Poland : Profile

Facts

• Poland lies on the southern shores of the Baltic Sea wedged between Germany and the Soviet Union, two countries whose territorial ambitions have shaped most of Poland's recent history. Poland was the first East European country to rid itself of Communist rule by democratic means and also put an end to Soviet domination. The process, which started in Poland in the early 1980s, has had reverberations, not only in Europe but all over the world.

• Poland became a member of the European Union on 1 May 2004.

• Cruising in Poland itself is limited to the two sailing areas around the ports of Szczecin and Gdynia, the former in the estuary of the river Oder (Odra), the latter on the western shore of the Gulf of Gdansk.

• Yachting facilities have improved greatly in recent years. There are many yacht clubs that may be good sources of information if help is needed. Best yachting facilities are in the marinas at Szczecin, Trzebiez, Leba, Gdynia, Gdansk and Gorki Zachodnie, where there are considerable local sailing communities. There are good marinas in Gdynia, which is municipal and has four yacht clubs, and in Gdansk on Motlawa River in the city centre.

• Facilities in Swinoujscie are very limited. Better facilities are available at Szczecin where there are two marinas and several yacht clubs.

• Repair facilities also exist in Kolobrzeg yacht harbour, 50 miles east of Swinoujscie. There is a new marina at Dzwirzyno west of Kolobrzeg.

Weather

The most reliable and easy-to-understand weather forecasts and navigational warnings are from Navtex (Stockholm) Wind speed is displayed in m/sec (meters per second). To convert to knots simply double the number i.e. 2-3 m/sec doubled approximately equals 4-6 knots, and to convert to Beaufort half the number, i.e wind speed of 8 m/sec is F4 beaufort.

The Polish coast is covered by a forecast for the Southern Baltic (10) and the South-Eastern Baltic (9). The two areas meet around Ustka. Harbourmaster and Port Control Offices display daily weather forecast and navigational warnings.

Polish Marine Weather Services - Witowo Radio (pronounced vitovo, MMSI 002610210 broadcasts weather forecast for the following sea regions - Western, Southern, South-Eastern, Central and Northern Baltic and Polish Coastal waters. The transmission is announced on VHF Ch 16 at 01.33, 7.33, 13.33, 19.33 UTC and then transmitted on 2720 kHz as well as on VHF Ch 24,25, 26 from the following stations:- Swinoujscie - Ch 25, Kolowo - Ch 24, Barzowice - Ch 25, Rozewie - Ch 24, Krynica Morska - Ch 25, Grzywacz - Ch 26, Kolobrzeg - Ch 24, Rowokol - Ch 26, Oksywie - Ch 26 These stations well cover all the Polish coastal waters, generally from West to East. The transmission usually starts with navigational warnings then the weather forecast follows (about 2 minutes later than the times given above) The transmission is firstly in English followed by the Polish language version. The forecast is given for the next 12 hours followed by the outlook for a further 12 hours. Wind speed in Beaufort scale. The weather forecast is also provided by some local stations.

Weather patterns - during the summer months the predominant winds are from sector SW through to NW with S being most likely. From May to September average wind strengths near shore are 2-5 m/s (Force 2-3), in open sea areas 4-6 m/s (Force 3) Sudden short-lasting squalls and localised short rainfalls are frequent during the summer months.

Winters are very cold, with snow and ice from November to March. June to August are the hottest and driest months. In summer the days are long and the Baltic coast can have pleasant variable breezes.

Main Ports

Ports of entry on inland waterways to/from Germany: Osinow Dolny (Hohensaaten), Widuchowa, Gryfino.

Dziwnow * , Gdansk * , Gdynia * , Gorki Zachodnie * , Hel * , Jastarnia * , Kolobrzeg * , Leba * , Nowe Warpno * , Swinoujscie * , Szczecin , Trzebiez * , Ustka , Wladyslawowo *

*Indicates a port of entry.

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Proof of Competency for European Countries (01 Mar 2010)

European Regulations Regarding Insurance Cover and AIS Equipment  (13 Sep 2009)

The Baltic Sea (10 Feb 2006)

Ten New Members Join European Union (14 May 2004)

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