BALTIC SEA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The basic package forms the foundation of the quality standard across our Baltic fleet. It includes gas consumption, as well as complete interior and exterior cleaning after your charter. This ensures that every yacht can be thoroughly prepared for the next crew, from the bilge to the guardrails. The scope of the basic package allows our teams to maintain consistently meticulous cleaning and preparation standards.

In individual cases, a short charter from three days may be possible and must be requested separately. The following conditions apply: confirmation can be given no earlier than 12 days before the start of the charter. The yacht must have a weekly charter price of more than €1,398. The minimum charter period is three days. The price is calculated by dividing the weekly rate by seven and multiplying it by the number of sailing days, plus the applicable surcharge. For three days, the surcharge is 30%; for four days, 20%. There is no surcharge for five days. Subject to availability, arrival on the evening before costs €100.

You will receive the applicable terms and conditions as a PDF with every reservation or booking. In advance, you can find the current General Terms and Conditions for our Baltic bases here.

No. Blankets, pillows, sheets and duvet covers are not part of the standard onboard equipment. The same applies to towels, tea towels, sponges, washing up liquid, salt and pepper. For a Baltic charter, you should bring these items with you. As an alternative, bed linen can be hired and delivered by a hospitality service provider. Please allow sufficient notice when placing your order. In future, these extras are expected to be bookable again via the new First Class Sailing customer area.

The licence requirements for Swiss nationals have been reviewed with the relevant authorities. According to this assessment, RYA certificates issued by the Royal Yachting Association do not entitle the holder to skipper a yacht at sea unless the holder is British. For British nationals, certificates from the RYA, British Water Ski and Wakeboard, the British Sub Aqua Club or International Yachtmaster Training are recognised, among others. For Swiss or German nationals, however, an RYA certificate obtained during a holiday through a suitably certified sailing school is not sufficient. Swiss citizens without German licences require the “Swiss Certificate of Competence for Ocean Yachting”. Alternatively, its predecessor, the “Führerausweis für Yachten auf See B”, is also accepted. In addition, both certificates must be endorsed with “A” for sailing yacht or “D” for motorboat. A “Schiffsführerausweis A-D” on its own is not sufficient and must be supplemented by one of the certificates listed above.

Yes. Our Baltic yachts are equipped with nautical charts published by NV Verlag. The chart sets are replaced every year, so the current year’s charts are always on board. The latest corrections and notices are provided by the NV Charts Update Service. For passage planning with electronic navigation, a limited number of codes for activating digital charts in the NV App are also available.

The yacht can be taken over on Saturday from 07:00. Return is on Friday by 16:00 at the latest. After that time, the crew may no longer remain on board, and the yacht must be vacated by 16:00. Arrival on the previous evening with an overnight stay on board is also available. In future, this option is expected to be bookable again via the new First Class Sailing customer area.

The liability insurance included with the yachts covers damage caused by the charter yacht to third party property, for example if another vessel is damaged while coming into harbour. The additional skipper liability insurance from Yacht Pool extends this protection. It also includes cover for gross negligence. In addition, it covers personal injury caused by the skipper’s actions, for example during an accidental gybe that results in injury. The cover also applies to mistakes made by the helmsman. Claims between crew members are likewise insured.

Yes. Service partners can take you by vehicle from Hamburg Airport to your yacht in Flensburg or Heiligenhafen. This service must be requested separately. As a guide price, the journey from Hamburg Airport to Flensburg costs €240 for a car with up to four passengers and €280 for a minibus with up to eight passengers.

Yes. Even if you have taken out deposit insurance, the security deposit must still be lodged. In the event of damage, you settle the cost of the damage at the base and receive an invoice. You then submit this to Yacht Pool. They will reimburse the amount, less a €50 excess.

In most cases, yes. On almost all yachts, one dog may be brought on board subject to prior approval. On the equipment page for the relevant yacht, this is indicated by the note “Pets allowed”. If this note is missing, you are welcome to enquire individually. If the yacht details explicitly state “No pets” under special features, bringing a dog is not possible. As a particularly thorough interior clean is required after a charter with a dog, a final cleaning service must be booked at a flat rate of €140.

We do recognise a British SRC. The training is practice oriented and the certificate has been accepted to date. The legal position may be open to differing interpretations. Based on our previous experience, intensive checks and hearings were carried out in the first year, but to our knowledge no fines were imposed. In recent years, we have not become aware of any related issues. We cannot predict what long term effect Brexit may have on this continued acceptance. So far, however, we are not aware of any specific difficulties arising from it.

At check in, you take responsibility for the equipment items listed on the handover checklist. For this reason, please inspect the inventory and all key technical components with great care. Once the yacht has been handed over, you are responsible for the yacht and for any damage that occurs during the charter.

Work through the handover checklist in full and clarify any open points during the handover itself. A thorough inspection provides clarity and helps prevent misunderstandings when the yacht is returned.

Inspect the sails before departure or immediately after getting underway. Pay particular attention to tears, loose stitching, and any other damage to the sailcloth. Even well maintained sails can come under considerable strain during use.

If you discover any damage, report it immediately. Repairs cannot always be arranged at short notice, and delayed reporting may result in unexpected costs later on.

The boom cover, sprayhood and bimini are delicate components and should be checked regularly. The boom cover, or lazy bag, is constantly exposed to sun, wind and saltwater. Make sure the lazy jacks are tensioned correctly without placing excessive strain on the eyelets of the boom cover.

With the sprayhood, creasing and friction can lead to tears. Sheets and other lines should therefore not rub against the sprayhood when it is folded down. With the bimini, take care that a falling boom does not bend the frame or damage the fabric.

Keep the jib halyard properly tensioned at all times. A loose jib halyard can twist around itself while furling, jam the system and damage the furling gear.

Do not use a winch on the furling system, as the forces generated can place unnecessary strain on the equipment. After reefing, the sheet lead should also be adjusted. This reduces wear on the sail and improves its performance.

When unfurling and furling, the yacht should be kept as close to head to wind as possible. This allows the sail to move freely without unnecessary strain. Keep the sail under tension, but avoid excessive load.

The furling mechanism for the mainsail must also never be operated with excessive force or with the assistance of a winch. Careful handling protects both the sail and the furling system.

To hoist a battened mainsail, point the yacht directly into the wind. This helps prevent the leech from catching in the lazy jacks.

Reefing lines and topping lift must run freely and be correctly tensioned. With a single line reefing system, only use as much tension as is genuinely necessary. Excessive pressure on the cringles can damage the sailcloth or cause tearing.

Reef early when the wind increases. Start with the mainsail to reduce heel and stabilise the yacht. If conditions allow, you may bear away a few degrees from a close hauled course and continue with the furling genoa unreefed. This places less strain on the sail and allows the yacht to accelerate more effectively.

Avoid prolonged heavy flogging of the sails, as this puts stress on the cloth and shortens its service life. Correct sail trim also improves the yacht’s stability, speed and balance.

Take at least three to four turns of the sheet around the winch before securing it. This distributes the load more effectively and protects the winch arm from excessive strain.

Electric winches must not be run right up to the stop. Fine trimming should always be carried out by hand and without electric assistance.

Each crew member should inspect their lifejacket before setting off. In particular, check the CO2 cylinder and the dissolvable tablet, and store the lifejackets in a dry place so that moisture cannot accidentally trigger the inflation mechanism.

Please also inspect the indicator clip and the rubber seal. The rubber seal should show no groove pattern, and no needle tip should be visible at the opening.

Prepare fenders and lines in good time and, especially in unfamiliar harbours, take a moment to assess the situation. Limited space may require you to adapt your planned manoeuvre at short notice.

Discuss the manoeuvre with the crew beforehand and assign clear responsibilities. Lines must not hang in the water, as they can become entangled in the propeller shaft. Correctly positioned fenders protect the guardrails and hull from damage.

As a matter of principle, we do not state whether a yacht will pass safely under a specific bridge. We provide the mast height. The decision on whether to proceed lies with the skipper, as several factors can affect the actual clearance available.

According to the chart, the Fehmarnsund Bridge offers 21 m clearance at mean sea level. In around 90% of cases, the display on the bridge pier shows 22 m. However, Notices to Mariners may temporarily report further restrictions, for example a reduction of 3 m. Depending on the reference used, this may leave 18 or 19 m. In addition, a construction situation announced in advance may look different on site than expected.

The same principle applies to the Great Belt Bridge. There are several possible passages. In practice, you must report by VHF radio, after which Great Belt Traffic will instruct you which passage to use.

What matters is the information shown on the current chart, the relevant Notices to Mariners and the yacht’s actual mast height. Notices to Mariners must always be taken into account.

Before anchoring, check the pin on the anchor fitting and the condition of the anchor windlass. The ground tackle should also be secured with a rope if there is no transverse locking pin.

Explain the operation of the system to the crew. With electric anchor windlasses, please note that they often only work when the engine is running. When staying overnight at anchor or in stronger winds, the length of chain deployed must be appropriate to the water depth so that the anchor can hold securely.

When starting the heating, first set the target temperature to maximum and let the system run at full output for around ten minutes. This reduces soot build up and supports reliable operation.

If the heating switches off again quickly, check for kinked warm air ducts and closed ventilation outlets. A low battery charge is also a common cause of heating problems. Around 80% of such faults are due to insufficient voltage. The heating outlet must also remain unobstructed to avoid any risk of fire.

Before departure, please make sure the water tank has been freshly filled. First allow enough water to run through the hose until cold water comes out. This flushes out any possible contamination that may have built up in the hose during storage.

When returning the yacht, the tank should be left as empty as possible so that the next crew can fill it with fresh water. Please do not use tank water as drinking water, as its quality can deteriorate quickly depending on temperature.

Only switch on the freshwater pump when water is actually needed. If it remains on continuously, excessive pressure can build up. This may cause water to enter the bilge and increase overall consumption.

Switch the pump off after use and leave a hot water tap slightly open so that pressure can be released. If water pressure drops unexpectedly, check all outlets, including the stern shower, as water may be escaping there unintentionally.

The yacht is handed over with a full diesel tank and should also be returned fully refuelled. When refuelling, take great care to use the correct filler point.

Diesel in the water tank or water in the diesel tank can cause serious damage. Even though the filler points are normally marked, you should still check carefully more than once before refuelling to ensure the correct connection is being used.

On board there are seacocks for fresh water, wastewater and diesel. Valves that are not currently required should remain closed in order to prevent water ingress and environmental damage.

The positions of the shut off cocks are shown on the valve plan in the onboard documentation. An accidentally opened diesel valve or a closed cooling water valve while the engine is running can cause severe damage.

In the marina, the yacht should be connected to shore power so that the batteries can be charged and electrical equipment can be operated. Check the charging indicator light regularly and pay attention to whether any fuses on the pontoon sockets have tripped.

If voltage is low or a battery alarm sounds, the batteries can be charged by running the engine at approximately 1,500 rpm. If no current is flowing despite being connected to shore power, also check the main switch.

Before starting, check that the gear lever is in neutral. On many yachts, the engine will not start if a gear is engaged.

If the engine still does not start, check the main switch, the starter battery and whether the diesel shut off valve is open. After stopping the engine, the ignition must also be switched off completely. If switches are left on unintentionally, the battery may discharge and costly damage may result.

Before every start, check the oil level and the coolant. While the engine is running, sufficient cooling water must be discharged at the stern. In addition, the yacht should not heel more than 10 degrees so that the oil and water supply remain assured.

Carry out these checks consistently and record them in the logbook. Unusual noises may indicate a blocked cooling circuit and should be investigated promptly.

Change gear carefully and pause briefly in neutral when shifting between forward and reverse. This reduces strain on both the gearbox and the control cable.

In the marina, the yacht should remain in gear with reverse engaged. This stabilises the shaft and reduces noise. When starting the engine at sea, however, reverse may remain disengaged.

Some areas require particular caution due to water depth and the risk of damage. Yachts with a draft of 1.75 m or more must not pass through Guldborg Sound because of numerous incidents and unreliable depth information.

The Fehmarnsund and certain parts of the Flensburg Fjord also present hazards from large rocks and shallow patches. Follow the buoyage exactly and do not pass shoal markers on the wrong side. Damage resulting from an unsafe passage may be regarded as gross negligence and could lead to a loss of insurance cover.

The skipper is required to keep the logbook carefully and on a daily basis. This includes position and weather data, as well as any incidents that must be recorded. A properly completed logbook can play an important role in insurance and liability matters and may be requested by the authorities in the event of accidents or unlawful conduct. The crew and skipper should also be entered in it.

At check in, we provide a simple logbook which must be returned after the charter. We are unable to make copies. If you would also like to keep a personal logbook as a memento, you may ask for two copies. The logbook containing the required official entries must be returned after the charter, while the second copy may be taken home with your personal notes.

In an emergency, you can contact the maritime rescue coordination centre on VHF channel 16 or by telephone on +49 421 536870. Please also save the service hotline in your mobile phone before departure.

When making an emergency call, check that the radio is transmitting at full power. For technical questions, you may use the charter company’s service number. Describe any emergency as precisely as possible so that assistance can be provided quickly and effectively.

Repairs resulting from normal material wear may be arranged without prior approval from the charter company up to a value of €150. Please obtain a receipted invoice showing the yacht’s name and the work carried out. You may then submit this invoice for reimbursement.

If the cost exceeds €150, approval must be obtained before any work is commissioned. Damaged parts and documentation of the repair must be retained for the charter company.

First, do everything possible to keep the damage to a minimum and document it immediately. Inform the charter company without delay and record the incident in the logbook.

Describe the damage as precisely as possible. In the event of grounding, the exact position must be recorded in particular. Damage caused by fire, explosion or theft must also be reported to the police. If necessary, follow the insurer’s instructions and leave the assessment of the damage to the relevant specialists so that any claims can be pursued in full.

Please allow पर्याप्त time for your return. On the final day of the charter, a short passage back to the home marina is advisable so that the yacht can be handed back without time pressure. Use the morning to prepare and take any forecast gale or other adverse weather conditions into account early in your planning. The next crew should also be able to depart on time. Before handback, the yacht must be fully refuelled in the home marina.

After berthing, please confirm the handback appointment at the marina office. The yacht should be returned tidy and swept clean unless final cleaning has been booked. The inventory and the yacht’s condition will be checked together with the base representative. Any damage should be raised and clarified on site straight away. This avoids later queries and creates clarity regarding any defects and responsibilities.

As a general rule, no. For arrival, a pre boarding the evening before can be booked for €100. This allows you to stay overnight on board from 22:00 on the Friday before the charter begins. The actual check in then takes place on Saturday morning. On return, the yacht must be vacated by 16:00 on Friday. These times may also allow the next crew to book pre boarding from 22:00. At the same time, they help you make the fullest possible use of both the Saturday and the Friday of your own charter as sailing days. If the yacht is not immediately re chartered after your return, it may in individual cases be possible to arrange an overnight stay until Saturday on site. In this case, the charge is the same as for pre boarding, namely €100. If your yacht is occupied afterwards, another available yacht may possibly be offered as an overnight boat. In that case, the cost of final cleaning is €13.50 per metre of yacht length. Neither option can be guaranteed in advance and both can only be clarified during check out on site.

You take over a yacht that has been cleaned by us. After the charter, you return the yacht shipshape and swept clean. This supports our service teams in carrying out the subsequent thorough cleaning reliably. Even when final cleaning is included in the package, leaving the yacht tidy is part of good seamanship. The yacht should be returned neat, orderly and treated with respect. Our team will then carry out the full cleaning and prepare the yacht for the next crew.

If no damage has been reported, the release and settlement of the security deposit will be processed within three days. After the yacht is returned, the matter is handled by head office, and the crew will receive an update within three working days. In future, invoices for the charter fee, the security deposit and additional services will be available in the new First Class Sailing customer area. If there is any delay, for example because damage first needs to be assessed, you will be informed. You may also contact head office to ask about the status of the settlement.

After the charter, you are welcome to leave a review and comments about the yacht. Your feedback helps us continue improving our service and quality, while also assisting other charter guests with their choice. The review function will in future be available in the new First Class Sailing customer area.