Helgoland

1. Elbe Inbound West Pilot boards54°04.4′N 007°51.5′E
2. Elbe boarding Pilot boards54°04.0′N 007°55.0′E

Size limits

Draught 5.3m

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 2.7m MHWS, 2.4m MHWN, 0.4m MLWN, 0.0m MLWS.

Approach

Helgoland-0 Lightbuoy Q (3)10s Whis 54°09.0'N 007°53.30'E, 200°/020° from/to Dune front leading light 2-1M. Care should be taken with the Hogstean shoal, 0.4nm S of Sudmole Headlight, and other rocky shoals either side of channel. The S channel and entrance are used by ferries. Caution should be taken with lobster pots around Dune Island.

Anchorages

Two anchorages are advised, Sudreede 54°10.5'N 007°54.2'E with a depth of 3.0-8.0m and Nordreede 54°12.0'N 007°52.4'E with a depth of 11.0-18.0m.

Permission must be obtained before anchoring in the inner roads or using any harbour or quay.

Restrictions

Caution: Entry is prohibited at all times into nature reserves close either side of the approach channels from SSW and NW. These reserves extend about 2nm NE and SW of Helgoland; their limits are marked by cardinal buoys. A smaller reserve, lying to the N, E and S of Dune, is prohibited to anchoring, with other restrictions.

A circular restricted area with radius 0.5nm is centred on a mooring buoy in position 54°15.0'N 007°40.0'E, lightbuoys mark the N and S limits of the area.

Charts and publications

Admiralty Pilot NP55.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be advised 48, 24 hours prior to arrival and then 2 hours before arrival, including details of vessel name, callsign, draught.

Communications

German Bight Traffic is recommended for passing messages at long range. Station works throughout 24 hours on VHF Ch 80.

Customs and immigration

Helgoland is not a port of entry into Germany. Customs is for passport control. For information on restrictions for crew and/or passengers joining/leaving a ship, contact Customs Office, Tel: +49 472 5304 and Helgoland Port, Tel: +49 4725 8159 3583 or VHF Ch 67.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie.

Position: Head of Maritime Shipping Department.

Address: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt u. Hydrographie (BSH) Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency Section S42 - Martime Security

Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78

20359 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 3190 7420

Fax: +49 40 3190 5009

Mob: +49 40 3190 7777

Web: http://www.deutsche-flagge.de/

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Engine, electrical and electronic repairs available, also safety equipment servicing.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkers: Marine diesel oil available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Facilities available, nearest hospital 0.5km from the port, dentist also available.

Crew change

No restrictions for crew change.

Transport

Nearest airport: Helgoland Airport, 1.5km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Helgoland Island, one of the North Frisian Islands, is located in the German Bight and is approx 60km from the port of Busum.

The port

The port handles foreign trade, is a holiday resort and has a local fishing industry.

Helgoland consists of a mass of red sandstone rising almost vertically to a height of 60m. On the S side the cliffs terminate in a moderate incline with a crater like depression; the principal harbours extend SSE from this area. Unterland, a low foreland, extends from the cliffs on the SE side of the island.

Where does the pilot board at Helgoland?

The pilot boards at Elbe Inbound West, 54°04.4′N 007°51.5′E. Helgoland has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Helgoland in?

Local time at Helgoland is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

Which load line zone is Helgoland in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Helgoland?

Port State Control at Helgoland: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Helgoland?

The UN/LOCODE of Helgoland is DEHGL.

What crews who called at Helgoland say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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