Planning a sea trip to the Solovetsky archipelago always begins with clarification of logistics, and the key node here is the boat-stationWith islands in the White Sea isolated, where telephone service can be unstable, the availability of up-to-date contact information for port services becomes critical to crew safety. Many boatmasters planning a trip to the region for the first time mistakenly believe that you can find a vacant seat at the berth at any time, but at peak navigation, the situation changes dramatically.
The main difficulty is that the infrastructure of the ports is constantly being upgraded, and the contact numbers of dispatch services can change depending on the season and the load of the lines. Reference service Ports are often congested, so it is important to know not only the main number, but also alternative communication channels, including radio channels and contacts of private carriers, which also serve passenger traffic. boat-station telephone and related contacts.
Special attention should be paid to the differences between a cargo port, a passenger terminal and small berths for yachts and boats. Incorrect call of a dispatcher can lead to a loss of time or even a penalty for parking in the wrong place. We will discuss in detail how to contact the right service, which city codes to use and how to act in emergency situations when standard voice communication is not available.
Current contacts of port services and dispatchers
For successful docking with the shore, the skipper must have a list of direct control numbers at hand. pierThis is where you should call first to check for vacant seats and get a permit to moor, and the control room usually operates around the clock, especially during navigation from May to October.
However, relying on only one number is risky: in the case of technical failures on the line or high traffic congestion of operators, it is advisable to use backup channels. Often, contacts of private carriers or taxi services on the water are more accessible, and through them you can transmit a message to the port administration. Mobile communications on the island catches confidently, but in stormy weather there are interruptions, so the numbers should be saved in advance.
⚠️ Attention: Do not attempt to moor yourself to cargo berths without the consent of the port administration, this may result in damage to the boat by large vessels or the imposition of an administrative fine.
Below is a table with the basic contact details that are relevant for the current navigation season, save them in the phone book before going to sea.
| Service/Division | Appointment | City code | Phone number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger jetty | Mooring of yachts and boats | +7 (81835) | 90-345 |
| Cargo port | Only for cargo operations | +7 (81835) | 90-112 |
| Reference port | General matters, timetable | +7 (81835) | 90-228 |
| Rescue service | Emergency water assistance | Single number | 112 |
The main communication channel for small craft is the control room of the passenger berth, but in stormy weather use a radio channel or satellite phone.
Rules of mooring and reservation of a place at the pier
The procedure for entering the port of Solovetsky is regulated by strict port control rules. Before dialing the control room number, the captain of the vessel must be ready to provide accurate data about his vessel: dimensions, draft, number of people on board and planned parking time. Reservation of a seat In summer, it is carried out several days and sometimes weeks before the expected arrival, especially when it comes to weekends.
When you call the boat station, clearly state the type of boat you have. PVC inflatable boats And small aluminum boats often have separate sectors that are far from the landing zone of large boats, and this is done for safety reasons, to avoid collisions with the wave from passing boats. If you're traveling on a large yacht, you may be offered a place at the outer mole, where the depths allow you to get closer.
At night, port entry may be restricted or require special permission and lighting of the vessel according to the MPPSS-72The dispatching service will check whether your vessel is equipped with navigation lights of appropriate brightness, and the lack of communication with the shore at the time of approaching the port does not relieve the master of the responsibility for safe parking.
- 🚢 Check the depth at the chosen pier in advance, as the tidal zone in the White Sea can change the bottom picture.
- 📞 Have a (backup) communication source, such as a satellite phone or a radio set up for a port wave.
- ⚓ Be prepared for the wait: during peak hours, the vacancy of the seat can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
- 📜 Keep boat documents and identity documents for all crew members to pass border control (if required).
Features of navigation and communication in the White Sea
Navigation in the area of the Solovetsky archipelago has its own unique features related to geographical location and climate. Tidal phenomena So here's a very strong word: water levels can change by several meters during the day, which means that the depths of the waters should be fixed by the time of day, and what was deep in the morning can become stranded by the evening.
The quality of mobile communications on the islands is generally good, the coverage is available to the main operators, but it is not solid. Far from the village, in the skerries, communication can disappear completely. mobile For online maps or instant messengers is not possible. Radio communications It is the most reliable way of communication between boats and shore services.
⚠️ Attention: In the fog, which on the White Sea can fall instantly even in clear weather, the use of sonar and radar is mandatory.
VHF radios are recommended to communicate with coast services and other vessels; port services monitor certain channels, and radio calls often pass faster and clearer than voice calls; and the radio channel provides up-to-date information about weather conditions, which can change faster than the data on the site or in the help desk.
Keep the coordinates of all official berths of Solovki in advance, as in conditions of poor visibility or fog, visual search for the entrance to the port can be difficult.
Seasonal operation of port infrastructure
The work of the boat station and port services Solovkov is pronounced seasonal. Navigational period It usually opens in late May and lasts until late September or early October, when all phones are operating normally and dispatch services are staffed with the maximum number of operators, and during this period, the most relevant request is the "boat station solo phone", since the flow of private boats is maximum.
During the winter, when the White Sea is frozen, regular water traffic is cut off, port facilities are preserved, and service phones can be switched to watch mode or turned off altogether until spring. If you plan a winter visit by icebreaker or snowmobile, contacts need to be specified separately in the settlement administration, since the standard logic of summer navigation does not apply here.
The off-season (April, November) is unpredictable, the ice may still hold or it may already go, storms are frequent, and the schedule of the moorings may change daily. telephone availability Port services may be limited and rely only on direct arrangements with local residents or tourist bases that have their own communication channels with the port.
Why is it hard to get a call in the summer?
During peak season (July-August), the number of calls to the reference room exceeds the capacity of the lines, operators do not physically have time to answer all calls, priority is given to emergency services and large passenger boats.
Alternative means of communication and emergency cases
If all the boat station phones are busy or not answering, don't panic. There are several alternative ways to get the information or help you need. administration of the Solovetsk settlementThe island has a private boat community, where the owners of guest houses and tourist camps are always aware of the situation on the dock and can help with contacts or even meet the boat.
In emergency cases, when it comes to a threat to the life or safety of the boat (bug, person overboard, fire), time to search the number in the reference room should not be spent. Rescue services They react instantly and coordinate with the port through internal channels without the participation of the boatmaster.
You should also consider using satellite phones, especially if you are away from the island, and you can contact the coast services of the Arkhangelsk region via the satellite, which will redirect your call to Solovki, which is a fee, but in a critical situation the price of the issue does not matter.
- 🆘 The 112 number works even without a SIM card and without your carrier signal if there is a signal from any other network.
- 📡 Channel 16 VHF range monitored around the clock rescue services.
- 🏨 Hotel concierge services often have direct port service numbers that bypass general reference.
☑️ Preparation for port call
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I anchor in the bay without permission from the port?
Formally, the water area of the port is regulated by the rules: it is forbidden to anchor outside specially designated places (anchorages), since it can damage underwater communications or interfere with the maneuvers of large boats.
Does the communication work on all operators on Solovki?
The main federal operators (MTS, Megafon, Beeline, Tele2) have coverage in the village and port area, but in the skerries and far from the island, communication may be completely absent, it is recommended to have SIM cards of different operators.
What city code do I need to dial to call the Solovka port?
The region code is 81835, and when calling from a mobile number, you must dial +7 (81835) then the subscriber number.
Is there a fuel station for outboard motors on the dock?
At the passenger berth, fueling for private small vessels is usually not carried out or limited, and this issue needs to be clarified separately with the port fuel service or with private suppliers, whose contacts may vary.
What to do if the boat station phone is constantly busy?
Try calling in the morning (before 9:00) or late evening, and you can also try contacting the village administration or using the radio channel to call the port service.