Setting sail on the Sound

There are three ways to reach Stralsund port by sea:

Way 1:  from the north through Gellenstrom and Vierendehlrinne into the Strelasund: target depth 4,50 m
Way 2:  from the north through the Libben and the Hiddensee fairway into the Strelasund: target depth 2,50 m
Way 3:  from the east through the Greifswalder Bodden and the Palmer Ort channel into the Strelasund: target depth 7,50 m

Routes 1 and 3 are well marked and lit, which allows safe approach to Stralsund harbor even at night. Entering Stralsund harbor via route 3 for sailing boats and larger motor yachts is dependent on the opening times of the Ziegelgraben Bridge due to the low clearance height.

The current opening times of the canal bridges can be found on the Website the Hanseatic city of Stralsund.

The current opening times of the Ziegelgraben Bridge can be found here.

The following maximum clearance heights at normal water levels must be observed:

Ziegelgraben Bridge, closed: 6,00 m
Strelasund Bridge (old Rügen Dam): 8,00 m
New Rügen Bridge: 40,00 m
Overwater cable - Prosnitzer Schanze -
Ziegelgraben: 40,00 m

Sea rescue is carried out by the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) and the SAR service. If necessary, the sea rescue boat "Hertha Jeep" can be reached on 03831-20671143 or VHF channel 67 (Stralsund Traffic).

The maritime weather report is posted daily at the Port and Seaman's Office, Hafenstrasse 50. In addition to the normal weather reports on the VHF radio stations, eg NDR, maritime weather reports are broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on medium wave 1269 kHz and on VHF channel 67 (Delta-Papa 07). The broadcast times for the maritime weather reports can be found in the publications.

Regional weather information via Internet:

• www.windfinder.de
• www.segeln-in-vorpommern.de
• www.deutschlandradio.de
• www.dwd.de

Stralsund-Traffic reports weather warnings and area information on VHF channel 67 at 2:35 a.m. and from 6:35 a.m. every two hours until 22:35 p.m.

The areas are shown in the nautical charts.

Information on closure times and area changes will be published weekly in the “News for Seafarers” (NfS) of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and also published via VHF marine radio and the media.

The following addresses are available online:

• Stralsund main customs office
• Stralsund Water and Shipping Authority
• Port Authority of the Hanseatic City of Stralsund

The direction and strength of the current in the Bodden waters depends on the water level in the Baltic Sea. It usually flows in when the wind is from the north and out when the wind is from the south. Speeds of up to 4 knots are often reached locally. A special case is the Strelasund, which connects the coast west of Rügen and the Pomeranian Bay. The current here is not so easy to predict. Before crossing the bridges, observe the direction and strength of the current on fixed structures in the water.

There are no noticeable tidal water level fluctuations. Changes in the water level depend only on the direction and strength of the wind and the level of the Baltic Sea. The normal level at the gauge in Stralsund is 5,0 m (NN).
Large fluctuations occur very rarely and only in extreme weather conditions. However, in summer you must also expect water level fluctuations of up to 80 cm. Accordingly, you should be careful when navigating in the approaches and inland waters and use a depth gauge.
Low tide occurs when there are strong winds from the SW and S, high tide occurs when there are E, N and NW. At low tide, many shallows and shoals in the Stralsund and Hiddensee area become dry and become so-called wind mudflats.