Baltic Sea: Current situation on the German coast at the start of the season
Anyone who talks to harbour operators, harbour masters, club chairmen or sailors these days will get an idea of how much damage the great October storm of 2023 really caused. Between Flensburg and Kiel, dozens of people in charge report immense damage. Much of this did not reach the general public, as the focus after the disaster was primarily on the drama surrounding the most serious cases on the Baltic Sea: Maasholm, Schilksee and Damp. However, the consequences were no less drastic for club harbours, small municipalities or private marinas, which have so few places that they can only just make ends meet economically anyway. Flooded electricity boxes, torn cables, damaged jetties, flooded sanitary facilities - the repair costs are usually well into five figures, often into six figures.
In March, the state of Schleswig-Holstein promised to set up a storm surge fund with a volume of 160 million euros. However, it is primarily municipal harbours or those whose facilities are part of flood or coastal protection that benefit from this. They can apply for funding of 75 per cent of the costs. However, some municipalities are faced with the problem that it is not clear when the money will be paid out. As a result, they have to take out loans so that work can begin as quickly as possible.
2024 is above all a year of restoring the status quo from before the disaster
Furthermore, it is still unclear how the really large investments required to raise or reinforce the breakwaters, which are either too low or too weak, will be realised. In Maasholm, Damp, Schilksee and Harrislee, the existing structures were unable to withstand the storm surge. The aim now is to prepare for the consequences of climate change. Only the next few years will show whether this is feasible with the state's storm surge fund.
Many club harbours or private marinas will be left empty-handed in any case. A planned hardship regulation is being discussed on the coast. It is intended to help clubs particularly badly affected by the storm. However, nobody can yet say if and when it will come.
As a result, 2024 is likely to be primarily a year of restoring the status quo from before the disaster. Improvements are at the back of the queue - although there are also reports of expansion and new construction projects, such as in Olpenitz, Lübeck and Travemünde. Even berths are still available in some harbours, which has brought a Current research by YACHT to appear. If you are still looking for a home harbour for your ship, you will find the relevant information below.
Port operators on the Baltic Sea raise prices
Unfortunately, the record storm has also led to price increases. Various harbour operators are charging seven to ten percent more than last year as a result of the extraordinary investments. In some places, only guest berth holders will be affected, but permanent berth holders are also likely to be asked to pay more sooner or later. This also applies to some club harbours, as they often only have small reserves.
Another consequence of the Baltic Sea storm: silted harbour approaches and partially eroded beaches, such as in Großenbrode, Grömitz and elsewhere. Almost everywhere, the shallow areas created were already cleared in April, at least in the shipping lanes. However, skippers should exercise more caution than usual this year, especially when approaching anchorages in areas that are usually shallower anyway.
