Schulschiff Rhein, Training vessel in Duisburg, Germany
The Schulschiff Rhein is a training vessel anchored in Duisburg's port that serves as a floating school for inland waterway navigation. Students live aboard while receiving instruction in seamanship, ship handling, and port operations.
The vessel started operations in 1984, created to meet the inland shipping industry's need for skilled professionals. Since then, it has trained hundreds of navigators working on European rivers.
The vessel brings together young navigators who live and study together, learning not just from instructors but from the maritime community they form onboard. This shared life at sea shapes how they understand their profession.
Visitors can explore the exterior of the vessel and learn about life onboard, though intensive training courses run continuously throughout the year. It is worth checking in advance about access times, as availability may vary depending on the instructional schedule.
The vessel operates an advanced navigation simulator called SANDRA II that attracts professionals from across Europe seeking technical training. This equipment allows navigators to practice demanding scenarios in a controlled environment before facing real river conditions.
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