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Are the Kattegat and Skagerrak part of the Baltic?
Short answer
Geographically the Kattegat is the passage between the Baltic and the North Sea,
while the Skagerrak belongs more to the North Sea.
For your cruise, though, what counts is how the cruising limits in your policy describe both
waters.
Sail east from the British coast towards Scandinavia, or come up through the Kiel Canal and the Danish belts, and sooner or later you pass Skagen between the Kattegat and the Skagerrak. Where exactly the Baltic ends is not settled in one way. The Kattegat is often treated as a transition area still counted as part of the Baltic, while the Skagerrak between Denmark, Norway and Sweden is generally treated as part of the North Sea. Other divisions draw the line at the northern tip of Denmark at Skagen.
For a skipper this is not hair splitting. The Skagerrak behaves like the North Sea: currents, a short steep sea when the wind blows against them and weather that changes quickly. Crews arriving from the sheltered western Baltic easily underestimate it, and crews crossing from the east coast of England arrive tired after a long North Sea passage. Plan the rounding of Skagen with a suitable weather window and expect noticeably more sea in the Skagerrak than in the Kattegat. The West Swedish skerries and the south coast of Norway are the reward.
In the policy, only what is written in the cruising limits counts. If the wording simply says Baltic, it is unclear whether the Skagerrak is included, and after a claim that is exactly what gets argued over. Before you set off, read the exact description of your cruising area, check whether it names the Kattegat, the Skagerrak and the Norwegian coast, see where a North Sea area ends to the north, and ask for an extension in writing if any of them is missing.
Skagerrak sea state: why the waves build so quickly
The Skagerrak sea state has a reputation, and it is earned. Water flows out of the Baltic along the Swedish coast, while a current runs along the Danish coast towards Skagen, and the two meet and turn in the Skagerrak. When a strong wind blows against these currents the sea becomes short, steep and confused far quicker than the wind strength alone would suggest. After a period of westerly winds, swell from the North Sea adds to this.
Near Skagen and over the shallower banks off Denmark the waves steepen further, and they can break in conditions that would be uncomfortable but manageable in deeper water. The Kattegat to the south is shallower again and builds a short, choppy sea of its own. Treat a forecast of fresh wind against the current as a reason to wait, even if the wind strength looks moderate.
Skagerrak wind and weather forecasts for sailors
Weather in the Skagerrak usually arrives from the west, with fronts coming in off the North Sea and the wind backing and freshening ahead of them. Conditions can change within hours, and the wind is often stronger in the open Skagerrak than in sheltered harbours along the coast. Read the forecasts for both wind strength and direction, and think about how that direction meets the currents around Skagen.
The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian meteorological institutes (DMI, SMHI and met.no) all issue marine forecasts and gale warnings for the area, and comparing them gives a better sense of how certain a forecast is. For a passage, look at the trend over the next days rather than a single forecast, and keep a reserve in the plan for waiting in harbour.
Tides in the Skagerrak: small range, strong effect of wind
Tides in the Skagerrak are small compared with the English Channel or the North Sea coasts of Britain. Water levels and currents are driven much more by wind and air pressure: a sustained wind can raise or lower the water noticeably along the coast and push the currents harder than any tidal stream. For crews used to tidal planning this is the reverse of home, because the tide tables say little about what the current will do tomorrow.
That makes recent weather important. After several days of strong wind from one direction, expect stronger currents and changed water levels, especially in harbour entrances and over shallow banks. Local current forecasts from the meteorological institutes, where available, are more useful here than tidal predictions.
Rounding Skagen under sail: the reef off Grenen
Off Grenen, the northern tip of Denmark, a long shallow reef runs out to sea, and the sea breaks on it in strong wind. Rounding Skagen therefore means keeping well clear of the point, following the buoyage and not cutting the corner to save time. The area is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in northern Europe, with ships under way and at anchor off Skagen, so keep a good watch, use AIS and plan the rounding in daylight if possible.
The harbour of Skagen is a natural stop to wait for a window, take on supplies and rest the crew before the crossing to Norway or Sweden. Choose a moderate wind that is not against the current, with a forecast that stays stable long enough for the passage, and decide beforehand at what point you would turn back.
Worth remembering
Kattegat
usually still Baltic
Skagerrak
usually North Sea
For the cruise, what counts is the wording of the cruising limits.
Questions
What owners ask us about this
Is the Skagerrak part of the Baltic?
Geographically usually not; the Skagerrak is mostly counted as part of the North Sea. The Kattegat, on the other hand, is often treated as part of the Baltic or as the transition into it.
Am I insured in the Skagerrak if my policy says Baltic?
That depends on the wording. If it names only the Baltic, ask for written confirmation that the Kattegat and the Skagerrak are included before you sail there.
How far north does a North Sea cruising area reach?
Each wording sets its own boundary, often a line on the Norwegian coast. If you plan to sail beyond it, ask for an extension of the cruising limits in writing.
Where can I find a forecast for the Skagerrak?
The Danish, Swedish and Norwegian meteorological institutes (DMI, SMHI and met.no) issue marine forecasts and gale warnings for the area. Comparing them shows how certain the forecast is.
When is a good time to round Skagen?
In moderate wind that does not blow against the current, ideally in daylight, with a forecast that stays stable long enough for the passage. Keep well clear of the reef off Grenen.
Related
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