If you want to visit the island metropolis of Rønne on Bornholm on your own keel, you can dock in the marina Nørrekås to the north. Now the local radio station TV 2 Bornholmthat the outdated outer jetty can no longer adequately protect the boats moored in the harbour against wave impact.
"There is a risk of damage to the boats, as the mooring lines are fraying. If a boat lies unevenly, it wears out badly," complains Kim Frederiksen, chairman of Rønne Sailing Club. Of course, the boats in the harbour move around more in rough weather, but Frederiksen is convinced that the inadequate outer breakwater becomes obvious when you take a look into the harbour basin after a large fast ferry has passed. "Then there's always a big commotion in the harbour basin!"
Kim Frederiksen, who himself has a boat in Nørrekås and visits the harbour regularly, is irritated. Instead of repairing the outer jetty, the plan this winter is to repair floating docks and other damaged facilities. "It's a bit strange to repair something that is likely to be damaged again by waves," says the chairman.
Known problem, but no funds approved for necessary repairs
The problem has been known since 2021, when an expert inspected the pier. The conclusion of the report was that the majority of the total length of around 260 metres had a remaining lifespan of two to four years. At the time, it was estimated that repairing the outer breakwater would cost around DKK 12 million (EUR 1,608,000). Despite negotiations, the construction proposal was not included in the budget, so there are no funds for the repair.
"From my point of view, it makes no sense to want to attract more guest sailors, but at the same time increase the prices for them and the moorers, while the outer jetty is not being repaired. We should take the waves seriously, put some money aside and do something instead," concludes Kim Frederiksen.
