The number of reports of extinguished beacons on the German coast is increasing: after the Kalkgrund lighthouse in the Flensburg Fjord and the Kiel lighthouse, the Schleimünde leading light on the approach to the Schlei has now also failed.
The responsible Waterways and Shipping Authority published a current version of the cancellation Notice to Mariners (BfS)in which shipping is requested to "navigate the area with appropriate caution". Work is given as the reason for this. No information was given as to when this work is due to be completed.
The leading light is located on the pilot island on the north side of the Schleizufahrt near the legendary former "poison shack"which was severely damaged by the devastating storm surge in October 2023. The leading light marks the fairway between the pairs of buoys "7/8" and "3/4" directly west of the pilot island.
While the Kalkgrund lighthouse since his retirement in May is still out of service and is labelled as a general hazard with cardinal buoys, burned the light at the Kiel lighthouse The boat was up and running again after a few days, but only with the help of the emergency power supply. The permanent cable connection between both navigation marks and the mainland is still not functional.