Refuelling in Heligoland and biofuel questions

jimi

jimi

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Is this significantly cheaper is the first question? The supplementary is whether there is any biofuel content (with it being part of Germany) and the 3rd is what's the problem with biodiesel for marine use?
 
It's over twelve years since I refuelled there and can't remember what the price was. It used to be round the corner in the harbour where the ferry passengers are unloaded. What you need to look out for is the cost of water which is desalinated and horrendously expensive.
 
We are going there in late June, thanks for the tip! I gather it's a big duty free centre, don't know about fuel, but there were threads here about biofuel a while ago; it definitely seemed to be a risk.
 
We've used German diesel a lot in the last two years, and had no problems with any bio content. In fact, our previous boat ran a lot better when we converted to road diesel, than it had on red. Our present boat has only had continental taxed diesel or UK road (white, taxed) diesel in it since launch. I doubt that any reasonably modern engine will have problems with the proportion of bio in white diesel - after all, when did you last hear of a car suffering from diesel bug?
 
AliM said:
We've used German diesel a lot in the last two years, and had no problems with any bio content. In fact, our previous boat ran a lot better when we converted to road diesel, than it had on red. Our present boat has only had continental taxed diesel or UK road (white, taxed) diesel in it since launch. I doubt that any reasonably modern engine will have problems with the proportion of bio in white diesel - after all, when did you last hear of a car suffering from diesel bug?
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AliM
The problem as I understand it is that biodiesel contains a proportion of water. Left to settle for any length of time this will separate out and any diesel bug will thrive in the interface between the water and the diesel. There is talk of biodiesel having a "shelf life" of three months or so. Not a problem for most cars which will use their fuel in a matter of days, but a bit of a potential problem for boat owners leaving their boat stationary for sometimes a matter of weeks.
IIRC At the Cruising Association last month one of their technical guys said that all German diesel now has to contain 7% biodiesel. If this has not caused you any problem in the last two years maybe it is because you use your diesel regularly? Or maybe you have just been careful with condensation and other water contamination and not been unlucky?
 
UK is 5%


Resolution said:
AliM
The problem as I understand it is that biodiesel contains a proportion of water. Left to settle for any length of time this will separate out and any diesel bug will thrive in the interface between the water and the diesel. There is talk of biodiesel having a "shelf life" of three months or so. Not a problem for most cars which will use their fuel in a matter of days, but a bit of a potential problem for boat owners leaving their boat stationary for sometimes a matter of weeks.
IIRC At the Cruising Association last month one of their technical guys said that all German diesel now has to contain 7% biodiesel. If this has not caused you any problem in the last two years maybe it is because you use your diesel regularly? Or maybe you have just been careful with condensation and other water contamination and not been unlucky?
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johnalison said:
The crater from one bomb, maybe a Tallboy, is one of the tourist attractions. There is some B&W film somewhere of the detonations.
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That is really interesting - we may be stopping off there in May/June this year. The bombing raid on Heligoland was obviously massive:

"Heligoland



A topic that is probably not talked about that much. On the 18th and 19th of April 1945, the RAF launched devastating air raids against Helgoland. This small island in the North sea had no real tactical importance. There was an airfield on the smaller island {only able to take around a dozen or so Messerschmitt BF109T's}, and a U-boat pen on the main island, which could hold three subs. In fact, the pens were used more often than not to shelter E-boats and sometimes Sprengbootes. The island had various coastal gun and flak emplacements. There was a civilian population of around 1,900. The war in Europe had move far beyond the reaches of Helgoland, yet on the 18th April, 969 aircraft - 617 Lancasters, 332 Halifaxes and 20 Mosquitos attacked the naval base, the airfield and the town on this small island. The bombing was accurate and the target areas were turned almost into crater-pitted moonscapes. This attack took place between 12.25 and 1.55 pm. 3 Halifaxes were lost. The second attack was carried out the next day between 5.08 and 5.36 pm by 36 Lancasters of 9 and 617 Squadrons, which attacked coastal battery positions at Heligoland with Tallboy bombs. All targets were hit and no aircraft were lost. On the island, there were over 100 killed, mostly military personnel. Most of the civilians had taken refuge in the tunnels and caves around the island. The infrastructure of the island was ruined so much that the fortress commanding officer requested the evacuation of the civilian population. This took place during the nights of 19th and 21st April 1945. "
 
The biggest explosions were after the war. Apparently, 6,700 tons were set off on one occasion, making one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever created.
 
Karouise said:
Do you need to go to mainland Germany first then on to Helgoland or can you sail direct there from another EU country?

Something in Reeds (only got 2007 version at home) about Customs being passport control only.

Looks a nice little challenge to sail there from Brightlingsea.
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Hello mate from personal experience don`t worry, just steam in there. Please get lots of duty free,you will be unlucky if you meet the HM. Who won the war anyway.
Edited to add: strap yourself in on the approach, we relaxed on the approach and were nearly flung out by dirty cross swells.
 
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You can't clear into Germany via Helgoland, so coming direct from UK is not an issue. If you sail to mainland Germany from Helgoland, you will have to clear in as if coming from a non Schengen country when you get to the mainland.

Brush up your Deutsch, the HM has no English.

Be advised that, on spring low tides, there is less than 1 metre depth at the refuelling berth.

If time is short, you can get diesel in cans from a pump at the chandlers located on the right hand side of the road leading into town from the harbour. Use only cans marked for use as fuel containers(required by law).

If you go sightseeing, from the harbour, you will pass the hospital which has been built inside the crater left by one of the WW2 Tallboy bombs.

Lots of duty free booze, cigarettes, jewellery etc. However, be aware of the personal allowances for importing goods into EU countries when you get to your next port of call.

When in German waters, do NOT, except in emergency, transgress any rules re Traffic Separation Lanes, Inshore Traffic Zones or Nature Reserves.
" Befehl sind Befehl" and it will cost you dearly. If you have to, clear it with the relevant VTS first. Although the buoyage is very good,a chart plotter is virtually a necessity in order to ensure compliance.

Helgoland is the only German North Sea harbour which is accessable in all wind strengths and directions. All others are subject to varying conditions of wind and tide, even the approaches to Emden,Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven can be very iffy in strong onshore winds against a strong ebb.

Hope this helps,

Andy
 
Andy thanks top advice. Have you ever gone right up to Hamburg? I would like to find a cheap or free mooring to squat for a few nights to do the Reeperbahn whatever,24' loa 5' draught,see the sights such as ship museums and the red light district any tips cheers Jerry
 
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