Gdańsk and Hel: boating safety
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Gdańsk is a major Polish port city at the mouth of the Vistula, with yacht berths on the Motława in the old town and at Górki Zachodnie. Across the Gulf of Gdańsk lies the port of Hel, at the tip of the Hel peninsula. Ship traffic is managed by a vessel traffic service.
Poland: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →
Harbour and marinas
VTS Zatoka Gdańska (Maritime Office in Gdynia) works 24/7 on VHF 71, phone +48 58 355 3610. Inside Gdańsk port the Harbour Master's Office (Kapitanat Portu Gdańsk) works VHF 14. Hel port's harbour office keeps a 24-hour watch on VHF 10.
Urząd Morski w Gdyni · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe ▾
Marina Gdańsk (ul. Szafarnia 6, Gdańsk) has 70 berths on y-booms; harbour office (bosmanat) phone +48 58 301 33 78.
Marina Gdańsk · Marina Gdańsk ▾
Local rules
Leisure craft may move in Gdańsk port between the main entrance and the Zielony bridge (and in Port Północny) only with permission from the Harbour Master's duty service, by radio on VHF 14 or by phone. Under sail, only boats with VHF 14 can get permission.
Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe ▾
Speed limits: 7 knots on the Gdańsk roadstead and Nowy Port approach, 4 knots on the Motława upstream of Polski Hak. At Hel and Jastarnia, entry and exit need the Harbour Master's consent and the limit is 5 knots.
Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe ▾
Hazards
The Motława footbridges (to Ołowianka and Spichrzów islands) may be passed only per their light signals. Boats leaving must ask the bridge operators for an opening at least 30 minutes ahead.
Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe · Urząd Morski w Gdyni – Przepisy portowe ▾
Traffic separation schemes lead ships into Gdańsk and Gdynia. The inshore traffic zone may be used by sailing vessels and vessels under 20 m.
Urząd Morski w Gdyni ▾
Arriving from abroad
The Border Guard lists sea border crossing points at Gdańsk–Górki Zachodnie (passenger traffic for sports sailing only), Gdańsk Port and Hel.
Straż Graniczna · Straż Graniczna · Straż Graniczna ▾
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Gdańsk and Hel?
Call MRCC Gdynia on +48 58 620 55 51. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
How do I contact the harbour in Gdańsk and Hel?
VTS Zatoka Gdańska (Maritime Office in Gdynia) works 24/7 on VHF 71, phone +48 58 355 3610. Inside Gdańsk port the Harbour Master's Office (Kapitanat Portu Gdańsk) works VHF 14. Hel port's harbour office keeps a 24-hour watch on VHF 10.
Read before you sail
Nearby destinations
Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com