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Hiddensee Ferry Service Restarts on Emergency Schedule After Low-Water Shutdown

Persistent easterly winds have driven Baltic levels to record lows, creating conditions that could enable a major North Sea saltwater inflow.

Overview

  • Reederei Hiddensee says the ferry Vitte resumed operations at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday under an emergency timetable between Vitte and Schaprode.
  • The operator is running three departures daily in each direction after canceling all services on Monday and Tuesday due to exceptionally low water.
  • The island had been supplied for nearly two weeks by icebreaker as the Vitte underwent repairs for ice damage before briefly returning to service.
  • The Baltic’s mean water level has fallen to record lows since early January, with Sweden’s Landsort-Norra gauge posting the lowest readings since 1886, according to the IOW.
  • The IOW reports a rare oceanographic setup that could permit a major inflow of North Sea saltwater, while local officials prioritize resident access and advise overnight visitors to reserve ferry spots.