Bundeswehr firing range Hohwachter Bucht
Although the Hohwachter Bucht firing range at the Putlos and Todendorf military training areas is used by the German Armed Forces all year round, traffic on the water increases abruptly at the start of the sailing season - and with it the risk. When planning a trip through the corresponding sea area between Fehmarn and the Kiel Fjord, skippers should therefore always be aware of the current firing times.
They are published well in advance by the responsible Waterways and Shipping Office on behalf of the Federal Armed Forces in a notice to mariners (BfS), most recently for the month of May, and, if necessary, replaced by updated reports. Thereafter, the following periods apply until the end of the month
- Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
- Additionally on Wednesday and Thursday until 00:30
- Saturday, 10 May 2025: 9 am to 2 pm
Signalling and warning systems
Shooting exercises are regularly carried out in the Hohwachter Bucht shooting range and on the Putlos and Todendorf military training areas. These take place both inside and outside the warning and danger areas marked with buoys. Skippers should exercise extreme caution during the specified shooting times, as travelling in these areas is strictly prohibited.
Shortened firing times by the Bundeswehr are signalled via the Heidkate, Hubertsberg, Wessek, Blankeck and Heiligenhafen warning stations. An additional daytime signal at the Neuland lighthouse switches off automatically at dusk. The signals from the other centres and the safety vehicles are decisive.
Current situation reports via VHF radio
Outside of the specified shooting times, exercises with illuminating and signalling ammunition (with the exception of red signal) also take place. The danger area outside the warning areas, marked by the light buoys H1 to H3, should be avoided as far as possible during firing times. However, it is possible to pass through after prior consultation with the Bundeswehr.
The coastal radio station Todendorf Naval broadcasts situation reports on VHF channel 11 from Monday to Friday at 7:30, 11:00 and 15:30, and on Saturdays in exceptional cases at 7:30 and 11:00, on the current danger areas. They are announced five minutes in advance on VHF channel 16.
Bundeswehr firing range Kiel Bay
Shooting times for the Bay of Kiel were also announced until the end of June via the Notices to Mariners (BfS) published. Day and night shooting exercises only take place when the firing range is clear. The main routes through the area, such as the Kiel-Flensburg route and the Kiel-Ostsee route, remain unaffected and are open to shipping. During the exercises, the vessels involved will use the NE 4 signal in accordance with the International Signal Book.
If vessels venture too close to the target in the dark, the Bundeswehr target tug will shoot flares with white stars as a warning and illuminate the target. The participating vessels only carry the light and signalling systems prescribed in the Collision Prevention Regulations (KVR) and the Maritime Traffic Regulations (SeeSchStrO).
Position of the shooting range
- 54°46.0'N 010°05.0'E
- 54°46.0'N 010°23.5'E
- 54°42.0'N 010°35.0'E
- 54°30.0'N 010°35.0'E
- 54°30.0'N 010°10.0'E
- 54°29.0'N 010°05.8'E
- 54°28.8'N 010°03.8'E
- 54°28.8'N 010°03.0'E
- 54°39.0'N 010°05.0'E
- 54°46.0'N 010°05.0'E
Bundeswehr firing ranges Pomeranian Bay and Arkona
The same BfS also provides information about artillery firing exercises in the Pomeranian Bay firing range and torpedo firing exercises in the Arkona firing range. Here, too, firing will only take place during the day and at night if the field is clear. The sea area remains open and the same safety measures apply in accordance with the regulations as in the Bay of Kiel.
Position Pomeranian Bay
- 54°40.0'N 013°57.5'E
- 54°40.0'N 014°20.0'E
- 54°20.0'N 014°17.0'E
- 54°20.0'N 014°08.0'E
- 54°27.0'N 014°08.0'E
- 54°27.0'N 014°00.0'E
- 54°37.8'N 013°51.5'E
- 54°40.0'N 013°57.5'E
Position Arkona
- 54°51.0'N 013°09.0'E
- 54°51.0'N 013°30.0'E
- 54°47.0'N 013°45.0'E
- 54°37.5'N 013°45.0'E
- 54°37.5'N 013°30.0'E
- 54°43.0'N 013°30.0'E
- 54°43.0'N 013°00.0'E
- 54°47.5'N 013°00.0'E
- 54°51.0'N 013°09.0'E
