The training sailing ship Gorch Fock
Landmark and ambassador
Kiel is the home port of the GORCH FOCK. Officer and non-commissioned officer candidates are trained for further service in the fleet on the navy's sail training ship. Nils Brandt was commander for almost eight years and provides an insight into life with and on the impressive three-master in 15 questions and answers.
Captain Brandt, what sparked your love of seafaring?
In our family, a love of the sea and seafaring is a tradition. From my grandfathers to our own children, sailing has been an important part of our lives.
What memories do you have of your training period on the GORCH FOCK?
As an enthusiastic sailor, it was something special for me to experience my first voyage in the navy on the GORCH FOCK. And to this day, it's the shared experiences on the sail training ship that come to life again and again in the stories at our crew parties and meetings. I only have fond memories of the good things and great impressions.
What does it mean to you to be the commander of the navy's only sail training ship?
In good times and bad. For me, it is a special task to introduce the young people on the GORCH FOCK to seafaring, to let them experience the dimension of the sea and to convey the team spirit that is so important for the operation of the tall ship. However, the long time in the shipyard also showed us as a crew the other side. The ship became ammunition and headlines without actually having anything to do with it. We also had to learn this as a crew and chose the motto "We are GORCH FOCK, storm-tested and sorrow-tested".
How do you and your family cope with the long absences at sea?
My wife - and later our children - were aware of it from the very beginning and our life together was characterised by long absences due to the sea voyages. Our son once asked me why I didn't become a postman. The question referred to the fact that he came every day. There were also moments when I asked myself: "Why am I doing this and putting my family through it?" My wife kept telling me: "It's your job and you enjoy it. It will change again at some point." When I was asked whether I would like to command the GORCH FOCK, my wife knew that this was my greatest professional wish and she was happy for me that it was now being fulfilled. At the time, we couldn't have foreseen that it would be this long.
What is the most unusual souvenir you have brought back from a trip?
I always try to bring back local wines and honey, as these products are also a reflection of the country.
Is there a particularly crazy, funny souvenir about the GORCH FOCK that you have come across somewhere around the world?
There is indeed such a souvenir: at the HanseSail, a woman from the Erzgebirge gave me a handmade GORCH FOCK in a frame. This was really something special, in addition to all the other things that keep coming our way as a crew. Another curious fact is that North Korea issued a stamp featuring the GORCH FOCK in the 1980s.
What do you miss most about being on board - apart from the people at home?
Nothing, it's a great job for me, an exciting workplace with idealistic people and lots of challenges.
What does a normal working day on the GORCH FOCK look like for the marines?
In port, it is characterised by many administrative tasks, personnel management, maintenance and care work, sports and training sessions. At sea with cadets on board, the day begins with reveille, the hammock muster, followed by sea watches, practical and theoretical lessons, clean ship and well-earned rest periods. There is never a dull moment at sea, as the weather is always different.
And how did you spend the long time in the shipyard?
In the shipyard, we were accommodated on the residential boat KNURRHAHN from Kiel. This allowed us to maintain our on-board routines and stay together as a crew. In addition to the daily routine, we also assisted with the shipyard work, for example rigging the masts and rigging. But there were also phases when there wasn't much to do and the future was uncertain. That put a lot of strain on us as a crew.
Are there any traditions or rituals that are important to you and that your crew particularly cherish?
There are a handful of traditions that we cherish as tall ships and marines: Seamen's Sunday, the mizzen sheet, whistling out the daily routines, the hammock muster and one or two other things. All of this creates identification, a sense of community and sometimes also pride.
Is there a memorial plaque for the deceased on board?
The dead and those who remained at sea are always in our hearts; there are memorial plaques for our comrades in Berlin at the memorial in the Bendlerblock.
What annoys you the most?
Doldrums, as they force us to adopt a special maritime composure.
Is sleeping in hammocks a big challenge?
The first few nights in the harbour you have to get used to it, but the first few nights at sea show very impressively how well you can sleep in a hammock in rough seas.
What do you like most about your home port of Kiel?
It's a sailing city, you live on the water, you see water sports everywhere and the lively student atmosphere keeps the city young and attractive.
What is your favourite place on the Kiel Fjord?
On board the GORCH FOCK at the GORCH FOCK pier, right between the inner and outer fjord in the heart of the lifeline.