Specification
- Name: SPIRIT OF OSTEND
- Class: C
- Nationality: Belgium
- Year built: 1972
- Home port: Ostend
- Rig: Schooner
- Height: 14.2 m
- Length of hull: 19.66 m
- Entered by: Jo Martens
About
- Areas of operation: Northern Europe, North Sea, Atlantic/Caribbean
- Number of trainees: 8
- Number of permanent crew: 4
- Berth types: Bunks;Cabins;Single;
- Showers: Yes
- Operational language(s) on board: English
- Other language(s) spoken on board: Dutch, French
- Special diets catered for: Yes
Biography
Spirit of Ostend is a classic steel schooner with a history spanning more than five decades. Commissioned in 1971 by a French yachting enthusiast and designed by British naval architect Frederick Parker, she was built at Joyce Marine in Hamble, England, in 1972, and fitted out in St Malo, France. Sailing first under the name Senouire, she was found in Kinsale, Ireland, in 1997 and relaunched in 1998 as Spirit of Oysterhaven. Over the next 25 years she completed six transatlantic voyages, took part in Tall Ships Races and Regattas across Europe and the Caribbean, and operated as Ireland’s de facto national sail training vessel, earning Sail Training International’s Vessel Operator of the Year award in 2016.
In 2023 she was purchased by Jo Martens, owner and skipper, and renamed Spirit of Ostend, with a new home port of Ostend, Belgium. Following an extensive refit, she has since sailed to Ireland and back for two summer cruises around West Cork. Spirit of Ostend is now ready to welcome trainees on board and looks forward to taking part in The Tall Ships Races 2027.
