Oscar Huber

The Oscar Huber is a former tugboat measuring 75 meters long with multiple decks that tell the story of river navigation on German waterways. The ship is moored in Duisburg's harbor where visitors can explore its interior spaces, including the engine room and crew quarters.

This tugboat was built to pull cargo on the Rhine and other regional rivers during the industrial boom of the Ruhr area. After years of active service, the vessel was preserved and converted into a museum to keep its maritime history alive for future generations.

The ship is part of the Museum of German Inland Navigation and shows how people transported goods on rivers. The exhibits tell the story of how these vessels supported the region's industrial growth and the workers who operated them.

Access to the ship is through scheduled guided tours that must be booked in advance and include detailed explanations of the machinery and work areas. Boarding involves stairs and steep passages, so sturdy footwear and reasonable physical fitness are recommended for the visit.

The ship carries the name of harbor master Oscar Huber, whose legacy remains intertwined with this vessel and its preserved operational systems. Its original boilers and turbines are still visible and showcase the technical craftsmanship required to run such vessels during their working years.