Useful addresses and telephone numbers

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Port Service - VHF Channel: 10, 71

Introduction to Wladyslawowo

Wladyslawowo is Poland's largest fishing harbour, with 90 fishing vessels based here catching 25,000 to 35,000 tons of fish a year. PPUiR "Szkuner" manages the Wladyslawowo seaport.

From 1986-1996 the port was thoroughly reconstructed and modernized. All breakwaters were reinforced and rebuilt, a guarantee that the port will be able to withstand the pressure of time and enable it to be used to its fullest potential for some time in the future.

Currently the Wladyslawowo port is capable of delivering services that are provided in all other major ports. Apart from being a base port and a repair facility for fishing vessels, it also hosts a well-developed fish-processing infrastructure, Wladyslawowo is also a refuge port, because it is well situated in the vicinity of the best cod-fishing areas, during stormy periods it becomes a safe haven where several dozen (30-40) fishing vessels from harbours such as Kolobrzeg, Ustka, Dziwnow, Jastarnia head towards. These vessels, while forced to stop their fishing trips temporarily, use the stopover time to complete fill up on food and fuel supplies, and are able to purchase ice and repair any damaged equipment.

On 19^th July 2002 the first stage of the building of the marina in the port was begun: floating jetties with Y-booms and rest facilities for seamen. These changes though not extensive have greatly increased the functionally of the yacht port to 20 units (with crews), with the result that more and more sea vessels have visited Szkuner's marina.

Wladyslawowo port also plays an important role as a tourist resort and a recreational centre. Since 1994 the port has been open to tourists. Everyone is welcome to come and examine the work of fishermen or watch a fishing vessel in the course of construction. A major tourist attraction is "Liwia", a floating fish bar, adapted from an old fishing boat and there are a number of other fish restaurants on the port area. Apart from local attractions, it is also possible to embark on an hour-long cruise on a genuine fishing vessel. Last year approximately 45,000 tourists enjoyed these trips on six assorted sea craft, from fishing vessels to Viking longboats.

In order to acquaint tourists with the harbour's history and the seafaring work that was carried out in the past, the Port Memorial Building was opened in 1998 in the harbour. It houses a museum of fishing and the industry's connection with Wladyslawowo harbour, with miniature exhibits on display. The museum prides itself on having a very large number of unpublished photos from 1935-1995, including the period when the harbour was constructed. One of the most interesting exhibits is a replica of a fishing vessel which general Jozef Haller used for his sea trip a day after "Poland's symbolic wedding to the sea", an event held in Puck bayside harbour on 10^th February 1920.

The port is a favourite for anglers, fishing not only from landing piers but also from the decks of the five vessels that specialise in sea angling.

Every year the annual International Angling Championship takes place for the cup awarded by the "Szkuner" Director in June, and the Cod Festival cup awarded by the Mayor of Wladyslawowo in September.

Many seasonal events are held in the harbour, including "Rybka we Wladku" (Wladyslawowo Fish Days), where you can listen to wonderful music and of course get your hands on some delicious fresh fish. Needless to say, tourism and recreation in the harbour also involve sailing. Apart from prestigious professional events, such as the World or European Championships, amateur sailors are also welcome in the harbour. Every year several hundred Polish and foreign yachts and boats (from the many Baltic States, but also as far away as Great Britain or Holland) visit the harbour.

The port also fulfils a role in the transportation and handling of cargoes, other than fish. Merchant vessels of up to 75 m in length and of 5 m draught may enter the harbour. The port's capacity is sadly not fully taken advantage of in this respect.

The port in Wladyslawowo, just as other Baltic Sea ports, is also a national border post. Customs clearance is performed by officers of the Wladyslawowo branch of Gdynia Customs House.

The port holds a security certificate issued by the Maritime Office in Gdynia, which means that it meets the requirements of the SOLAS convention and ISPS rules.

Navigation information

• Anchorage. The boundary of the anchorage is an arc of a 1 Mm radius circle, described from the northern breakwater pier head. The greatest depth of 6.7 m is situated by the southwestern margin of the anchorage.
• Approach. Having gone past the "WLA" light buoy, lay a 260° course follows a line of the Wladyslawowo day-beacon range. The day-beacon range (dir. 260°) going through the centre of the approach fairway to the port consists of a beacon on the eastern breakwater (approximately 150 m from its pier head), with the tip of the Town Hall tower (Fisherman's House). Depths within this section are variable and amount to 4 m to 6 m. Upon coming up with the northern breakwater pier head, make a turn to the right and enter the harbour through the centre between the breakwaters. The fairway breadth amounts to around 60 m. Entering the port during strong winds from the northern to eastern directions may be difficult. By night, the leading lights (dir. 260°) are provided by: a bottom light on a bouy (on the eastern break-water), an upper light on the roof of the cold store building.
• Warnings. During very strong (exceeding 8°B) and sustained winds from northern to eastern directions, entering the port may be hazardous (side wave on entering). Allowing for the constantly changing depths within the approach area, vessels entering should consult the harbourmaster's office each time by radio on the current navigational and depth information. While on the fairway and until you enter the harbour it is required to follow the indications of the deepsea lead.

Port facilities

The port is sheltered by two break-waters: eastern 340 m long and northern 620 m long. The main and internal entrances are around 60 m wide. The admissible draught of entering vessels may not exceed 4.0 m. Depths within the port vary from 4 to 6 m. Quays, piers and jetties are of the following length:

• Fishery base. Fishing vessels moor at jetties 1,2,3 and occupy a part of the passenger pier and discharge quay.
• Berthing of yachts and cruise ships. The berth for yachts is yacht quay in the western part of the port. The berth is to be assigned by a representative of the harbour radio service. In the summer season, the northern berth is occupied by cruise ships.
• Repairs. The repair shipyard carries out repairs and the overhaul of fishing vessels and other lesser vessels. The shipyard uses the fitting-out quay as well as a repair jetty and a slip jetty. A marine railway is available for vessels up to 30 m in length and dead-weight tonnage of up to 220 tons.
• Deviation dolphin. Located on jetty 3. Determination and compensation of deviation using the dolphin is available to vessels of up to 25 m in length.
• Harbour facilities and equipment. The port is equipped with stacking yards, a railway siding and a travelling crane of 18 tons. A slipway for yachts of up to 12m in length. There is a possibility to connect to a power source. Bilge water and oiled water discharge point. The use of diving and towing services are also offered
• Supply. Food supply services are available. Fuel and lubricant supply can be acquired at the fuel quay. Water may be drawn at the discharge wharf.

Pilotage

The requirement to use pilot services applies to 50m and longer ships. The pilotage is carried out in daytime from dawn till dusk, (after dusk the harbour master's consent is required). Ships advancing to Wladyslawowo should give an ETA to the harbourmaster within 24 h before arrival in the roads.

Any request for a pilot has to be made by radio 2 h before the planned arrival into the harbour's roads.