We make each other better

What can you give to some one who turns ninety? A tiger skin of course – and an overwhelming buffet of cakes

The training ship DENMARK is turning ninety. She was built in 1933 in Nakskov, and soon she will return to her birthplace, where she will be celebrated for four days. To begin the celebration, the Danish Mission to Seafarers has offered to honor the ship’s students at a brief reception.

First officer, Nadja Nitschke is thrilled to see how the students enjoy working together while also being competitors. Another Danish training ship, Georg Stage, is moored next to DENMARK and takes part in the celebration. “We’ve also been neighbors at the annual political festival at Bornholm. Being able to visit each other is always a pleasure.” In recent years, the Danish training ships have increased their collaboration when it comes to recruitment, technical issues, and personnel. “There is no need to be competitors. We can do greater things together,” Nadja Nitschke says while two students slowly cross the deck wearing their iconic white and black caps.

In the Danish Mission to Seafarers we

Vi gør hinanden bedre

Hvad skal man give i 90 års fødselsdagsgave? Et tigerskind og et overdådigt kagebord selvfølgelig

Skoleskibet DANMARK fejrer 90 år. Hun blev bygget i Nakskov i 1933, og derfor er det her skoleskibet ligger til kaj til fire dages fejring med folkefest, åbent skib og reception. Som begyndelse på festlighederne har Sømandsmissionen inviteret sig selv til at fejre eleverne.

Overstyrmand Nadja Nitschke er begejstret over at se, hvordan eleverne griner og slapper af. Eleverne fra skoleskibet Georg Stage ligger til kaj ved siden af og er invite- ret med til festen. ”Vi har ligget ved siden af hinanden til Folkemødet på Bornholm, så det er dejligt at kunne besøge hinanden.” also lift each other up by bringing our different skills and talents to the table during the celebration: Boat building, baking, and hosting competitions. Hanna Pedersen, who works as an educational and social consultant and has cooperated with the Danish training ship enjoys being part of the celebration: “We look forward to seeing the students again when they sign off in Assens, and in the future when they come to visit Danish and Greenlandic harbors on board other vessels.” •

Skoleskibene har de seneste år samarbejdet mere og mere om fx rekruttering, tekniske udfordringer og personale. ”Der er ingen grund til at være konkurrenter. Vi når længere sammen,” fortæller Nadja Nitschke, mens to elever, en med hvid og en med sort hue slentrer småsnakkende hen over dækket.

Også i Sømandsmissionen gør vi hinanden bedre, når vi bringer vores forskellige evner i spil til denne fødselsdagsfejring: At bygge en båd, bage en kage og planlægge konkurrencer.

”Vi glæder os til at møde de unge igen både med goodiebags, og når de kommer sejlende med forskellige skibe i danske og grønlandske havne,” siger en glad Hanna Pedersen, der er relationsmedarbejder. •

The training ship DENMARK

1933: The ship is built in Nakskov, Denmark

Crew: 15 members

Number of students: 80

Length: 77 meters

Width: 10 meters

Draught: 5.2 meters

Number of sails: 26

Ropes: 8,000 meters

Speed (sails only): 13 knots

Main engine: Frichs 357 kW

Aux. engine: Scania 2 x 208 kW

Skoleskibet DANMARK

1933: Skibet bygges i Nakskov, Besætning: 15 medlemmer

Antal elever: 80

Længde: 77 meter

Bredde: 10 meter

Dybgang: 5,2 meter

Antal sejl: 26

Reb: 8.000 meter

Fart (kun sejl): 13 knob

Hovedmotor: Frichs 357 kW

Aux. motor: Scania 2 x 208 kW

On the way to Poland

For the entire winter, a Polish ship has been stuck in the harbor in Aasiaat due to a broken engine. The captain, Grzegorz, has been visiting us at the seamen’s home almost every day, where he has been more than welcome. Grzegorz has many stories to share, and the staff has enjoyed his presence.

Missionary to seafarers Karsten Hald Jacobsen tells: “We were all very moved and proud when recently Grzegorz came by with a gift for us containing a book about the long history of his native country. The book itself is beautiful, and on the opening page, Grzegorz has written a very personal and kind message. To us, the gift is a con- firmation that our work and presence here is meaningful.”

Among other things, Grzegorz writes: “The help I received from you allowed me to maintain contact with my family and stay mentally balanced. Remember that I am leaving a part of me with you here in Aasiaat.” The Polish captain is now on his way home –a journey that takes up to six weeks. •

På vej til Polen

Gennem vinteren har et polsk sejlskib ligget for kaj i Aasiaat, fordi motoren var itu. Skibets kaptajn, Grzegorz har besøgt os på sømandshjemmet næsten dagligt. Han var en velkommen gæst med spændende historier, og mange kolleger har nydt hans selskab.

“Derfor blev vi alle rørte og stolte, da han for nylig afleverede en flot gave til os i form af en bog om sit hjemland Polens 1000-årige historie. Bogen var i sig selv flot, men indeni havde Grzegorz skrevet en meget personlig og inderlig hilsen, som vi- ste os, at vores arbejde på sømandshjemmet virkelig betyder noget,” fortæller sømandsmissionær Karsten Hald Jacobsen.

Grzegorz skriver blandt andet: “Den hjælp, jeg modtog fra jer under overvintring, tillod mig at opretholde kontakten med Polen og opretholde min mentale balance. Og husk på, at jeg her i Aasiaat efterlod en del af mig selv.” Den polske kaptajn er nu stævnet ud for at sejle hjem til Polen. Det tager forventet 4-6 uger med sejl at nå hjemlandet. •

By general secretary Nicolaj Wibe