Miserable Greece

[vickyruairi]

Hi folks from a really cold and wet winter in Greece. Just joined the group today while trying to find an answer to our noisy gearbox problems. ( This was really just an excuse to be inside somewhere warm and dry and not out in the awful weather which has been a feature this winter)
Will follow the advice and doodle about the site to the relavent section for that.
Heading off this year on a delivery to Sweeden from here via Gib and the Keil canal. The bit up to the Uk should be straightforward enough but has anybody got any info for the approach to Keil canal, have never been that way before.I can barely remember what a sand bank looks like

Thanks a lot
Ruairi

[btrayfors]

No, but while you're waiting get yourself a copy of the Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. Classic spy story set in that region just before the First World War. Great read! You may even be able to find the video which starred Michael York.

Bill

[vickyruairi]

Hiya Bill, I am from Ireland and have a copy, I came south 20years ago for the weather but this winter has me wondering about further afield
Ruairi

[Bob]

Originally Posted by vickyruairi

Heading off this year on a delivery to Sweeden from here via Gib and the Keil canal. The bit up to the Uk should be straightforward enough but has anybody got any info for the approach to Keil canal, have never been that way before.I can barely remember what a sand bank looks like Thanks a lot. Ruairi

Keil Canal Entry/Exit

Brunsbuttel entrance from the River Elbe: - GPS: 53°53.2′N, 09°7.8′E

Closely east of the entrance basins you find the "waiting area" for small pleasure craft intending to enter the canal. Under certain wind and tide conditions the waiting can be quite unpleasant. Beware of tidal currents setting in this area. The waiting area is camera surveilled and the lockmaster will see waiting yachts. Please do not wait in the entrance areas or even the entrance basins of the locks - pilot boats are leaving and entering these easterly basins constantly at great speed.

Yachts are allowed to enter the lock, if a single white occulting light is shown on the signalmast. Most times this will happen on the easterly signal mast, managing the easterly (older and smaller) lock system. Very seldom entrance permission is given for the western (and bigger locks , that are heavily used for the commercial shipping). All other light combinations do not affect pleasure boats. Please be patient, sometimes it can take some time until permission to enter is given.

Once in the entrance basin you go straight forward into the open lock - the lock signal mast will also tell you by a single white occulting light, which lock to enter.

In the lock you tie up to the rings on the floating pontoons (wooden logs with an anti-skid rubber surface). Do not tie up to the rings in the wall, depending on the tidal situation the water level will rise more or less.

If you choose to stay in Brunsbuttel just turn to port - the pleasure boat harbour is situated close west of the new locks. Leaving the yacht there has to be negotiated with the harbour master.

More info

Good luck - enjoy the experience.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Ruiari,
Welcome aboard! Thanks to your question I just learned some things about the locking system there in Brunsbuttel.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[senormechanico]

Maybe Algore will give you an apology for the cold winter...