Feuerschiff Borkumriff
The last crewed German lightship, moored in Borkum's Schutzhafen harbor – today a technical monument and information center for the Wadden Sea National Park.
About the museum
The BORKUMRIFF was launched in 1954 at the Norderwerft Köser & Meyer shipyard in Hamburg and entered service in 1956. For just over three decades she lay at anchor some 30 kilometers northwest of Borkum, her light marking the approach to the Ems estuary on one of the main shipping lanes of the German Bight. She was the first lightship whose superstructure and lantern mast were made entirely of aluminum.
She was decommissioned on July 15, 1988, marking the end of the era of crewed German lightships. As early as 1989 the ship returned to Borkum's Schutzhafen as a national park ship. The program is supported by the town of Borkum, the friends' association Förderverein Feuerschiff Borkumriff, and nature conservation organizations; the association takes care of preserving and maintaining the ship.
Today the BORKUMRIFF is a recognized technical heritage monument and also serves as an information center for the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park (Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer). Inside the hull, an exhibition links the history of lightships with the nature of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, biodiversity at sea, and topics such as offshore wind energy and bird migration. The ship is still seaworthy and occasionally sails to other ports; in 2007 she served as a filming location for an adaptation of Siegfried Lenz's novella "Das Feuerschiff" (The Lightship).
Highlights
- Walk-through lightship from 1954 with an aluminum lantern mast
- Exhibition on the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site inside the hull
- Guided ship tours as listed in the events calendar
- Nature excursions to the beach, dunes and salt marshes
- Civil wedding ceremonies in the officers' mess
Permanent exhibitions
- Nationalpark-Ausstellung im Schiffsrumpf – The exhibition connects the technology and history of the lightship with the nature of the Wadden Sea and shows why the World Heritage Site needs to be protected.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Nationalpark-Schiff Borkum (Stadt Borkum, Förderverein Feuerschiff Borkumriff e.V., NABU Niedersachsen, WWF Deutschland)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Children and young people aged 6 to 17 |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Children up to 5 free. |
| Groups | –Groups by appointment only. |
| Families | €162 adults with up to 4 children. |
| Guided ship tour (adults) | €8.50Reduced €3, family €19.50; dates in the events calendar. |
Price for exploring the ship on your own during opening hours. Nature excursions have separate prices depending on their length.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ship is listed on the "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All) platform with detailed accessibility information. Nature programs for people with special needs (e.g. wheelchair-friendly paths, Easy Language) by arrangement.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €16 · 2 adults with up to 4 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
Children's program "Mit allen Sinnen an Bord des Feuerschiffes" (On Board the Lightship with All Your Senses) for 6- to 10-year-olds (approx. 1 hour).
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Nationalpark-Feuerschiff
Borkumer Kleinbahn bus to "Nationalpark-Feuerschiff"; island railway to "Fahrhäfen" (approx. 15-minute walk); from the town approx. 6.5 km via bike path no. 6 "Reededamm"; from the youth hostel approx. 10 minutes across the footbridge.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Civil wedding ceremonies every third Friday of the month in the officers' mess; corporate events and official celebrations through the friends' association Förderverein Feuerschiff Borkumriff e.V.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | A guided tour of the ship takes about an hour. Nature events on board and on the island all year round (beach walks, salt marsh excursions, talks); educational programs for groups on request. |
