For years, the ‘Klaus Störtebeker III’, a sailing yacht over 100 years old, lay forgotten at the Wiesbaden Bridge in Wilhelmshaven’s Großer Hafen, before the non-profit organisation Jadewind e.V. – founded specifically for this purpose – purchased the traditional sailing vessel and is now having it restored from the ground up at the H. Bültjer shipyard in Ditzum. Once the restoration is complete, the yacht is set to be made available to young people again from next summer onwards to promote the sport of sailing, with a particular focus on training regular crews for traditional sailing vessels along the German coast.
Restoration almost complete
Restoration work by the boatyard, which specialises in traditional wooden boatbuilding, is now well advanced. On both port and starboard sides, the top two courses of planking on the hull, the entire hull planking, the coaming and the rubbing strake were removed in order to replace the rotten, damaged frames and frame heads. Hein von Dollart, a former journeyman at the Bültjer shipyard, then cut out the planks using a giant saw, steamed them for around 60 minutes and, whilst they were still hot, bolted them into place with hydraulic power, ensuring a precise fit.
On occasion, the club’s work group was allowed to lend a hand with this work. In order to refit the side timbers and the coaming in accordance with the original plans, elaborate wooden templates had to be made in advance. Only once these had been perfectly fitted were the frame timbers, the coaming and the rubbing strakes sawn from fine woods and fitted into the hull. Original construction drawings by the Hamburg-based designer Heinrich Rabba were used for this part of the restoration. The hull was then completely re-caulked and primed by master boatbuilder Gerrit Bültjer.
Club members are involved
During the autumn months of 2025, the Jadewind e.V. work group dismantled and removed the cockpit tub and the marine diesel engine. The engine was transferred to the Jade Dienst GmbH engine workshop in the spring of 2026, where their technicians will be carrying out a complete overhaul of the engine until July. At the end of July, the Jade Dienst engine workshop will reinstall the marine diesel engine on site.
In the meantime, Hein von Dollart will replace the rotten sections of the cockpit’s load-bearing beams and the cockpit coaming, and overhaul the steering system. Original plans also had to be obtained for this, as the ‘Klaus Störtebeker III’ is to be converted back to tiller steering in accordance with a club resolution.
The bowsprit also needs to be replaced. As part of this process, a specialist firm in Bremen will re-measure the lateral, sail and centre of gravity before the rig is refurbished and adjusted and the new sails are trimmed.
A genuine collaborative project
The Jadewind e.V. work crew has removed the deep tanks, enabling all the iron frames in the deep bilge to be derusted and preserved during work sessions lasting several days. The electrical system was also completely dismantled. In autumn 2026, the interior cabins, berths, navigation corner, galley and wet room will be refurbished. For the association’s work group, this means: sanding, priming, sanding, priming, sanding…
It goes without saying that this major project can only be realised with active support. The long-established company H. Bültjer Bootswerft not only carries out boatbuilding work, but also provides club members with expert guidance on all the tasks they undertake themselves, as numerous club members and volunteers make significant contributions of their own. Generous donors ensure that the charitable association can fulfil all its obligations without incurring any debt. And last but not least, the Hamburg-Cranz shipyard is supporting the project; it was here that the ‘Klaus Störtebeker III’ was launched in 1922 as a gaff ketch under the name ‘Bille III’.
Nevertheless, approximately 150,000 euros in donations still need to be raised before the historic sailing ship can be formally handed over to youth projects under the guidance of Jadewind e.V.
In spring 2027, the “Klaus Störtebeker III” is due to be towed to Wilhelmshaven. Jade Yachting GmbH will install the latest safety electronics in consultation with the DGzRS, and the sailmakers at MWB Motorenwerk Wilhelmshaven GmbH & Co. KG will produce a set of new sails in an antique style.
Jadewind – A club with a future
At present, it is still a small group of sailing enthusiasts who have taken on the project and, with the help of numerous donors and supporters, will carry out the complete refurbishment of the “Klaus Störtebeker III”. However, many more members are still needed to maintain the sailing yacht at its new berth in Wilhelmshaven’s Großer Hafen, and to sail from there across the open seas to distant shores and international youth gatherings.
On board, the trainees independently choose an international classic of maritime literature from the ship’s library to read during their off-duty hours, learn together how to peel and cook potatoes for the whole crew, and begin to deal with situations where action or inaction has immediate consequences. In future, personal development and broadening one’s horizons through practical experience and self-discovery will increasingly be possible once again on the ‘Klaus Störtebeker III’, far out on the high seas.
Training for ship’s captains, cruise leaders and helmsmen
On 4 July 2026, Jadewind e.V. will be organising its first training cruise with a view to establishing a core crew. The cruise will take place on traditional dinghy cruisers in the Jade sailing area. The full announcement and eligibility criteria can be found here:
One of the aims is to obtain the official recreational boat licences (SSS, SHSS), which enable holders to sail traditional sailing vessels as licensed skippers and helmsmen in accordance with the sailing instructions of Jadewind e.V. However, the main focus is on training skippers and helmsmen who are familiar with the home waters and the club’s vessel, who reliably implement the sailing instructions of the Jadewind e.V. Sailing Advisory Board, and who ensure the safety and smooth flow of vessel traffic. To this end, the ship’s command integrates the 10 trainees on board into watch duties using clear orders and pedagogical skill. In accordance with the S.T.A.G. statutes, youth ships are drug- and alcohol-free.
In consultation with the youth section of S.T.A.G. (Sail Training Association Germany), a sailing fee of 80 euros per day is charged (covering the berth, provisions, fuel and mooring fees); trainees and licensed skippers must have been members of Jadewind e.V. for at least one year. Naturally, once the ‘Klaus Störtebeker III’ has been commissioned, regular training cruises for the regular crew will be advertised and organised by Jadewind e.V.
Participation in the Tall Ship Race 2028
On 21 June 2028, the “Klaus Störtebeker III” will set sail from Kiel to take part in the Tall Ship Race 28 to Turku. The ship will also call at Tallinn, Marie Hamm, Szczecin and Greifswald during this international youth event. To this end, Jadewind e.V. will publish a detailed itinerary for the “Klaus Störtebeker III” for the 2028 sailing season for the first time in autumn 2027.
On 2 July 2026, Jadewind e.V. is organising a one-day coach trip to Leer and Ditzum for club members, friends and guests. In Leer, there will be talks on the concept and history of the Leer Museum Harbour, and in Ditzum, a coffee reception will be held beneath the hull of the ‘Klaus Störtebeker III’ in collaboration with the boatbuilders at the Bültjer Werft. Further details can be found at:
The “Klaus Störtebeker III”
“Klaus Störtebeker III” is a two-masted gaff ketch
- Year of manufacture: 1921
- Shipyard: Schierhornwerft in Hamburg-Cranz
- Owner / Ship’s certificate: Jadewind e.V., Wilhelmshaven
- Former names: ‘Bille III’, ‘Coat of Arms of Bremen’
- Home port: Wilhelmshaven
- Flag: German
- Reference number: TS G 379
- The club and the ship are members of S.T.A.G. (Sail Training Association Germany)
- The “Klaus Störtebeker III” sails under the S.T.A.G. flag in accordance with the guidelines of the “Traditional Sailing” World Cultural Heritage programme.
- The non-profit organisation Jadewind e.V. is a member of the LandesSportBund Niedersachsen e.V. and the StadtSportBund Wilhelmshaven e.V., as well as an associate member of the Förderkreis Schulsegeln e.V.
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