Tips for the behaviour and rules when paddling on the Mecklenburg Lakes

Right of way

Motorboats always have right of way in the sluices.
In the channels and on the lakes: the cleverer one always gives way in the case of doubt!

Without alcohol at the paddle!

The same rules as on the roads are valid also on the waterways! The driver's license can be revoked for drunkenness!
Therefor also here: zero alcohol!

Drive on the right!

Particularly in the channels and at passing other boats always go on the right side.

Carry life vests!

This is obligation and it is if necessary your best friend!
With us it always is free of charge part of the equipment of our boats!

In storm or at thunderstorm:

Leave the water and wait until thunderstorm is over. Rather arriving a little more slowly, than going down fast.
A special caution is advisable before thunderstorm: the quiet before the storm is deceiving. The thunderstorms (with storm gusts) come very fast and very intensely here!

Prove character at a strong wind:

Paddling always on shore proximity on the side of the waters where the wind comes from.
Rather accept a little longer way on the shore, too.
At long last, the safest way is always the best one!

Take care for your equipment.

Put the boats on the camping sites in the places provided for it at night.
Taking accessories into the tents. Never leave the boats ready for departure in the water.
Order is the best protection from loss or theft.

Contribute already by your tour planning to the protection of the environment:

Pay attention to special rules of driving in the Müritz national park:
lake Woterfitz and lake Caarpsee: route only along the buoys, disembarking (also in the channels between Leppinersee and Bolter sluice) is forbidden!
River Havel from lake Käbelicksee to lake Useriner Sea: Resting and staying over night is permitted only in the expelled places. Please only drive this distance with the flow!

Current changes and inhibitions:

• connections between lake Schwarzer See and lake Zotzensee ("gnat channel") are no longer possibly
• connection from lake Woterfitzsee to lake Hofsee runs through the core zone of the national park - it is also no longer passable!!
• in very old charts a connection from lake Woterfitzsee to river Havel is shown: this connection is no longer passable!!

Current changes you can learn at our station.