TALLINN OLD CITY MARINA (VANASADAM)

Technical Specs

Navigation Notes

Marina open 24/7, office 08:00-20:00. Border control formalities required for non-Schengen arrivals. Pre-arrival notification 24 hours in advance. Tallinn VTS: VHF 71. --- ## KIEL CANAL (NORD-OSTSEE-KANAL) TRANSIT INFORMATION **Transit Fee for 12m Recreational Yacht:** - 10-12m: €18 (complete passage with two locks) - 12-16m: €35 - Online payment: wsv.webshop.bund.de (valid 2 days before to 3 days after booked date) - Payment methods: Credit card, giro card, or bank transfer (5 days advance) - On-site payment: Machines at Kiel-Holtenau (Tiessenkai and inner waiting area), Gieselau lock keeper, occasionally Brunsbüttel inspector **Booking/Payment:** - Online via WSV Webshop recommended - Create account optional but speeds up process - Receive code via email after payment - show at lock controls - Ticket must be carried as DIN A4 printout or digital display **Transit Time:** - 98km total length - At 5 knots: approximately 10-11 hours - Many yachts split into two days (overnight moorings available) **Lock Waiting Procedures:** - **Brunsbüttel (West/Elbe side):** VHF 13 (call "Kiel Canal 1"), waiting area on south bank by small lock - **Holtenau (East/Baltic side):** VHF 12 (call "Kiel Canal 4"), waiting area north of Tiessenkai - Waiting time: up to 90 minutes possible - White flashing light = enter lock - Pleasure craft normally lock separately from commercial vessels at Brunsbüttel; may lock with ships at Holtenau **VHF Channels:** - VHF 12: Holtenau locks (Kiel Canal 4) - VHF 13: Brunsbüttel locks (Kiel Canal 1) - VHF 3: Canal stretch Holtenau to Breiholz (Kiel Canal 3) - VHF 2: Canal stretch Breiholz to Brunsbüttel (Kiel Canal 2) **Speed Limit & Rules:** - Maximum speed: 15km/h (8 knots) over ground - Keep to the right - Sailing prohibited (except with engine running + black cone pointing down) - Daylight navigation only for pleasure craft (hours vary seasonally - check wsa-nordostsee-kanal.wsv.de) - Draft over 3.1m requires pilotage - LOA 20m+ requires Class A or B AIS **Overnight Mooring Options:** 1. Brunsbüttel recreational craft berth (north side, km 1.8) - fees apply 2. Dückerswisch siding turning area (km 20.7) - max draft 2.40m, one night only 3. Before Gieselau lock (km 40.5) - max draft 2.40m, one night only 4. Lake Obereider (km 66) 5. Lake Borgstedt (km 67.5 and km 70) 6. Lake Flemhude (km 85.4) 7. Kiel-Holtenau (km 98.5, east of lock) - fee required **Prohibited mooring:** At barrages, control structures, fender piles, gauges, aids to navigation, lock approaches, embankments, WSV installations --- ## BALTIC SEA ENTRY FORMALITIES - ESTONIA **Entering Estonian Waters:** **EU/Schengen Vessels:** - Estonia has been Schengen member since 21 December 2007 - No border control for vessels arriving from other Schengen countries - Carry identification documents and vessel registration papers - Police have right to conduct document checks **Non-EU/Non-Schengen Vessels:** - Must enter via designated border crossing points - Pirita Marina and Tallinn Old City Marina are border crossing points - Valid passport required for all crew - Visa requirements depend on nationality - check Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs **Required Documents:** - Vessel registration document - Ownership documents - Proof of technical inspection - Crew list (full name, date of birth, passport number) - two copies - ICC (International Certificate of Competence) required for operators of pleasure craft up to 24m **Pre-Arrival Reporting:** - Notify port 24 hours in advance of arrival (4 hours for Estonian-flagged vessels) - Submit via Estonian Maritime Document Exchange (EMDE) system - Information required: vessel name, flag, crew/passenger numbers, cargo, port of departure/arrival, infectious diseases **Tallinn Port Entry Procedures:** - Contact Tallinn VTS 2 hours before entering internal waters: VHF 71 - Pilotage station coordinates: Suurupi shipping lane 59°29.4'N 24°33'E or Tallinn bay (entry from North) 59°37.5'N 24°38'E - Order pilot 24 hours in advance: Phone +372 605 3888, VHF 13/16 (call sign "LOOTSIJAAM"), working channel 72 - Moor at quay designated by port master for border control - No one may disembark before border/customs clearance - Border Guard Board: +372 612 3000, ppa@politsei.ee **SafeSeaNet/AIS:** - Recreational craft under 20m LOA not required to report via SafeSeaNet - AIS recommended but not mandatory for smaller craft - VHF 71 for Tallinn VTS **Useful Contacts:** - Police and Border Guard Board: +372 612 3000, ppa@politsei.ee - Estonian Maritime Administration: www.vta.ee - Port of Tallinn: www.ts.ee --- I've compiled a comprehensive sailing route guide covering all 20 locations from Dublin to Tallinn, plus detailed Kiel Canal transit procedures and Baltic Sea entry formalities for Estonia. **Key highlights from the research:** **Route Overview:** The northern offshore route takes you through some of the most scenic and well-equipped marinas in Northern Europe, with full services available at most stops. **Kiel Canal Transit:** For a 12m yacht, budget €18 for the complete transit (€35 if 12-16m). The online payment system at wsv.webshop.bund.de is now operational and recommended - pay in advance and receive a code to show at the locks. Transit takes approximately 10-11 hours at 5 knots, with 8 designated overnight mooring points if you prefer to split the journey. **Estonia Entry:** As a Schengen member since 2007, EU vessels face minimal formalities. Non-Schengen vessels must use designated border crossing points (Pirita or Old City Marina in Tallinn). Pre-arrival notification 24 hours in advance via the EMDE system is required. Contact Tallinn VTS on VHF 71 two hours before entering Estonian waters. **Notable stops:** - **Lerwick:** Key offshore waypoint with 24/7 Port Control on VHF 12 - **Bergen & Stavanger:** Payment via GoMarina app, excellent facilities - **Copenhagen:** Langelinie Marina is city-centre adjacent near the Little Mermaid - **Tallinn:** Two main options - Pirita (yacht harbour, 45 visitor berths) or Old City Marina (adjacent to medieval Old Town) All contact details, VHF channels, costs, and approach notes are included for each location.