Driver training: What you should bear in mind when travelling on the Wadden Sea

High and low tide, tidal navigation and prick paths - for some inland or Baltic Sea skippers, navigating the tidal waters is a closed book. In addition to the purely navigational challenges, there are also other things to consider when navigating the Wadden Sea.

The popular Wadden Sea practical training courses organised by the Lower Saxony Motorboat Sports Association (LMN) provide help and practical tips.

The training includes:

1. Requirements for the boat
2. Navigation rules
3. Basic rules of navigation
4. Typical local navigation signs
5. Mandatory and helpful boating equipment
6. Calculation of water depths and departure times
7. Trip planning for the tributary rivers

The course starts on Friday, 11 April at 6 pm and runs until Sunday, 13 April at around 4 pm. The theoretical part will take place at the Emsland Sports School in Sögel on Friday and Saturday, on board the cutter and in practice on Sunday from Neuharlingersiel. Price per person incl. catering, cutter trip and hotel in a single room: € 364.00, in a double room: € 342.00. There are still a few places available. Information under www.lm-n.de or by telephone on 05404-3041.

• The official navigation rules for the Wadden Sea can be found here.

The programme

Friday

• 6.00 pm: Welcome, introduction to the topic, special features of the Wadden Sea
• 8.00 pm: Dinner together

Saturday

• 08.00 am: Breakfast together
• 09.00 am: Training (1st part) at the Haus des Sportes
• 12.30 pm: Lunch together at the hotel
• 2.30 pm: Training (2nd part) at the Haus des Sportes
• 6.30 pm: Dinner together, get-together in a maritime atmosphere

Sunday

• 06.30 hrs: Breakfast together
• 07.30 am: Trip to the training ship. The departure time depends on the tides and may vary slightly.
• 09.30 am: Cast off for practical training on the ship (approx. 5 hours)