Finland - Restrictions

Restricted Military Areas:

Special permission is needed for voyages through or stops in restricted military areas. The general fairways, marked on charts, which lead through restricted areas may generally be used without permission by foreign vessels for a direct passage without stopping. Yachts must remain within these fairways unless one has special permission to leave them. A foreign vessel may only stop in a restricted area in case of emergency. Yachts may anchor for not more than 48 hours within a restricted area at special designated anchorages and moorings. Permission to stay within a restricted area or to move outside of a fairway must be applied for to the Military Area Headquarters or local coastguard authorities.

More detailed information on restricted areas can be found in the Ministry of Defence's publication "Restricted areas on the Finnish coast" (Suoja-alueet Suomen rannikolla). For latest updates on areas restricted to pleasure boat traffic refer to Navy Headquarters Tel:09 181 24311

Nature Conservation Areas:

There are numerous nature conservation areas where landing and anchoring are forbidden either all year round or during the bird breeding season (1 April-31 July). These restrictions are marked on the nautical charts and on shore. Sailing is permitted in the national parks of the Archipelago Sea, Tammisaari archipelago, the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, Bay of Bothnia, Linnansaari, Koli, Päijänne and Kolovesi. However, national park rules and regulations, including some speed limits and landing restrictions, must be observed.

Compulsory Equipment:

According to Finnish law, approved lifejackets must be carried for everyone on board. This means that lifejackets have to be onboard but wearing them is NOT REQUIRED (although may be wise). The boat must also be fitted with a fire extinguisher, water emptying equipment, anchor and oars or sweep.

Navigation:

The public has the right of free access to outdoor areas, as well as the duty to preserve and not to interfere with nature. One should not anchor close to an inhabited stretch of shore nor land without the owner's permission. Fires should not be lit ashore nor any garbage is thrown overboard.

Fishing:

All fishing (except angling with a handheld line or rod without a reel for casting and restrictions on the lure) requires an official licence, which may be bought from any post office or bank. Also, permission must be obtained from the owner of the fishing rights. Most waters in Finland are under private ownership. Information on local fishing regulations can be obtained from tourist offices, and restrictions on fishing gear and times will be given when applying for the licence.

Holding Tanks:

All Finnish flagged yachts are required to be fitted with a toilet holding tank capable of being emptied via a deck fitting at a pump-out station. Yachts flying the flags of other countries are not compelled to be fitted with such tanks. All yachts, including foreign-flagged visiting yachts, are forbidden to discharge sewage within Finnish territorial waters (limit of 12NM from the shore).

Finland has a variety of equipment for pumping out holding tanks. In the larger harbours, electric vacuum pumps are often in the vicinity of the fuel station. These are easy to use. Smaller harbours may provide portable equipment (tank on wheels with a hand pump) which have the advantage of boats being able to remain at their berths - useful in bad weather.

Other:

The Finnish Coast Guard has the right to stop and search all pleasure boats in Finnish territorial waters. The code flag L is the stopping sign, which may be given visually or by sound.