- Hanse Sail meets expectations with almost 500,000 visitors
Sun, Wind, and Hanse Sail: Nearly 500,000 fans of large ships and maritime flair attended this year's Hanse Sail, keeping visitor numbers stable at last year's level, a spokesperson said on the final day of the maritime event, which took place for the 33rd time.
Around 16,000 people booked trips on a total of 138 ships that had sailed in for the event. Perfect sailing conditions prevailed, except for Friday.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) opened the Hanse Sail on Thursday, which is considered one of the world's largest gatherings of windjammers and traditional sailing ships. More than 100 traditional ships were on display along the quays and at sea, including the German Navy's "Gorch Fock" for the third year in a row. On land, around 200 artists performed on 20 stages.
However, there were some incidents: Some ships had to cancel due to engine trouble at short notice, affecting nearly 600 guests. "Fortunately, we were able to accommodate almost all of them on other ships," a spokesperson said.
A skipper and his guests had to be rescued from his yacht after a medical emergency. According to police, the skipper had four guests on board that afternoon, but none of them could take over steering after the emergency. Officers from the water police then safely brought the yacht back to the harbor, and a doctor took care of the skipper.
A day before the Sail's opening, a tender of the German Navy caught fire at sea for unknown reasons. It was supposed to accompany the Navy's appearance at the Hanse Sail. The two crew members were slightly injured. The fire occurred about 1.5 nautical miles off the coast of Warnemünde.
The Commission, in its efforts to support maritime events like Hanse Sail, may seek assistance from the Member States. Despite some technical issues, the successful organization of Hanse Sail proved that the Commission's assistance by Member States is crucial.
