Mytilus (english)

The Mytilus e.V. association was founded in 1983 by former PBN youth group leaders and other committed sailors who wanted to continue to support youth work and participate in community tasks even after their active time. This gave rise to the idea of preserving a historic sailing ship and opening up this world of experience to youth groups who otherwise have little to do with seafaring. The ‘Mytilus’ association offers youth groups the opportunity to gain experience on a traditional sailing ship. Scout groups have always been known for their adventurous voyages. For them, ‘going on a trip’ not only means having a destination in mind, but also consciously ‘travelling’ with the willingness to get involved in new situations. Sailing using traditional seamanship adds a new dimension to this.

The ship

The Mytilus was built in 1939 in Tönning as a wooden shrimp cutter. The association bought the ship at the beginning of 1987 and sailed on the Elbe and Baltic Sea for two years. It then became increasingly clear that the wooden hull was in urgent need of renovation. Gradually, so many defects came to light that the originally planned renovation between 1989 and 1996 was replaced by a new construction based on the historical model. The Mytilus is rigged as a gaff cutter. Her historical role models sailed and fished on the North Sea at the turn of the century. Mytilus has a mast on which up to five sails (mainsail, foresail, jib, flyer and topsail) can be set. All sails are operated from the deck. The ship offers space for twelve people including the ship’s command.

On board

Anyone descending the companionway will find themselves directly in the mess, the central lounge for the crew. The galley is also located here. The best menus are conjured up here in harbour. But at sea, preparing a hot meal for the crew requires some skill. The cooker tilts with the ship, so you have to be skilful to keep the contents in the pots. A large table provides space for the entire crew. This is where the next day and the destination are discussed, where people cook, eat and sing. The groups sleep in the foredeck. There are eight fixed bunks and two additional bunks. Large pieces of cloth can be stretched in front of the bunks. They are called bunk sails and prevent the sleepers from tumbling out when the ship sails at an angle. The chart table, the navigation instruments, the ship’s technology and access to the engine room are located in the stern. The skipper and the boatpeople also live there. Calm anchoring, setting sails, rowing, lazy sailing, navigating, exploring the shore with the dinghy, swimming or simply lazing around – life on the Mytilus has it all. But above all fun.