The Wadden Sea is when the tidal flats glisten in the sun, seals loll on the sandbank and excited oystercatchers flutter above the water. The boat glides leisurely through until the water recedes and everything stands still for a few hours. Between Borkum, Helgoland and Sylt, harbours and clubs ensure that sailors arrive safely and can moor comfortably at floating jetties.
At the same time, fairways are being closed for cable laying for the offshore industry, and locks and bridges are being closed for urgent renovation work. Anyone sailing along the coasts of the North Sea and in the Wadden Sea this season therefore needs up-to-date information and perhaps a plan B. Our three-part North Sea update. Today: Jade and Weser.
Find out everything you need to know about the 2026 season in our three-part North Sea update:
Part 1: East Frisia - From the Ems to the Jade with all East Frisian islands (3 April 2026)
Part 2: Jade and Weser - From Wilhelmshaven to Bremerhaven (4 April 2026)
Part 3: Elbe and North Friesland - From Hamburg to Sylt (5 April 2026)
Jade and Weser: Between navy and maritime idyll
From Wilhelmshaven's naval presence to the tranquil Siel harbours and Bremerhaven's harbour worlds - this region is full of contrasts. The Kaiserbalje loses a few pricks, but a free berth awaits in Fedderwardersiel. Important: Strict distance rules apply to LNG tankers on the Jade, and in Wilhelmshaven, pleasure craft have also had to register before entering the locks since December.
Hooksiel: New waiting jetty, lock being renovated
In Hooksiel A waiting jetty for sailors has been built in the outer harbour of the Jade, where around three ten-metre-long boats can moor to wait for the lock or the right tide. The jetty is located on the dolphins to the south of the entrance and has no connection to land.
The Binnentief lock is being renovated and is expected to be completely closed until 22 May 2026. Up-to-date information on the status of the construction work and the planned reopening date can be found on the Website of the SLRV Hooksiel.
Wilhelmshaven: New rules for recreational craft
Since December 2025, Wilhelmshaven has had a New harbour usage regulations for the outer harbour to the sea lock, the so-called fourth entrance. Every vessel intending to enter the lock must register with the sea lock before entering. The coastal radio station "Wilhelmshaven Lock" is ready to receive on VHF channels 13 and 16 during lock operating hours. The outer harbour is a marine area, passage to the lock is only permitted in the corridor 100 metres on either side of the guideline at moderate speed. Mooring is prohibited.
Jade: Keep your distance from LNG tankers
In the Jade, boats must keep at least one nautical mile away from tankers calling at one of the two LNG terminals at the sea bridges. The tankers are not specially marked and are best recognised by the fact that they are usually accompanied by tugs and water police.
If in doubt, the AIS or the radio station "Jade Traffic" (outer jade channel 63, inner jade channel 20) will provide information. The radio should always be listened to.
Kaiserbalje: Less pricking
The route from the Jade across the mudflats into the Weser will no longer be equipped with pricks as part of a new buoyage in the western part of the Kaiserbalje and Hoher Weg. For the journey, a look at the Wattenschipper nautical chart with satellite overlay may be helpful.
Fedderwardersiel: Three days free of charge
In Fedderwardersiel, Soltwaters e.V., the organisation representing the interests of Wadden Sea sailors, has set up a jetty in a prominent location in the middle of the harbour, where sailors can moor for three days free of charge.
Brake: Restricted lock operation
Upstream, the inland harbour lock in Brake is being renovated until 2027. During this season, dock sluicing is only possible once a day. Sailors can enquire about the current status before approaching via VHF on channel 10 "Brake-Lock".
Bremerhaven: The red tower returns
Bremerhaven gets a landmark back! After the northern pier at the fishing harbour sank in 2022 and the historic lighthouse threatened to collapse at its endits characteristic red crest was removed and stored on land. Now the pier is being rebuilt and the tower returns to its old place.
Red sand: relocation is getting closer
However, the Roter Sand lighthouse, the maritime landmark par excellence in the Outer Weser, will now probably be travelling in the opposite direction. A petition in favour of its remaining in the Outer Weser found numerous supporters. However, the Lower Saxony state parliament rejected it. Now the move to a location on the coast is approaching. The most promising candidate among the possible locations is Fedderwardersiel.
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Current district information - always up to date
On WATTSEGLER.DE you will find everything you need for safe cruise planning, from harbour guides to soundings and current area reports.
Similarly on WATTENSCHIPPER.DEbut additionally with a interactive nautical chart. It is based on the "free nautical charts" and also contains high-resolution satellite images, on which tidal flats can be easily recognised, and an overlay with the protected areas in the mudflats, including navigation rules.
Ursula Meer
Redakteurin Panorama und Reise
