The Bohlwerk in Flensburg's museum harbour was packed this Sunday lunchtime. Of course there was a long queue in front of Ben's fish sandwich stand, but most people were standing in front of the Dagmar Aaen.

In perfect sunshine, family and friends had gathered to see the Ocean Change crew off on their new expedition leg. The lines were cast off punctually at 1.00 p.m. and then they set off on the Flensburg Fjord to the sound of the horns of many museum ships. Pete Sage, the charismatic violinist from the band Santiano, even accompanied the Dagmar Aaen on his boat as far as the Ox Islands.

There are currently eight of us on board our old lady. Arved and his wife Brigitte, of course, our smut Thomas, boatswain Ole, machinist Herrmann, Jan as the expert for the scientific measuring instruments on board and me (Matze) as the woodworm and scribbler. Cameraman Heiko is also on board for the first few days. He is filming an extensive portrait of Arved on behalf of ARTE/NDR, which is expected to be broadcast in spring 2026.

Our route takes us eastwards through the Danish South Sea to Stralsund, where we are scheduled to be one of the attractions of the Baltic Sea Day.

(Matze)