Nautical Tradition and Culture in Eckernförde Bay

Fjord, ford, bay, gulf: there are many names for the beautiful extensions of the Baltic Sea into the country. Eckernförde Bay is shaped by currents, surf and people. It stretches 17 kilometers to the town that gives it its name.

Stephan Möller is the acting shooting master of the Eckernförder Bürgerschützengilde. He spent a whole year preparing the beach shooting festival and then this: fog, rain and a stiff breeze. Traditionally, the Eckernförde marksmen always shoot at a wooden bird in the direction of the sea at Whitsun. Under strict conditions! And these stipulate a clear view of at least one kilometer out into the bay. The event literally threatens to fall through, for the first time in 449 years.

Around 3,000 soldiers are stationed at the Eckernförde naval base, but only a small group is allowed to call itself an elite unit: the mine divers. They are considered the toughest soldiers in the Navy. Anyone who wants to be one of them has to undergo extreme training. This year, just two candidates made it to the final round. Now they still have to pass the dreaded final exam: running 20 kilometers with marching gear and then swimming ten kilometers through Eckernförde Bay.

The animals at the Eckernförde Squirrel Sanctuary, on the other hand, live in a true oasis of well-being. Sick or injured rodents are brought to Moni Rademacher to recover and return to nature as quickly as possible. Recently, new patients have arrived, including a rather strange creature: thick chest, broad shoulders, not at all typical for a baby squirrel. But Arnold can only stay if he becomes a squirrel. The head of the ward researches the newcomer's medical history. The squirrel (Danish: egern) gives its name to Eckernförde and its bay.

In Eckernförde's city harbor, Luisa Frobel boards a traditional sailing vessel. The teacher is on a ship for the first time in her life. She is to sail around the world for seven months with students and teach on deck. On a one-week trial trip from Eckernförde to neighboring Denmark, the young teacher wants to find out whether she is up to the adventure of a floating classroom. After the test trip, the students will also decide whether they want to sign on.

Видео Nautical Tradition and Culture in Eckernförde Bay канала Free High-Quality Documentaries