TIJGERHAAI

Biography

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Schooner Tijgerhaai (Tigershark) is a Dutch two‑masted schooner with a unique heritage and a long tradition of seagoing capability. Built in 1944 in Canada as CT‑78, one of the steel TANAC tugs constructed during the Second World War, she began life as a robust working vessel before transitioning into her role as a sailing ship.

After the war, CT‑78 served on European inland waterways under the name Fecht, named after the river La Fecht, a tributary of the Ill in Alsace. In the late 1970s she was brought to the Netherlands and underwent a complete transformation from tugboat to schooner. The conversion, carried out over thirteen years, reshaped her into a capable sailing vessel with a schooner rig and ocean‑going strength. This rebuild culminated in a four‑year circumnavigation, during which she visited numerous islands and proved her reliability and seaworthiness on long passages.

Following her world voyage, Tijgerhaai spent many years laid up until a new, extensive refit began in 2022. This modern rebuild included a full renewal of her rig, interior, systems, and safety equipment, preparing her once again for active service at sea. Today, Tijgerhaai combines the durability of her steel origins with the elegance and tradition of a classic schooner, ready to sail in international events and continue her long maritime story.

Tijgerhaai is a privately operated, non‑commercial sailing vessel. During her recent refit and sea trials she has begun to involve young sailors and maritime students in watchkeeping, navigation and offshore routines, offering hands‑on experience aboard a traditional schooner. With her renewed systems and strong seagoing capability, Tijgerhaai aims to expand these educational opportunities in the coming years, introducing young people to offshore sailing and life at sea as part of her participation in international events such as the Tall Ships Races.