LIFE ON BOARD

Ship "Oosterschelde" is loved by many sea and nature lovers. Our guests go on a sailing cruise for an active and direct introduction to the sea and sailing in beautiful sailing areas and its great flora and fauna. All cabins are equipped with a sink with cold and warm running water. Showers are in the common area. In the spacious and cosy furnished salon there are reading tables, sitting areas and a piano. The floorheating and a wood-burning stove provide a pleasant temperature. Every day the captain or helmsman will inform you about the progress of the journey. There are enough seats and sofa's to write a letter or read a book. The library offers books about the sailing, plants, animals and of course... sailing ships. Life on board is made even better by the excellent meals prepared by our professional chef.

EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY

The tallship "Oosterschelde" is equipped to sail worldwide. For this, the ship has all safety certificates that are required by law. The competent and experienced crew guarantees safe sailing. Every sailing area requires special preparations. In more isolated areas there are hardly any facilities to repair something or purchase parts. We then have to make do with what is on board. Drinking water is on board as we can make it from seawater. Food is taken in just before the departure of each expedition. In addition, around 15,000 liters of diesel oil will be bunkered for heating, generators and the main engine. On board are two rubber boats with an outboard motor and a wooden sloop for transport to shore. For safety, there are life jackets and life rafts, fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems and a very extensive medicine cabinet.

THE CREW

The crew members all have extensive sailing experience at sea and in most cases sail full time on the "Oosterschelde". Of course the crew has all the required degrees and experience. For theme tours in special areas, the crew is supplemented with (nature) guides. These guides have been specially selected for their extensive knowledge of plants, birds, marine animals and / or history of the area. The atmosphere on board is informal.

SHIP HISTORY

Tallship ‘OOSTERSCHELDE’, The three-masted top sail schooner was built in 1917 as a sailing cargo ship. The ship sailed the European waters and was regularly found along the Moroccan coast and on the Mediterranean Sea. A bigger diesel engine was installed in 1930 and from that moment the rigging was gradually reduced. From 1939 the ship Oosterschelde sailed under a foreign flag and a thorough renovation in 1950 changed the ship into a modern coaster. In 1988 the sailing vessel "Oosterschelde" was brought back to the Netherlands. The Rotterdam Sailing Ship Foundation was established to raise funds to restore the ship to its authentic state. Many enthusiastic individuals, companies and institutions contributed and made the restoration a great success. Sailing ship the "Oosterschelde" is the last remaining three-mast top sail schooner of the large fleet that once sailed under the Dutch flag. The ship is recognized as a monument with great cultural and historical value. The "Oosterschelde" provides its own maintenance and is used all over the world for presentation and promotion activities of companies and institutions. In addition, the ship makes journeys along interesting coasts that can be booked individually here at www.Atlasail.com.