The Curonian Lagoon is a bay of the Baltic Sea. The northern part belongs to Lithuania, and the southern part belongs to Russia. The international waterways marking system is used in the harbour of Klaipeda, Curonian Lagoon, and the River Nemunas. It is recommended that yachts sail along a deep channel on the side of the Curonian Lagoon. Sometimes outward lagoon flow causes steeper waves. At the Kiaules Nugara Island (55°39.5'N) there is a high voltage electricity supply line coming from the coast to the side of the Curonian Split (Kuršiø Nerija). The wiring is at the height of 27 m, and on the coast it is only 12 m. Therefore, have the Kiaules Nugara Island on the East side. Waterways in the Curonian Lagoon are marked by the signs lighted during the dark period. The yellow buoys on the south of Nida mark the state border of Lithuania and Russia. The bottom of the Curonian Lagoon is soft and sandy. There are stones at the approach Ventes Ragas (55°20.4'N 21°11.5'E). Dangerous for yachts shallows are charted on the map. Starting from Alksnyne (55°38' N) to Pervalka (55°25' N) fishermen put their hoop-nets, which are seen well during the by regular lines of poles, and less noticeable floating nets with flags at the ends are to the south of Pervalka. Entrance to the Klaipeda harbour starts at beacon No.1 located at 20°59.760'E and 55°43.857'N. Harbour gates are about 2 nautical miles from the beacon on course 272.5°. The harbour lighthouses are already seen from there: the green lighthouse on the southern pier, the red on the northern one, and internal during the dark blinking in 2iso6s mode. It is dangerous for sailing yachts to enter the harbour when west wind (SW to NW) is strong. Because of wave interference the rip gets stronger just before the harbour gates. When sailing, one has to be ready to change the reach at the harbour gates because just after entering the gates you have to take 30° course to the right. There is dangerous currents at the gates and its approaches. It is recommended to keep to the centre of the harbour gates, and to engage supplementary engine. Radiotelephone connections are started on 16 UHF channel, a call sign is "Klaipeda radio-1". Vessel Traffic Service is accessible on 9 UHF channel, a call sign is "Klaipeda radio-5". Border and customs control is at Vite border control post at pier No.26 (on holidays, at pier No.25), on the northern bank of the River Dane. A wather area on the western side of harbour between Curonian Split and deep-sea fairway is intended for yachts. Yachts with draught of 1.7m can sailin the Curonian Lagoon, yet yachts with a draught up to 2.2m may reach Nida on the fairway. Detailed information on water level and sailing conditions may be obtained at Old Castle Harbour or Smiltyne Yacht Club. The fairway starts at the Kiaules Nugara Island which can be passed only from the western side. Sailing in the lower reaches of the River Nemunas you may enjoy astounding nature and the old architecture. The old Uostadvaris ligthouse marks the begining of the Minija- Klaipeda Vilhelmas) channel. The village of Minija (Minge) is an architecture site. The only street in the village is the river, and the means of transport is a boat. Currently it is not possible to sail along Vilhelmas (Klaipeda) channel. Lankupiai floodgate at the Minija junction does not work, and the passage is closed at the entrance in the Klaipeda harbour and Dreverna. Along the Atmata and Šyša rivers you may reach Šilutë harbour. At the entrance of Šilutë harbour you should watch for electricity line (at 9 m). Upstream of the River Nemunas you may visit Rusne, Tilze, Ragaine and Jurbarkas,castles situatet along the River Nemunas, and Kaunas. The waterway in the River Nemunas (Atmata) is marked. The dept of the waterway from Atmata lighthouse to Jurbarkas is 1,5 m, and from Jurbarkas to Kaunas 1.2 m. The dept of the waterway in the Minija and Šyša rivers is 1.5 m. | 
