“Shipnapping” in Großenbrode: Who fished the “Adelheid” out of the Baltic Sea?

On 3 October 2026, Thomas Reichelt set his model sailing boat, the “Adelheid”, adrift off Großenbrode on the Baltic Sea. According to police reports, between 3.00 pm and 3.30 pm, a motorboat approached the small wooden vessel. One person is said to have leaned over the railing and taken the model on board. The motorboat then sped off in the direction of Fehmarnsund.

Reichelt had launched the RC model boat in the shallow moorland area near the shore. At the time of the incident, the model boat is believed to have been approximately 500 metres off the coast. The owner tried to attract attention by shouting and gesturing, but to no avail.

A homemade mahogany sailing boat

For Reichelt, the model sailing boat ‘Adelheid’ is more than just one of many RC boats. As he told NDR, he has been building model ships for around 50 years. His collection comprises around a hundred models, including just two sailing boats. ‘Adelheid’ is his favourite sailing boat.

According to his own account, he built the blue and brown fuselage from mahogany. The model is about 80 centimetres long and approximately 1.20 metres high in total. According to the published details, the remote control has a range of up to two kilometres.

The white sail featuring a red figure and the Hamburg flag at the stern are particularly striking. Two Hein-Blöd figures, dressed as sailors, are standing on deck. The police also mention these features in their Public appeal for information regarding the model sailing ship ‘Adelheid’, which shows a photograph of the boat in question.

Großenbrode Police are appealing for information

The ports in Heiligenhafen and Orth were also informed. Following the publication of the police appeal, neither these leads nor the search on social media had, as yet, led to the return of the model. The information provided does not explain why the unknown person took the boat on board.

The police in Großenbrode are investigating on suspicion of theft. Anyone who saw the motorboat on 3 October or can provide information on the whereabouts of the “Adelheid” is asked to contact the police on 04367 310.

Have you spotted the ‘Adelheid’ out at sea or in a harbour? Please report any information regarding its whereabouts directly to the Großenbrode police.