FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- After more than a century of service, on January 14th the tall ship, Alexander Von Humboldt sailed out of her homeport of Bremerhaven, Germany, for the last time and set course for the island of Grand Bahama with stops in the Canary Islands and Barbados. A large melancholy crowd of onlookers along with press, radio and television braved the cold winter morning to wave their last farewell to the “Green Lady” as she is fondly known.

On the other side of the world excitement is growing in anticipation of the arrival some two months away. Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, will be the new home of “Alex” where she will host cruise ship passengers, island visitors and residents that want to experience the romance of sailing the way it was in bygone days.    

In Germany the ship was used by the German Association for Sail Training (DSST) to introduce young sailors to the century old tradition of sea-faring. So too, in the Bahamas, young men and women will have the opportunity to learn the art of sailing as it was taught and practiced for centuries. The “Alex” gained world-wide recognition when she became the icon of the German Becks Beer Company who featured the ship with the green sails in most of its commercials shown worldwide.

Another provisioning and crew change will take place in Barbados and here Captain Ulrich Lamprecht will take over the command and guide the “Alexander von Humboldt” to Freeport which is estimated to take ten days. Captain Lamprecht is very experienced with this ship and has sailed her for many years in the oceans of the world. He will also take on the responsibility to train the all-Bahamian deck crew upon arrival in Freeport, where the German deck crew will be replaced as soon as possible. The three deck crews for the voyage were all volunteers and selected by the German Association for Sail Training.

"The century-old tall ship will be the perfect addition to the inventory of Grand Bahama's water based soft adventure experiences" said Director-General of Tourism, David L. Johnson.  A warm welcome for the arrival to her new home in Freeport Harbour is planned for March 14th at noon.