Baltic Sea storm surge: Despite reconstruction - Danish harbours are missing guest sailors
Max Gasser
· 16.07.2024
"We're fully open again, but the sailors aren't coming," says Carsten Kock, harbour master at Mommark Marina. "But several people call me every day to ask if we're open after all," he continues. And that's exactly how it is. However, this news, which also applies to the majority of harbours in the entire Danish region, has still not reached many German and Danish cruising sailors.
After all, many harbours in the region were originally supposed to remain closed for the entire season following the extreme damage. It was not until mid-March, for example, that Mommark decided to reopen after all. Around a month later, the entire capacity of up to 60 ships was opened, with catering and camping facilities opening at the same time.
Storm surge damage: harbour had to pay 400,000 euros itself
To make this possible, the company had to raise around 400,000 euros out of its own pocket for the renovations. The total damage amounts to around 1.5 million euros. "We paid for everything ourselves. We didn't get any help." According to Kock, there was only minimal funding for the catering area. All the more reason why we now need the guests as a source of income. They make up the vast majority of berths in the small Danish harbour.
So far, however, capacity utilisation has been around half that of the previous year. "Tonight, for example, there were only 16. That's far too few for us," explains Mommark's harbour master. The surrounding harbours have also all reopened. "I haven't heard of any harbours that are still closed. Everything is back in operation in Denmark."
Only the entrance to Mommark harbour is currently not in a regular state. Instead of a depth of up to three metres, only around 2.30 metres are currently measured. This is due to the fact that dredging is not permitted from 1 April to 1 August. "Dredging will resume at the beginning of August. So far, however, we haven't had any problems with it anyway. At a depth of 2.30 to 2.40 metres, most people can get through."
