Maritime Days begin in Bremerhaven with ships and festivities

Bremerhaven is celebrating its Maritime Days, an event expected to draw over 400,000 visitors and feature more than 40 ships. The festival, which runs until Sunday, transforms the harbor into a hub of maritime activity, allowing attendees to explore various vessels and interact with sailors.

This year's event showcases a diverse fleet, including the tall ship "Alexander von Humboldt II" returning to its home port. Spain is represented by the historic three-master "Nao Victoria" and the cargo sailer "Pascual Flores." Other notable ships include the restored barge "Johanna" from Hamburg, the cargo sailer "Gesine von Papenburg," and the steamship "Welle," known for breaking ice on the Weser River. Visitors can also tour specialty vessels like the motor ship "Franzius Plate" with its excavator, the "Taucher bremenports" for underwater work, and the lightship "Elbe 1."

For those wishing to experience the water, various tours on the Weser River are available aboard ships such as the "Großherzogin Elisabeth," the three-master "Gulden Leeuw," and the flat-bottomed boat "Verandering." These excursions offer half-day trips with views of the harbor and river.

On land, the festival includes musical performances by artists and shanty choirs on two stages, as well as the Neus Festival featuring electronic music. A street food festival offers global cuisine, while the "Freibeuterdorf" provides entertainment with street performers and artisans. This area is located in the Kaiserhafen this year.

However, the event's layout has been adjusted due to the closure of historical swing bridges, which are crucial for escape and rescue routes. Consequently, the traditional grand fireworks display on Saturday evening has been canceled for safety reasons. A Ferris wheel has been set up on the Seebäderkaje, offering a new perspective over the harbor and the Weser.