Light Vessel Borkumriff, Museum ship in Borkum, Germany.
The Light Vessel Borkumriff is a former lightship now moored as a floating museum along Borkum's waterfront. The vessel displays a red hull with white superstructure and a distinctive light tower, beneath which visitor areas and exhibition spaces are arranged.
The vessel entered service in 1956 and remained on station in the German Bight until 1988, guiding ships through treacherous waters. It was then relocated to Borkum where it has been preserved as a maritime monument.
The vessel is named after a sandbank off Borkum Island and recalls the era of manned lighthouses at sea. Visitors can understand how vital these floating lighthouses were for safe ship navigation in busy waters.
The vessel is easily accessible from shore and welcomes visitors to explore the interior spaces independently. It helps to wear good footwear since the stairs and passageways are narrow and steep.
On board sits the original Fresnel lens still housed in the lantern, showing how ships were guided before electronic navigation systems existed. The vessel also serves as an information point for the Wadden Sea National Park.
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