Museum ship Amandine has been given a complete overhaul
More than ever, former Iceland liner and museum ship Amandine in Ostend invites visitors to experience how grim things could get during that perilous voyage into the rough North Atlantic Ocean. Her renovation and multimedia installations vouch for that.
For centuries, tough local sailors braved the bleak Atlantic off the southern coast of Iceland to fish primarily for cod. From the 17th century, this was done with sailing sloops, from the 20th century, steam and motor trawlers were introduced. The Iceland voyage was a perilous undertaking, initially lasting for months and more latterly for about three weeks when the catch could be better preserved. At one time, the fleet boasted more than 80 ships, more than a quarter of which sunk over the course of 65 years.
The Amandine, built between 1960-1962, was decommissioned as the last Belgian Icelandic vessel on 3 April 1995, and opened as a museum ship in 2000. By 2020, this piece of maritime heritage was in need of renovation and modernisation. Now all the rust stains have been removed, water leaks sealed, welds repaired, and the entire ship has been sandblasted and freshly painted. But not to worry: authenticity has been safeguarded. And where once the lockers contained all manner of fishing gear, multimedia installations now immerse you in the adventurous but harsh life on board, complete with a chilling story of a near collision.
The Amandine awaits you right across from the station on Vindictivelaan, after you cross the drawbridge over the Natiënkaai immediately on the right.