Museumsschiff FMS GERA

About the museum

The motor fishing vessel GERA, a Type III side trawler, was built at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast and entered service in the fall of 1961 for VEB Fischkombinat Rostock, the East German state fishing combine. Hauling its nets over the side of the ship, the crew fished mainly off West Greenland and Labrador. From the 1980s onward, the vessel was used only for transport and supply runs; its last voyage, in March 1990, took it to Mauritania.

The GERA was then supposed to be scrapped in Portugal. However, the city of Bremerhaven bought her in June 1990 to preserve a testament to German deep-sea fishing. Since 1993 she has been moored at the Schaufenster Fischereihafen and open to the public as a floating museum, managed by the Historisches Museum Bremerhaven. She is considered the last side trawler preserved in Germany.

On board, 17 stations lead through the fishing deck, net room, fish hold and crew quarters. A multimedia guide featuring a virtual captain and first mate, along with films and photo series, describes fishing techniques and the crew's tough daily life; in one of the sailors' cabins, visitors can search a database of more than 1,500 fishing vessels from the region. The ship is dry-docked regularly, most recently in 2018/19 and 2026.

Highlights

• Germany's last surviving side trawler
• Fishing deck, net room and fish hold in original condition
• Multimedia guide with a virtual captain and first mate
• Database of 1,563 fishing vessels from the region (1885–1990)
• Bridge accessible on guided tours

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung auf der GERA – 17 stations spread across the entire ship explain fishing techniques, fishing grounds, sea fish species and working life aboard a side trawler.

Founded

1993

Operated by

Historisches Museum Bremerhaven (Stadt Bremerhaven)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

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

Not accessible: entry via a sloping gangway, many steep stairs on board, no elevator and no accessible restroom. Step-free route from the bus to the ship; several accessible parking spaces opposite.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

During events on the ship there are programs for young and old, such as games about fishing. Access is via a sloping gangway; on board there are many steep stairs and no elevator.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit