Recommendation on navigation through the entrances to the Baltic Sea
The Danish Straits and narrow channels of the Baltic Sea can be difficult to navigate. Strong currents, high winds, low and variable water depths and high traffic density can combine to make transiting the narrow passages without a pilot difficult and may pose a risk to the safe navigation of the vessel and the environment.
Members should be guided by IMO Circular SN1/Circ 263 (Routing Measures Other Than Traffic Separation Scheme) which advocates the employment of a transit pilot by certain vessels depending on their type and draft when navigating through areas of the Baltic Sea and in some cases mandates the use of a Pilot.
Further information on the mandatory use of pilots and IMO Circular on transiting the Baltic region may be found in the attached circular and DanPilot(an independent organisation acting on behalf of the Danish Government and supervised by the Danish Maritime Authority).