Drone restrictions disrupt transport to Haapasaari

Air and sea traffic restrictions have disrupted daily life on Haapasaari, an island about 40 kilometres from Kotka, Yle reports. Delays to the connecting ferry can even mean that residents miss scheduled medical appointments.

The Tekla connecting vessel was able to depart from Kuusinen harbour in Kotka on schedule on Monday morning. The latest restriction on the surrounding sea area and airspace had been in force the previous Tuesday morning.

Passenger Marja Porkka said she checked the restrictions before boarding. She was not particularly afraid of the situation but wanted to know whether the journey might be delayed.

“It is frustrating. I hope the war in Ukraine will come to an end,” Porkka said.

The summer has been unusual in the archipelago off Kotka and Hamina. Finland’s Defence Forces have at times banned movement at sea or in the air altogether to allow combat drones that may stray into Finnish territory to be intercepted safely.

When restrictions are in place, the connecting vessel from Kotka to the archipelago remains in the harbour. Tekla captain Joni Markkanen said the sea area had been closed on four or five mornings.

The restrictions have generally lasted a few hours at a time, usually early in the morning. A restricted zone was established seven times in July and once in June.

Some tourists have been nervous

Residents and visitors to Haapasaari handle their affairs on the mainland. If the connecting vessel is delayed, they may not reach a doctor or another appointment on time.

Despite the restrictions, residents said the summer had been fairly normal. The sound of aircraft has occasionally disturbed their sleep.

Some tourists have been more concerned about travelling to the island. Haapasaari resident Sirpa Ollikainen said one visitor did not come this summer for a holiday at the island school, which provides accommodation.

“When you arrive here, you can notice that we live quite an ordinary life,” Ollikainen said.

She believes the unexpected restrictions and the roar of Hornet fighter jets may sound more alarming from the mainland than they feel on the island. During the restrictions, the Defence Forces have generally also increased border surveillance with Hornet aircraft.

Shop deliveries have continued

Haapasaari also has a small shop. Deliveries to Haapasaari Cooperative Store depend on the connecting vessel, which also transports empty bottles back to the mainland.

Shop manager Sanna Pesonen said the store had coped well with delays, although the schedule had occasionally become tight.

“Sometimes we have unloaded the delivery and served customers at the same time,” Pesonen said.

Food transported in the vessel’s refrigerated container remains cold even when delays last a couple of hours.

Residents want clearer information

People travelling in the archipelago hope information about the restrictions will be easier to find. Jan Eerola, chairman of the Haapasaari Society, said it would also be useful to know when restrictions had been lifted.

Information about the restrictions is available through Fintraffic’s service, but island residents find it difficult to locate up-to-date information. Eerola also questioned whether the information reaches small-boat users out at sea.

Heikki Skippari, who arrived at the guest harbour in his boat, agreed.

“You rarely browse your phone while driving a boat. It is at the bottom of your pocket,” he said.