Joachim Kaiser, who worked as an editor at YACHT from 1969 to 1980, has played a central role in the preservation and restoration of numerous historic ships over the decades. In his home city of Hamburg, he was involved in the founding of the Oevelgönne museum harbour and later the Hamburg Maritime Foundation.
As a board member of the foundation, Kaiser was instrumental in the successful realisation of numerous projects until 2022. These include the preservation of historic working ships of all categories. The extensive restoration of the general cargo freighter "Bleichen" and the retrieval and restoration of the four-masted barque "Peking" are among his prominent projects, which are now considered milestones in Hamburg's harbour and shipping history.
The Ewer Pope
His work, which was reflected not only in the ships he rescued but also in numerous book publications - which earned him the nickname "Ewer Pope" - extended far beyond Hamburg's maritime cultural heritage. Kaiser himself once described it like this:
"Many of the hulls still in existence in the 1970s were barely recognisable as sailing vessels, they either sailed as converted coasters and barges or eked out an existence as trailers and houseboats. My self-appointed task was to inventory these historical objects, regardless of where and in what condition they were, and then to publish a register of them. This task grew into a project of considerable proportions, involving long journeys and international correspondence."
Many hulls were barely recognisable as sailors."
Captain of the "Undine"
For many years, Kaiser also went to sea on his own restored tall ship "Undine von Hamburg" with educators and disadvantaged young people, helping them to start a better life.
"With his visionary commitment and deep attachment to our maritime heritage, Joachim Kaiser epitomises the spirit of our foundation. His achievements are a shining example of how passion and foresight can preserve historical values and make them accessible to a broad public. We are proud to see him honoured in our foundation as one of our pioneers and masterminds," said Dr Claus Liesner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hamburg Maritime Foundation.
Recognising a maritime life's work
The award duly recognises Kaiser's tireless commitment to preserving Germany's maritime heritage.
