REPORT ON A CRUISE TO THE BALTIC & SOUTHERN NORWAY

SUMMER 2006 IN MOONLIGHT OF DOWN BY JOHN & PAT DRISCOLL

Klaipeda Harbour. Fairway Buoy.55° 43.78’N 020° 59.87’E

Pier 42.55° 42.31’N 021° 07.40’E

Klaipeda Sailing Centre.55° 41.77’N 021° 07.21’E


Naval Patrol was calling ’Sailing Vessel at position Xx° xx.x’- YY° yy.y’E’ for identification at 15-20nm. off. Entry straight forward per pilot books. Report to Harbour Control, ‘Klaipeda Radio 5’. At the end of Pier 27 on the S side of the entrance to the River Dane, there is a notice showing the route to Pier 42. Piers 40 - 42 are immediately behind, ie to the S of, Pier 27 around the back of a long finger quay. Laid up fishing boats were rafted up on Piers 40/41. The yacht pontoon, Pier 42, is on the E end of Piers 40/41/42. The pontoon is approx. 12m. long and is fitted with small cleats that only take 25mm dia. rope. The inshore, E end, of the pontoon is level with the submerged end of the disused repair yard slipways. There is a step change in the depth from 4.2m. to 2.0m. at that point. Manoeuvring room is very limited. The pier is surrounded by a fence with a locked gate. If Harbour Control have not called Immigration for you, call ’Immigration Control’, VHF Chan. 73. The immigration officers were pleasant, courteous and efficient. Clearance took 10 mins. inward and 2 mins. outward.


The Klaipeda Sailing Centre - Smiltyne Yacht Club Harbour is on the opposite side of the harbour to the town and quays. The basins are subject to swell running up the river from onshore winds and from the wash of passing ships and tugs. The basins are equipped with a box mooring system. The posts are railway line sleeved with thick plastic pipe. There is a welded loop atop each post. Hoops for headlines are fitted to the quays. Water on quays from tapered spigots. Require own hose. Diesel is not available. A special arrangement was made to refuel the rally yachts. Toilets and showers. Both

Ladies and Gents have 3 head communal showers. There is a small bar/café.

A duty harbour master is present 24 hours.


Ferry to town departs at 15 and 45. Returns at 00 and 30. Small charge on return trip. Allow 15 mins. to walk to the ferry from the harbour office. Being a public holiday during our stay, we did not ascertain the supermarket situation. Bear in mind that stores purchased require a 15 min. portage from the ferry, or a taxi if available.