When everyone pulls together, even small miracles can be achieved. At least that's how it sounds when you talk to Philipp Mühlenhardt, Managing Director of Kiel Sports Harbour GmbHspeaks. "I am very proud of our people and partner companies, the work in Schilksee is going really well, we are on schedule and will be able to open the harbour on 15 March as usual!" The jetties are finished apart from the last remaining work, all the piles are back in place and even the time-consuming installation of new supply pillars is already well advanced. "But we also had to spend a lot of money on this, and the costs for the renovation work have already totalled over one million euros. The reserves are now pretty much exhausted," says Mühlenhardt.
In the spring, work will then also begin on filling the breakwater with stone. The harbour should therefore be ready for the season and just as safe as before, and should not disappoint its many permanent berth holders. Sporthafen Kiel GmbH is still waiting for financial support from the state of Kiel. "We're getting positive signals behind the scenes, but there's nothing in writing yet, and we can't plan for it until the money is there." The port association had to go to great lengths financially, and price increases are very likely for 2025 - but most long-term berth holders should have realised this given the extent of the damage. After all, there was also damage to other facilities, even if Schilksee was clearly the worst hit.
Major progress elsewhere too
Work is now also underway in Eckernförde, where pontoons with cranes are working in the harbour. The municipality has also signalled for the first time that the port in Maasholm will start with a slight delay, but it should be ready by 1 May, according to the Kieler Nachrichten newspaper. The port was initially closed until 1 April. A similar situation seems to be developing for Schleimünde: Yesterday, the "Nachrichten für Seefahrer" reported the closure until 1 May. Work has been going on there for many weeks, partly with the active co-operation of volunteers who are helping to rebuild the natural stone pier that leads from the lighthouse to the conservationists' house. This gives hope that the harbour will also start the season on 1 May.
Completely restored in the Schlei is the Lindaunis marinaand, as the operator revealed, there are still a few remaining spaces available for boats up to around nine metres - perhaps one or two permanent residents from Damp can still find a place there.
