A thorough renovation

Kommandøren was built in 1891 in Karrebæksminde as a typical Baltic trader. In 1972-1974 she converted from a cargo ship to a tour ship and reverted to her original Baltic Ketch rig. Over the course of her visit in 2025, extensive repairs have seen the replacement of many of her oak frames and much exterior planking, as well as the complete renewal of her transom. She also got a new 20 meter mainmast and a new main gaff.

Over 100 years of seamanship

The wooden hull has ensured the longevity of the ship for more than a century. Measuring around 20 meters in length, 5 meters in width and with a draught of 2 meters, Kommandøren is a classic example of traditional Danish shipbuilding. With a Doosan L136 main engine with 117 kW at 2,200 RPM, she can sail at around 7 knots.

From cargo ship to tour boat

Kommandøren is a Baltic Ketch, originally built for cargo shipping. She had a load capacity of 49 tonnes and was once part of the merchant fleet along the Danish coast. Today, Kommandøren no longer sails with cargo, but with passengers as a tour boat. She has participated in numerous maritime festivals and has been based in the UK since 2010.

Where heritage meets modern demands

Originally built as a fishing vessel in 1927 at the Hjørne & Jacobsen shipyard in Frederikshavn, Carmelan embodies a rich maritime legacy. Restoring a nearly century-old wooden vessel required a deep understanding of traditional shipbuilding techniques, combined with the expertise to integrate modern safety and operational requirements.

As Carmelan embarks on her next chapter – including occasional transatlantic voyages – her restoration demanded a careful balance between preserving historical integrity and meeting contemporary performance expectations. The result is a vessel that honors its heritage while incorporating modern features, such as beautifully finished interiors and milled ornamental detailing in the hatch chambers.

Comprehensive restoration

The owners of Carmelan sought to preserve this historic wooden vessel while adapting it for use as a representative vessel to act as an ambassador for traditional seafaring, especially in the Baltic region. However, her initial condition required an extensive restoration, making this project one of the most ambitious wooden ship refits undertaken at Hvide Sande Shipyard.

One of the key challenges was sourcing high-quality timber suitable for shipbuilding – a task that involved extensive research and market sourcing. The successful acquisition of the right materials ensured the structural integrity and authenticity of the restoration.

A vessel with a story

First launched as Kristian, Carmelan was originally built for the Danish fishing industry before being sold to a German owner in 1978. Since 1989, she has served various roles, from youth sailing and chartering to extended voyages. Today, Carmelan is owned by a non-profit organization.

Over its long history, the Carmelan has gathered many supporters who are committed to preserving the ship and promoting traditional shipping in the Baltic Sea, including Hans-Julius and Iver Ahlmann, managing partners of the ACO Group, a leading watertech company based in Schleswig-Holstein.

With this restoration, Carmelan stands as a testament to Hvide Sande Shipyard’s dedication to preserving maritime heritage while ensuring vessels remain seaworthy and fit for modern demands.

History of the lightship XVII

Lightship XVII Gedser Rev has a rich history that spans over more than a century. The ship was built in 1895 at the N.F. Hansen shipyard in Odense and was originally stationed at Lappegrund near the entrance to the Øresund. It served as an important navigation point for ships sailing through the treacherous waters around Gedser Rev, south of Falster – Denmark’s southernmost point.

During World War II, the ship was confiscated by the German occupying forces and moved near Kalundborg but returned to its position at Gedser Rev after the war in 1945.

Throughout the Cold War, Gedser Rev played a role in the escape from East Germany. Many East Germans attempted to flee across the Baltic Sea towards Denmark, and at least 50 were rescued by the lightship.

Preserving maritime heritage

Each year, when Fulton af Marstal begins her annual maintenance ritual at Hvide Sande Shipyard, the partnership is a testament to the mutual trust and dedication between the ship’s crew and the shipyard’s craftsmen.

After more than 30 years of cooperation, we are still proud to be a part of preserving the maritime heritage that inspires future endeavors in shipbuilding and restoration.

Seamless coordination

Captain Jakob Jensen, who celebrated his 20th anniversary as skipper in 2022, testifies to the seamless coordination between Fulton’s crew and the shipyard, praising our ability to address maintenance needs promptly to ensure that Fulton’s service was not interrupted.

Shipyard CEO Carl Erik Kristensen echoes these sentiments, fondly recalling the hard but rewarding work carried out during the cold winters.

Restoration at Hvide Sande Shipyard

In the winter of 2018/2019, Elbe No. 5 underwent a significant restoration at Hvide Sande Shipyard. This extensive project was commissioned by a new circle of owners, Stiftung Hamburg Maritim, in Hamburg, determined to return the schooner to its former glory.

Our craftsmen replaced over 100 frames, each carefully designed and crafted according to individual templates. Additionally, more than 1250 meters of cladding were renewed, and a completely new keel was installed.

All these efforts were made using specially purchased and stored oak, ensuring the authenticity and durability of the work

History of Elbe No. 5

The history of Elbe No. 5 is as rich as the waters it once navigated. Constructed by H.C. Stülcken & Sohn, the schooner was launched as a pilot schooner, a role it fulfilled until 1924.

After retiring from pilot service, it was purchased by author Warwick Tompkins in 1928, who transformed it into a cruising yacht and sail training vessel, christening it the “Wander Bird”.

The vessel made numerous transatlantic crossings and even sailed around Cape Horn to San Francisco Bay.

Eventually, it became a houseboat in Sausalito, California, before being restored and returning to its home port of Hamburg.

In 2026, the historic yacht Wyvern once again arrived at Hvide Sande Shipyard for a new phase of renovation and maintenance. The work focused on essential structural and craftsmanship-intensive tasks, including recaulking of the teak hull and painting of deckhouses and masts.

These upgrades were carried out with a clear objective: to preserve the vessel’s seaworthiness while maintaining full respect for its original design and protected heritage status. Each process is executed with precision, combining traditional shipbuilding methods with modern technical standards – ensuring that Wyvern remains operational for years to come.

Tasks carried out during the 2026-stay:

• Recaulking of the underwater hull
• Installation of additional bolts in the hull
• Removal of old bottom paint
• Minor repair of the keel straps
• Cleaning/washing under the floorboards
• Checking hull through-hull fittings
• Inspection of the masts
• Painting of masts, booms, and spreaders
• Painting the hull
• Installing additional bolts in the hull
• Removing old bottom paint
• Relocating the bilge pump further down into the bottom
• Engine service
• Sanding and varnishing hardwood on the deck
• Inspection of drawers

The 2026 renovation was not the first time Wyvern had been entrusted to Hvide Sande Shipyard. In 2013, following a sinking incident in the Baltic Sea during the 2013 Tall Ships’ Race, the vessel underwent a comprehensive restoration at the yard.

The project included a complete renewal of all interior outfitting, where accommodation areas were rebuilt from the ground up. The work demanded a high level of craftsmanship to faithfully recreate the yacht’s original character while integrating necessary upgrades for safety and durability.

The successful restoration in 2013 enabled Wyvern to return to service as a fully functional leisure yacht – preserving both its operational capability and historical