Museumschip Amandine

About the museum

The Amandine (O.129) was launched on 27 September 1961 at the yard of Richard Panesi senior in the Visserijdok in Ostend. The ship was built for the shipping company of Engel Verhaeghe and his son-in-law Pieter Vincent, and was named after Verhaeghe's wife, Amandine Danneel. On 20 March 1962 it set out on its first voyage to Iceland, where it fished in summer; in winter it sailed to the North Sea and the Channel.

The Iceland fishery came under pressure from the extension of Iceland's territorial waters and the Cod Wars. As a result, the Belgian Iceland fleet steadily shrank from the mid-1970s onwards. In 1993 the Amandine was the only ship still fishing off Iceland. On 3 April 1995 the ship entered the port of Ostend for the last time. The shipowner Willy Versluys and the city of Ostend agreed to set the ship up as a museum.

The ship is 36 metres long and 6.7 metres wide, has a fish hold of 65 tonnes and a 510 hp engine. There was room for ten crew members, but it always fished with eight. Around 2020 the museum ship needed a thorough renovation: the hull was sandblasted and repainted, leaks were sealed and welds repaired. Since then multimedia installations have brought life on board vividly to life, while keeping its authentic character.

Highlights

• The last Belgian Iceland trawler, built in 1961–1962
• Furnished scenes and multimedia installations about the hard life on board
• “IJsland op leven en dood” guided tour for the whole family
• Engine room, quarters and fish hold of a real Iceland fisherman
• Combined ticket with the sailing ship Mercator

Permanent exhibition

• IJslandvaarder Amandine – The furnished ship shows, through scenes and multimedia installations, how the crew of an Iceland trawler lived and worked.

Founded

2000

Admission & discounts

Payment at the entrance to the ship, preferably by card. A guided tour is charged separately (excluding admission tickets); the rates are on the page for schools and groups.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A good level of fitness is required: to board you have to climb stairs to the gangway, and on the ship there are stairs and narrow passages. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs with a certificate.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Visit Oostende calls the ship child-friendly. The “IJsland op leven en dood” tour is meant for the whole family (children from primary school age); for schools there are tours for children from age 4.

Getting there & parking

The Amandine lies directly opposite the station on the Vindictivelaan: cross the lifting bridge over the Natiënkaai and the ship is immediately on your right. By car you reach the city via the E40.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit