Video library
You will get the best impression of the Eye of the Wind in moving pictures and under full sails! In this video archive we have compiled the best selection of the most impressive and funniest clips for you. In our extensive Youtube playlist you will find up-to-date footage, but also clippings from the several Hollywood appearances of the Eye of the Wind such as movie scenes from "White Squall" (1996).
In this context, please also note our Liability for Links.
Audio library
The tyfon of the Eye of the Wind is used as an acoustic signal during manoeuvers under engine, as a warning signal during foggy weather or simply as a friendly salutation between ships, wishing each other a good and safe voyage. Use the sound of the ship's tyfon as a distinctive and maritime ringtone for your mobile phone. Download the audio files for free just by clicking on the particular image.
The ship's bell of the Eye of the Wind serves as an acoustic signal during foggy weather, and it also indicates the lenght of the chain during an anchoring manoeuver. In the old days the bell was also used to indicate the time of day. In one scene of the Hollywood-movie "White Squall" this bell with its engraving WHERE WE GO ONE - WE GO ALL plays an important role. In the audio file you hear the spoken words "Where we go one - we go all" and two double-chimes of the bell. Striking the bell that way means either 2 o'clock, 6 o'clock or 10 o'clock. It also indicates that the shift for the watch in command is halfway over. The audio file has a lenght of approximately five seconds. Download the audio files for free just by clicking on the particular image.
Meet our staff!
Friendliness, experience and expertise distinguish our international crew. For the captain and his crew, the safety and wellbeing of our guests always come first. The people aboard the Eye of the Wind and their functions in the ship's company - have a look at their portraits.
We are permanently looking out for friendly and seaworthy staff to be added to our on-board crew. At irregular intervals we hire new staff members for all available positions. If you are interested in joining the international and well-rehearsed team of the Eye of the Wind, please contact us any time. Just send us an informal letter of application and tell us about your sailing experience, your professional qualification, and what position or job you are interested in.
As a general rule, the participation in one of our so-called training-trips is required in order to work aboard the Eye of the Wind. After receiving your application we will send you further information and also forward your inquiry to the permanent crew on board. If you wish to send us your CV or any other documents, please use PDF or DOCX files only.
Positions and jobs on board
We look forward to receiving your unsolicited application
First Mate (m / f)
We are seeking an ocean going, 200 GT or above qualified mate, preferably with a background in sail training and charter sailing. Familiarity with traditional ships, including extensive square rig experience, is essential. Applicants should be energetic, and able to fit comfortably into a young, international team of people with varying levels of experience.
Your responsibilities include standing navigational watches, maintenance of safety and navigation equipment, medical kit, as well as active participation on deck in all activities and maneuvers in the operation of the ship. This includes coordinating the operation and maintenance of all components of the rigging as well as general ship maintenance; in addition, also the care of the maximum 12 guests, and overseeing and supporting interior stewardship.
You will work in an on/off system of approx. three months on board / three months off (1:1 rotation).
Requirements:
You have a valid STCW Basic Safety Certificate and a valid ENG 1 seafarer medical fitness certificate, in addition to ocean going 200 GT or above qualification. You act responsibly, in a service-oriented and friendly manner. In addition, you have the necessary physical requirements to work as a sailor on board a seagoing vessel. An extensive experience of sailing and maintaining square-rigged sailing vessels is required, and you can competently convey your expertise to our crew. Good English or German language skills are required for communication with staff and guests.
As a charter vessel, the Eye of the Wind is operating in appealing areas, with an international on-board crew of 10. A prerequisite for a permanent employment contract is your willingness to get to know your workplace and our crew members during a trial week on board. Have we piqued your interest? We look forward to receiving your application with CV and certificates at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Machinist (m / f) or Ship Mechanic (m / f)
Your responsibilities include the operation, maintenance and repair of all technical systems on board as the engine, drive system, generator, electrics, pumps, piping systems as well as waste management and support of “deckhand” activities when needed.
Requirements:
You have completed vocational training as a marine or agricultural mechanic / or in a comparable education and ideally a qualification as a "deckhand" (sailor) with the required certificates. We offer you the opportunity to acquire the deckhand qualifications subsequently. We will inform you about the necessary conditions for this, if required.
You will work in an on/off system of approximately 3 months each. You will meet our up to twelve guests and fellow sailors in a service-oriented way and in a friendly tone. Our permanent crew of approximately ten people is an international team, the board languages are English and German.
Have we piqued your interest? We look forward to receiving your application with CV and certificates at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ship's cook (m / f)
In this position, you are responsible for the preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner for the maximum twelve guests and about ten people crew on board as well as for provisioning and advance planning. In a rotation system of about 2.5 to 3 months, you will switch with the second ship's cook.
Requirements:
You have a valid STCW Basic Safety Certificate. You act independently, responsibly, service-oriented and in a friendly tone. In addition, you have good organizational skills and the physical conditions necessary to work as a cook on a seagoing vessel. Earlier professional experience in the charter business is desirable.
Good English language skills are required for communication with staff and guests.
Have we piqued your interest? We look forward to receiving your application with CV and certificates at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the tall ship Eye of the Wind
The Eye of the Wind is a gem among the last original, historic tall ships of our time.
The oceangoing ship has spent more than 100 years on all the oceans of the world, and is still being sailed in a traditional way - by hand.
On these pages, you can find out more about our crew, the technical specifications and the history of this "sailing Hollywood Diva," which has already featured in several films!
A sailing legend
More than 100 years ago, a sailing legend was born: in 1911, the Lühring shipyard at Brake/Germany built a topsail schooner, which was baptised by her owner, captain Johann Friedrich Kolb from Fockbek near Rendsburg, with the name "Friedrich". In March 1924, the ship was sold to the ship owner Axel Ageberg in Kalmar in Sweden and was named "Sam." Only two years later she was acquired by the shipping company KH Hendriksson in Stockevik/Sweden. After a Jönköpings-two-strike engine was fitted, she became a motor schooner and spent 30 years criss-crossing the Baltic and North Sea as a cargo ship "Merry."
In autumn of 1955, she ran aground in a heavy storm on the Swedish west coast. The wreck was salvaged, repaired and put into operation as one and a half masted schooner "Rose Marie," at times deployed for drift-net fishing off Iceland. The ship, which was now exclusively engine-powered, changed her owner twice in the 1960s, and "Rose Marie" became "Merry" again.
On 21 January 1970, a fire destroyed the ship's stern and engine room. The wreck only narrowly escaped the scrap yard. It was first sold to a buyer from the USA who originally wanted to transform it into a pub. This plan was never realized.
The ship has been given a new lease of life in 1973 when it was bought by Anthony "Tiger" Timbs, an Englishman from the greater London area. A group of enthusiastic ship lovers began to rig the vessel as a brigantine.
The restoration at the shipyard in Faversham/England took nearly four years. The former cargo holds were transformed into a lounge and accommodation for crew and passengers. Furthermore, a new engine was installed. Sparing no expense, the works were performed with great attention to detail and with lots of love. The benches in the living room came from a church, and the enthusiastic Timbs sourced the fine wood for the interior from a demolished bank building. The new masts were previously used to line wells for the extraction of oil. A former dance floor was used to create a durable teak deck. Many details were hand-crafted. The result was a jewel of a sailing ship unique throughout the world.
In 1976, the two-master was finally ready to embark on new adventures at sea under the new name Eye of the Wind. She sailed around the globe on her first journey, stopping in Australia, the Pacific and the infamous Cape Horn.
The trip was barely finished in 1978 when the next challenge was already waiting for this impressive tall ship: Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Charles, the Eye of the Wind had the honour of being the flagship for "Operation 'Drake." More than 400 crew members took part in this almost two-year globe-trotting expedition in the footsteps of the famous explorer and scientist Sir Francis Drake. While the various crew members on board of the Eye of the Wind came from 27 different countries, after a short period of time they had one thing in common: they were captivated by the character and charm of this ship.
Over the decades, the ship gained many fans who formed a large fan club. To this day, the fans and enthusiasts continue to chronicle the history of "their" ship on a dedicated website and meet on board to go on sailing trips.
Her imposing stucture has attracted the attention of the film industry. The Eye of the Wind has crossed the waters of film sets, and - as in real life - faced fierce storms, ran aground, burned out and sank in front of the camera.
The ship featured in several major Hollywood productions including the adventure film "Blue Lagoon" (1980), the pirate movie "Nate and Hayes" (1983), "Tai-Pan" (1986) and "White Squall" (1996). Well-known Hollywood stars such as Brooke Shields and two Oscar® winners, Tommy Lee Jones and Jeff Bridges, took the helm of the ship in their hands.
In the epic "Tai-Pan," based on the novel by James Clavell, the "sailing Hollywood diva" was cast in a double role - that of "Morning Cloud" with white sails and that of the "White Witch'" with brown sails which she uses to this day.
In 1990, the Eye of the Wind sailed in the South Pacific and participated in the 200th anniversary of the colonisation of Pitcairn Island - the final refuge of the mutineers of HMS Bounty. After circumnavigating the Cape Horn, she served as a sail training ship until 2000. During this time, she sailed all the world's oceans and navigated the best-known ports. In tall ship regattas around the globe, the ship received several awards as the "most photogenic vessel" during this period.
After participating in the Tall Ships Race 2000, a Danish businessman bought the ship, which he used to set out for private trips from his home port Gilleleje. The new owners completely restored the proud brig and equipped her with the latest technology and electronics for navigation and comfort. To preserve her character as a traditional tall ship, they went about the planning and upgrading in a very conscientious manner. The use of teak, precious woods, brass and other high-quality materials on the inner deck give the ship its distinctive atmosphere. A sail control system was deliberately omitted. To this day, the sails with a total area of around 750 square metres are raised and lowered by sheer muscle power.
The brig became accessible to the public only nine years later when the owner died unexpectedly and the fate of this magnificent sailing ship was unclear at first.
On 1 April 2009, all the fans of Eye of the Wind could breathe a sigh of relief: Their beloved sailing ship found a new home port at FORUM train & sail GmbH, a subsidiary of the German FORUM MEDIA GROUP. Since then, she is used all year round for group and theme travel as well as for exclusive charters and high-quality management training.
100 years of the Eye of the Wind
In 2011, the brigantine celebrated her 100-year anniversary! On 30 April, the Eye of the Wind was the flagship in a tall ship parade for the opening of the Bremerhaven Kaiserschleuse-lock, which set a new world record for the longest sailing boat parade.
The Eye of the Wind is very seaworthy and fit even for the high seas and should thus not be left sitting in the harbour. Therefore, FORUM train & sail offers interested sailors - even without prior sailing knowledge - new, attractive destinations. Whether it is a Caribbean cruise or summer sailing in Scandinavia - the crew of the Eye of the Wind will be happy to take you to new adventures!
Let your spirit set sail
Technical data and equipment
Here you will find interesting facts about the technical data and the equipment of the traditional sailer Eye of the Wind.
Year Built: 1911
Shipyard: C. H. Lühring Werft, Brake, Germany
Length overall: 40.23 m (132 ft)
Breadth: 7.01 m (23 ft)
Draft: 2.70 m (8.9 ft)
Rigging: Brig
Sail area: 750 sq m (8000 sq ft)
Main engine: 600 HP
Speed: approx. 8 knots
Hull: Steel
Deck: Teak
Cabins:
• 6 luxurious cabins (12 bunks)
• 4 crew cabins (10 bunks)
Capacity:
• max. 12 people
Residence:
• lower saloon with library
• upper saloon with galley
• sun deck
Navigation:
Radar, VHF, MF and HF Radio (worldwide) and GPS
Communication:
• Radio (world-wide)
• Fax
• Internet
Safety:
Latest security, fire protection and rescue equipment in accordance with international
guidelines
Ensign:
United Kingdom
Take a look at our ship´s brochure (PDF)
