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Hanse Sail Rostock 2022
In Rostock they speak of "return to old strength" and self-confidently designate themselves as "the largest traditional sailing event in the world". What criteria serve as a benchmark here is another matter. What you can definitely attest to the Rostock organizers is the intention to reorganize, revitalize and continue to develop an event which is rich in tradition. And so new areas of experience, especially those in Warnemünde, are particularly emphasized in the conclusion to this Hanse Sail. Who wanted to visit all of these once had a lot to do for the four days.
Hanse Sail Rostock 2022
Sailing in Rostock
Steam icebreaker "Stettin"
Unfortunately, the Hanse Sail Rostock is not (any longer) the event for the really big square-rigged ships. The large sailtraining ships from Russia, which have always
been an attraction here, are sorely missed. Meanwhile a very loyal guest is the "Dar Mlodziezy". Together with the German sailtraining ship "Gorch Fock II"
the passenger quay in Warnemünde was used and they also offered trips for sailing with guests. The Polish sailtraining ship "Iskra II", well announced as a guest, was located in the
naval base "Hohe Düne", but then largely hidden when you did not want to go the longer way.
As a long-time partner of the Hanse Sail Rostock, the German Navy used the event for several public presentations. Finally the restored "Gorch Fock II"
could be inspected and the cadets took the opportunity after a day of sailing to clear up the square sails in the harbor under the observation of many Hanse Sail visitors.
I felt that as a very clever maneuver for getting more attention. Thanks!
Cadets at the "Gorch Fock II"
"Gorch Fock II" at the quay
When actually the last festival for medieval ships took place?
In Warnemünde, anyone who wanted could watch some great sailing trips by the Hanseatic cogs. For them, the wind was ideal on several days to sail along the pier heads
under full sail. The "Ubena von Bremen", the "Hanse-Kogge" from Kiel, the "Wissemara" and the Pomeranian cog "Ucra" participated this year.
However, what I missed a bit was a coordinated picture of the medieval ships on the river Warnow or even on the Baltic Sea. These pictures are probably available only at festivals for medieval ships?
The last of this kind took place unfortunately a long time ago. But what speaks against using the Hanse Sail Rostock for these meetings? Four captains would have to vote. And you don't
need to wait for the organization by the Hanse Sail team. I'm sure that guests sailing on board would be thrilled and a photo on all the front pages of the press would be guaranteed.
Who will take the initiative next year?
Pomeranian cog "Ucra"
Hanseatic cog "Ubena von Bremen"
As in the years before, the Hajkutter kicked off the Hanse Sail in Rostock with their own event in Nysted and a regatta across the Baltic Sea. This Hajkutter festival took place this year too. And it is (unfortunately) already part of the tradition that the wind is often not strong enough to reach Rostock by boat only under sail during the regatta. There were hajkutters on the Hanse Sail. Unfortunately, these were not presented together on the water. In my point of view, this is a missed opportunity for more attention especially for the German ships operated under the directive for traditional sailing. Years of reprisals by German authorities have, however led to the fact that in many cases the cutters no longer belong to the official traditional fleet today, but sail completely privately as long as it is still possible.
Hajkutters off Warnemünde
Hajkutters without Wind
Hajkutter regatta
We will remember this Hanse Sail as sunny. Plenty of sun, but also good wind for sailing lured the sailing ships with their guests onto the water off Warnemünde.
There are said to have been a little more than 100 sailing ships from seven countries in Rostock. As in the year before, I mainly have seen those ships that offer
guest trips, especially the Dutch fleet. The Hanse Sail Rostock is known for the fact that many of the participating sailing ships have several guest trips per day.
The focus is on earning money for the maintenance of the ships with the trips.
A well-respected guest this year was the brig "Roald Amundsen". On Sunday she had a match race with the 3-masted topsail schooner "Thor Heyerdahl".
The organizers of the Hanse Sail Rostock state that the attraction of the sailing ships to people is unbroken. But then it turns out the question of what is being done
to ensure that sailing ships visit the Hanseatic city. Which of the sailing ships will come and see the Hanse Sail in Rostock in the coming years again? This year too,
there was the proved support service for ships: a direct contact person for every larger sailing ship. Indispensable! However, in order for larger ships to come into
the port again in the future, the quays must be made accessible for them and visitors. Where should tall-ships dock in the future? From my point of view, nothing has been done here.
And do we have to fear that grounding in the city port will increase in the future because the city port is getting more and more silted up?
In this year I have missed the areas of experience on the water. Sailing with guests is important and a trademark of the event, but it is not all what would be possible
and what we have seen even in Rostock in the years before.
Sailing trip of "Ryvar"
Sailors at "Roald Amundsen"
Schooner "Joanna Saturna"
Tjalk "Engelina"
One highlight this year was definitely a visit at the Warnemünde light house.
Where do you take photos of sailing ships at the Hanse Sail Rostock?
Be in the right place at the right time!For a beautiful sailing ship photo, it is extremely important to be in the right place at the right time. The following tips describe where you can go to to take sailing ship photos at the Hanse Sail Rostock.
Which idea are you pursuing for a photo?
You are certainly pursuing a certain idea for your photos. Photos are often intended to serve a specific purpose. My photos are primarily intended for the tallship-fan data collection. You could see them as passport photos or as pin-ups. Inclined ship lovers also like to call them captain's pictures. It's about the ship in a side view or slightly from the front, the ship if possible under full sail and filling the picture.
I recommend a planned approach!
For some of us it may be attractive to let ourselves drift, just go there and then see which sailing ships are showing up. Sometimes I do that too, but mostly I plan my approach. For example, I check the program booklet and the Website of the Hanse Sail Rostock. Most often I write down the names of the most interesting sailing ships on a small piece of paper as a little checklist.
At which berth does a sailing ship start?
You should definitely check the event map, especially if you've never been in Rostock before.
There are many berths in the city port of Rostock, some in the former fishing port in Rostock-Marienehe, a few in Warnemünde on the passenger quay, in the marina Yachthafenresidenz "Hohe Düne"
and in the Navy port.
Especially in the evening hours I have taken a lot of photos of figureheads in the city port.
In my opinion, Marienehe is ideal as an industrial port for a "steamship meeting". Sailtraining ships from other nation's navies are often docked at the naval base.
A position with a splendid view...
...definitely is the Warnemünde lighthouse. The low entrance fee is worth it. You can watch the harbor entrance up to the passenger quay at two heights. Long focal lengths for the lenses on the camera are highly recommended!
...or rather close-by?
Go to the pier heads in Warnemünde! East mole in the morning, west mole in the afternoon. The change with the ferry takes at least 1 hour and can, due to the frequent crowding with other visitors, cost detours. At the pier, I'm waiting for the sailing ships that start a day trip from the city harbor and have to pass here. With a good lens, it's also easy to take pictures out at sea. You have a firm footing on land or can use a tripod for blur-free recordings.
By boat on the river Warnow
At least once per Hanse Sail I go with a passenger ship from the city harbor to Warnemünde. The suburban train might be faster, but that way I don't have to leave the water, always looking for a good photo. Depending on the weather, the sailing ships already set sail on the river Warnow or come up the river under sail. You can also see service vessels, for example the tugboats or I listen to the skipper's stories. They are always well informed of what is happening on the water.
Use an AIS tracker!
With the help of an AIS tracker you can determine the position of ships, their velocity, and the route. This information is available on mobile devices too so that you can prepare a photo at the quayside.
Sail!
Not a secret: Rostock is an ideal port to board one of the sailing ships and enjoy a trip. You don't need locks on the Baltic Sea and the cruise on the river Warnow offers photo motifs too. Which sailing ship you take for this would be a separate topic. I prefer a long trip on an agile sailing ship, where you have some space on deck. From my experience I know which skippers avoid the hustle and bustle on the water, which I tend to look for, and who if possible not just set an alibi sail. Sailing ships are also calmer in wind and waves, which aids in photography.