Scan Magazine – August 2018

82 | Issue 115 | August 2018

Tre Kronor af Stockholm this year celebrates ten years at sea. What started as a
mission impossible to build a massive brig in modern times, has turned out to be
a great success. The handsome sailing ship is also one of the main protectors of
the Baltic Sea.

By Malin Norman

With Stockholm as its home port, the

impressive Tre Kronor sails around the

Baltic Sea from May to November, ed-

ucating the public about both life at sea

and environmental issues. The idea to

build a majestic wooden ship to grace

the port of Stockholm, using tradition-

al methods, was conceived in the early

1990s and, based on complete drawings

held in the Navy Museum in Karlskrona,

work began in 1997.

At long last, following much highly skilled

work, huge enthusiasm and the help of

many volunteers, the brig sailed on its

maiden voyage around the Baltic Sea in

2008. But not before it was baptised by
      Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria, who
      is also the ship’s godmother. “It’s a fan-
      tastic honour for us to have the Crown
      Princess as our protector,” says CEO
      Anders Mannesten. “In fact, the whole
      royal family has sailed with us.”

Sustainable Seas initiative

Ten years on, the brig is used for the

education of new sailors and for shar-

ing information about the Baltic Sea.

Every year, it sails to five or six coun-

tries and some 20 to 25 cities, where it

also functions as an exhibition space, a

large container greeting it in every port.

“We address municipalities along the

route and bring our ship and exhibition

to them, where they can highlight their

own environmental agenda,” Mannesten

explains. “By doing this, we help spread

the message in the region.” He adds that

collaborating with the Baltic Sea Centre

at Stockholm University adds legitimacy

to the activities.

Tre Kronor is also part of the Sustainable

Seas initiative, which also has the sup-

port of Crown Princess Victoria. Working

towards the sustainable development of

the Baltic Sea, it includes an annual sem-

inar broadcast on television. “By working

together with scientists, politicians and

businesses, we find new ways of making

an impact,” Mannesten says. “For in-

stance, we have just hosted performances

during the week-long Skärgårdsturnén

(the archipelago tour), with famous musi-

Protector of the Baltic Sea

cians such as Tina Ahlin and Lill Lindfors.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to also involve

culture in our work.”

Last year, the Tre Kronor took part in

the famous Tall Ships Races and won

not only its class, but also one leg in the

overall race, proving that it has a very

competent crew. It is also possible to rent

the fantastic Tre Kronor or join scheduled

lunch and evening cruises around the

Baltic Sea. “Welcome onboard, sail for

the Baltic Sea!”

Web: http://www.briggentrekronor.se

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Autumn Experiences in Sweden

Crown Princess

Victoria, godmother

of Tre Kronor. Photo:

Erika Gerdemark, The

Royal Court Sweden

Photo: Sture Haglund Photo: Tobias Österberg

Skärgårdsturnén, with music performances

by Jack Wreeswijk, Tina Ahlin, Lill Lindfors

and Love Antell. Photo: Skärgårdsfoto