Traffic on the federal waterway of the Trave is monitored by the Travemünde Traffic Control Centre. Day and night, experienced navigators sit in their control centre right on the Trave promenade. They use the latest technology to ensure that shipping runs smoothly from Flensburger Förde to the Buk lighthouse near Kühlungsborn. In the Trave estuary alone, more than 50 large ships arrive and depart every day – from huge passenger and freight ferries which dock at Travemünde’s Scandinavia Quay and pleasure boats to international cruise ships. By the way, all ships 60 metres in length or longer and 10 metres wide or wider require pilots. The marine and harbour pilots bring 2 pilot boats for the job. A few sea miles before Travemünde, command on the bridge is briefly transferred to the pilot until the ship is safely in the harbour. The same applies when the ship leaves the harbour again. 20 pilots work in the pilot station in Travemünde, and the shift operation runs round the clock.