What has been common practice in Denmark for some time is now also slowly being introduced in German marinas: Using QR codes or apps such as mysea, guests can register outside of harbour office opening hours, pay for their berth and gain access to sanitary facilities and Wi-Fi. In addition to the Grömitz marina and the Neustadt in Holstein marina, skippers can now also register online around the clock in the Passathafen harbour in Travemünde. The digital solution puts an end to a familiar problem for many crews who arrive at the harbour after a long day on the water only to find that the harbour master's office is already closed.
Easy handling thanks to QR code
The solution is very simple: a QR code is attached to the door of the harbour master's office, which guests can scan with their smartphone after mooring. The code automatically redirects to the new payment platform, where all the necessary boat and user data can be entered with just a few clicks. Payment is then made, which is currently possible by credit card. A further online payment service is to be integrated shortly in order to expand the range of payment options. After a successful booking, users immediately receive a confirmation e-mail with all the important information, the PIN code for the sanitary facilities and the access data for the harbour WLAN.
Digital modernisation of port operations
The foundation for this customer-oriented innovation was laid back in April 2025, when the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, as the operator of the port, introduced a new port management programme for the Passathafen, which focused primarily on the digital modernisation of port operations. The online payment function that has now been implemented makes the biggest noticeable difference for guests. It is an example of a trend that is emerging in many harbours on the German Baltic coast: The digitalisation of services, which makes the stay more convenient for guest sailors. For sailors, this development means more freedom and flexibility when planning their cruise. The digital solution enables guests to organise their stay in the marina according to their own ideas, without having to be guided by opening hours or office hours.
You can find more information about Passathafen and Lübeck here:
Passat harbour rich in tradition
The Bay of Lübeck offers a good selection of modern marinas with guest berths. First and foremost is the Passat harbour with the local landmark to which it owes its name: The four-masted barque "Passat", one of the legendary Flying-P-Liners of the shipping company F. Laeisz, which was launched by Blohm & Voss in 1911, is now a museum ship, youth hostel and popular event venue. The marina on the Priwall peninsula - with a view of Travemünde's old town opposite - has 490 berths. Guest yachts up to 16 metres long and five metres wide will find ten signposted berths in four to six metres of water to the east of the boat crane.
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
Jill Grigoleit was born in Hanover in 1985. An early childhood memory is the large collection of YACHT and SURF magazines from her sailing and surfing enthusiast father. However, growing up in a small Swabian village on the Neckar, she had less to do with water sports in her childhood, apart from a few trips to the Baltic Sea with her family. After studying journalism in Bremen and Hanover, she went into television for a few years. Through a few lucky coincidences, she ended up on the water in 2011 and then returned to the written word professionally. For over ten years, she lived with her family on a houseboat in their own harbor south of Hamburg and wrote a book about houseboat building and life with children on the water. Since 2020, she has mainly been writing travel reports and features about people who live and work on and near the water for BOOTE. She has been a permanent member of the Delius Klasing water sports editorial team since January 2024.
