Kommandøren
Over the course of fourteen months in 2025-26, Kommandøren underwent a thorough renovation at the shipyard. In line with the original design, we have ensured that the ship is now back at sea, ready to set sail on new adventures for many years to come.
Specifications
| Vessel type | Wooden sailing vessel |
| Vessel name | Kommandøren |
| Delivery | February 2026 |
| Description | Motor sailboat |
| Hull material | Wood |
| Tonnage | 47 BRT |
| Length overall | 20 m |
| Beam | 5 m |
| Depth | 2 m |
| Accommodation | 12 persons |
| Main engines | 1 Doosan L136, 117 kW at 2,200 RPM |
| Auxiliary engine | 1 Panda 8000i PMS, 6.4 kW |
| Speed (knots) | 7 knots |
| Classification | United Kingdom |
A thorough renovation
Kommandøren was built in 1891 in Karrebæksminde as a typical Baltic trader. In 1972-1974 she was 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 saw the replacement of many of her oak frames and much exterior planking, as well as the complete renewal of her transom. She also received a new 20 metre mainmast and a new main gaff.
On deck, parts of the original cargo hatch coaming that were decked over in 1972 were replaced. A new coachroof was laid, with old beams used wherever possible. The wheelhouse was temporarily removed, allowing repairs to the coaming and deck beneath.
Below, her interior was partially renewed, including completely new heads with a shower, while her plumbing, electrical systems and hydraulics were serviced.
As part of the latest renovations at Hvide Sande Shipyard, extensive work was carried out on the deckhouse. The deckhouse frame was thoroughly repaired to ensure its structural integrity and durability. The repairs focused on improving functionality, preserving the vessel’s original character, ensuring safety and promoting the long-term durability of these important systems on board.
Over 100 years of seamanship
The wooden hull has ensured the longevity of the ship for more than a century. Measuring around 20 metres in length, 5 metres in width and with a draught of 2 metres, Kommandøren is a classic example of traditional Danish shipbuilding. With a Doosan L136 main engine delivering 117 kW at 2,200 rpm, she can sail at around 7 knots.
Know-how and skills at the shipyard
“We came to Hvide Sande Shipyard because the skills are here for this type of boat. We have good shipyards and boatyards in Scotland, but they are used to working on scottish fishing vessels, and not this type of boat. So we bring it here because the guys here are familiar with the Baltic trader. And because she is so old, we want to make sure we get it right. And looking at what we took out from the boat, much of it was original, so this is the biggest refit that she has had in 135 years.”
Malcolm Craig, owner and captain on Kommandøren
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.
Gallery
