 100 euros in fines plus administrative fees are then due for this offence - even though there are two electronic devices with up-to-date data records on board. The skipper's anger is understandable; after all, a total fine of 150 euros plus fees is no mean feat.
But is the threatened fine even legal? A search on the Internet only reveals that sea yachts over 15 metres in length must be labelled with their name and home port. But what about smaller boats? A call to the water police in Wilhelmshaven brings a startling realisation: according to the officer on duty, this case is not an administrative offence and the naming is voluntary. This charge will therefore be dropped by the Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping. So what's the point? Making a person feel insecure despite knowing the contrary is not just pomposity on the part of the authorities, it borders on coercion.
When it comes to paper charts, however, there is no room for interpretation. No matter how many electronic devices with up-to-date nautical charts are on board, the law requires an up-to-date paper chart as a backup. (Amendment from 27/05/2024However, whether an offence is subject to a fine is controversial and not clearly regulated). At first glance, this may seem outdated and nonsensical, but in the course of increasing GPS interference this could make more sense again. Especially in challenging tidal areas such as the North Sea, which are constantly changing. And why should we unlearn everything we once learnt hard? In any case, all skippers should realise that sloppy trip preparation - in whatever form - and the resulting accidents are not only a danger for their own crew, but also a useless risk for rescuers.
Morten Strauch,
YACHT editor
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:
Click on it to see through:
The week in pictures
Recommended reading from the editorial team
Comparison test
Inner values and hot prices - which eleven-metre cruiser performs best?
Four popular eleven-metre cruising yachts put to the test: which model offers the most comfort, the best technology and the most extensive equipment for the money?
Ocean Race Europe
Knierim boss gives insights into Holcim repairs
The Holcim and Mapei crash ended with a happy ending thanks to a record-breaking repair at the Knierim shipyard. Shipyard boss Steffen Müller gave exclusive insights
Comparative test
Eleven-metre cruisers compete against each other in the Franco-German summit meeting
Four current touring boats around eleven metres hull length in the YACHT comparison test. Sailing characteristics, handling, equipment on deck and manoeuvrability.
New podcast episode
"Have learnt a lot" - Erik Kosegarten-Heil on the SailGP season
In the 51st episode of YACHT - the sailing podcast, host Timm Kruse welcomes SailGP skipper Erik Kosegarten-Heil. He talks about how the season is going for Team Germany
Globe40
Burke and Fink halve 500-mile gap in three days
Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink experience furious days on stage two in Globe40. They have halved a 500-mile gap to the Cape of Good Hope.
Boris Herrmann
"Feuer frei" - new boat, new book, lots of plans
Boris Herrmann is once again the talk of the town: the Malizia founder and six-time circumnavigator is presenting a new book and has exciting plans for the future.
Pure Yachts
First aluminium deck saloon yacht from young Kiel shipyard
The Pure 42 floats. The boat and shipyard have completed their first test run and are now facing off against the competition in Barcelona for the European Yacht of the Year award.
Small cruisers
Seven in one go - which fun box performs best in comparison?
Modern, high-performance small cruisers vary greatly between sportiness and comfort. A comparison of seven such fun boats
400 Islands Race
New bucket list race from the Kiel Yacht Club
With the 400 Islands Race, the Kiel Yacht Club is introducing a new bucket list Baltic Sea regatta to the sailing game. The 700-nautical-mile race is due to start in 2026.
Garmin OnBoard
Wireless MOB system with motor switch-off
With OnBoard, Garmin presents a wireless man-overboard system that switches off the engine in an emergency and saves the position. The system can monitor up to eight people or objects at the same time.
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:
