Captain Nils Brandt looks back on a total of ten years in command of the navy
As announced, the handover of command on the Gorch Fock took place today. The change on the bridge of a ship is always a turning point, for the officers concerned and for the crew anyway, but this time also for the public. The dignified ceremony on board was accompanied by a large press contingent.
Captain at sea Nils Brandt during his farewell speech
It is extraordinary what Captain Nils Brandt - our 2021 Man of the Year in Naval Form - has achieved for the German Navy. The fact that this important and representative ship has been preserved not only for the navy, but also for the Federal Republic of Germany, is forever associated with his name. In his farewell speech, which he did not allow to be drowned out by the cold easterly wind blowing in the yards, he thanked above all the crew, whom he called the "second first crew", and the guests present for their support and loyalty. And there was plenty of it, as there were representatives from the city of Kiel and the Kiel state parliament, led by the vice president of the state parliament, Aminata Touré. The flotillas, schools and the naval command, the German Armed Forces Association, former commanders, the Circle of Friends and, of course, the Brandt family, to whom the outgoing commander expressed his special thanks, were represented by high-ranking representatives.
Flotilla Admiral Nemeyer, Commander of the Mürwik Naval Academy, during the laudatory speech for the outgoing commander
Flotilla Admiral Jens Nemeyer, Commander of the Mürwik Naval Academy, emphasised his merits and reviewed his long career at sea, the last few years and, above all, the successful last few months. He recalled that Nils Brandt was commander of the frigate "Schleswig-Holstein" and did not omit the difficult time in the dockyard with the Gorch Fock. He said he was particularly pleased that the experienced seaman was now moving to the naval school as head of training and thus becoming deputy commander.
The successor: Captain at sea Alexander Graf von Kielmansegg
The new commander comes to the command with comparable preparation. Captain Alexander-Peter Graf von Kielmansegg comes from the naval command, was previously commander of the frigate "Bayern" and looks back on service as a naval officer and first officer of the Gorch Fock. His deliberately very brief speech - "this day belongs to the predecessor" - expressed his great respect for what he had achieved. Captain Brandt left the ship through a line of his former crew, with a warm handshake for everyone and many personal words. This was the moment when it became clear that dedicated people had breathed life back into a ship together. A worthy conclusion, a pleasing new beginning and a big step into the future.
Photos: PIZ Marine/ Marcel Kroencke
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Berlin coalition agreement on education p.67: "We recognise equivalent professional qualifications for higher career paths in the public sector".
This certainly also applies to the recreational ocean-going skipper with a traditional ship licence under sail.
The commander and first officer must have this "licence".
Of interest is the educational assessment, as this qualification is not taught at maritime schools or naval officer training.