Inselschatz Feuerschiff allgemeine Geschichte zum Ort
The lightship „Borkum Riff“ is a symbol of the safety of navigation. Once crucial for orientation in the dangerous waters around Borkum, it has served as a museum and cultural monument since 1989. The history of the lightships at the Borkum reef, starting in 1875, tells of the development of navigational aids and the change in navigation. These floating lighthouses, once manned by brave sailors, shone through the night and warned with foghorns to prevent shipwrecks.
The National Park Ship Lightship „Borkum Riff“ exemplifies the transition from practical navigational aid to an educational site. It illustrates how local history and environmental awareness can become globally significant. Through its preservation and new function, it connects Borkum’s identity with the worldwide importance of nature and cultural preservation.
The last of this series, „Borkum Riff IV,“ was decommissioned in 1988 and marks the end of an era of manned lightships in Germany. Siegfried Lenz’s story and its film adaptations have set a literary monument to the lightship, immortalizing its story. Since then, it has been moored in the Borkum harbor, accessible to visitors, and houses an interesting exhibition about floating lighthouses as well as extensive information on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Wadden Sea. This new role underscores the importance of nature conservation and cultural heritage.
