Young adults venture across the Atlantic on the Gorch Fock, a new sailing expedition.
German Navy's Sailing Training Ship "Gorch Fock" Sets Sail for Atlantic Voyage
The historic sailing training ship "Gorch Fock" of the German Navy is preparing for an exciting journey across the Atlantic Ocean, set to begin in spring 2026. Commander Elmar Bornkessel, who has expressed a deep affection for the ship, will lead the voyage.
The "Gorch Fock" departed from Bremerhaven this morning, carrying 30 young people on board. In Edinburgh, 75 officer cadets of the military service will join the ship, while 60 young people in Amsterdam will join as part of the project "Sea. Gorch Fock. Experience" and sail with it to Wilhelmshaven.
Commander Bornkessel emphasizes that training on board the sailing ship is only a simulation. He believes that the real pressure comes from the necessity of being out on the world's oceans with the ship, exposed to wind and weather. He stresses that core virtues like perseverance, teamwork, and a certain degree of bravery are crucial for combat readiness.
To join the "Gorch Fock" program, one must typically be part of the German naval officer training system. Interested individuals need to complete three months of basic training and one month in a home defense association before joining one of the three six-week travel sections of the "Gorch Fock" America trip. The program for joining the voyage is called Work & Travel (Work and Travel) and has a low entry threshold, requiring a commitment of six months.
After stops in Boston and Halifax, the return journey from Halifax via Iceland to Kiel is planned to start at the end of July 2026. The voyage will conclude in New York on July 4, 2026, for the 250th Independence Day celebrations. Commander Bornkessel does not consider himself a recruiter, but has offered his help with recruiting new talent. He has expressed interest in continuing the program after the America trip and offering 100 places per year.
Despite being a training vessel for German Navy cadets, the "Gorch Fock" continues to hold a fascination for Commander Bornkessel, who believes it brings people closer to seafaring in a unique way. For young people interested in sailing-related work and travel experiences, civilian sailing programs, sail training ships operated by non-military organizations, or commercial tall ship apprenticeships might be appropriate alternatives.
The return to Kiel is scheduled for September 16, 2026, marking the end of another memorable journey for the "Gorch Fock" and its crew.
The historic sailing training ship "Gorch Fock," embarking on an Atlantic voyage, embodies a unique blending of lifestyle, travel, and sports for its crew. Commander Bornkessel, in preparation for the journey, emphasizes that sports, specifically sailing, require perseverance, teamwork, and Courage, essential virtues for combat readiness and seamanship.
For those seeking sailing experiences alongside work opportunities, civilian sailing programs and commercial tall ship apprenticeships can serve as attractive alternatives to the "Gorch Fock" program, offering a continuation of the adventurous and lifestyle-enriching experience.
