History of the ship

In August 1990, following damage during hurricane ´hugo´ the `Sonate Ovni 43` was transported a small garden in the community `Winzeln` in

the middle of the Black Forest.

 

From March 1991 a large group of friends, volunteers and mechanics from the region and ship experts from the coast worked to restore the ship.

 

All interior fittings were removed to make room for the radio production studio and a laboratory in the rear bunk room. Due to the large electronic requirements of the ship, huge efforts had to be made to seal all damageable areas as much as possible. This quality came at a high price, however all data cables and connectors from the first generation are stil in use and working properly to this day.

 

The brewery “Alpirsbacher Klosterbräu” sponsored a tent for the construction site so working could continue despite chilling temperatures. For the installation of the engine, the tent had to be pushed aside to place the machine slowly and with absolute precision into the hull using a crane. The painting with special and extremely durable US aircraft paint (Awl Grip) also proved to be very costly.

This sound studio was assembled quickly and installed parallel to the interior fittings of the ship. The studio was presented to the public for the first time at ``Boot 1992`` in Dusseldorf, at the world biggest water sports fair, with live broadcasts made for radio.

 

After 18 months the naming ceremony took on the 16th of May 1992. The ALDEBARAN was then transported to the island of Fehmarn. The vessel was moored in Keil in front of the Marine Research Institute for the Earth Day celebrations on the 5th of June 1992, at the invitation of a scientist from the Institute of Oceanography. The final go ahead was then given for one of the most exciting projects in the field of environmental communications for the protection of the world oceans.

 

In 1998, the ALDEBARAN underwent a second prolonged period of time at the Hamburg dock, being equipped with an updated state-of-the-Art technology and receiving a more modern outfit

 

The Organisation

 

As the fit out of the ship progressed, and a coordinating centre was required, the organization for environmental communication with the same name, ALDEBARAN, was founded.

 

It has been made clear from the start that the ALDEBARAN would always operate as a non-profit organization. In September 1991, the concept of the ALDEBARAN was presented to a professional audience for the first time at the trade fair "Inter-boat" in Friedrichshafen. Numerous conversations with potential sponsors, politicians and scientists followed. The marine biologist Rupert Riedl, known from the TV feature “Gardens of Poseidon” ("Gärten des Poseidon”, ZDF) took patronage of the project.

 

Around the World...

The ALDEBARAN proved her durability and marine prowess with her former owner, a French physician, who sailed with her ​​around the world. Since then, however, the trustworthy vessel has gained some weight and now sails weighing about 14 tons through the sea. At the same time as the reconstruction, an organization for environmental communication with the same name, ALDEBARAN, was founded. This was due to the realization that the project only made sense and allowed for effective work in cooperation with a coordinating center. It has been made clear from the start that the ALDEBARAN would always operate as a non-profit organization. In September 1991, the concept of the ALDEBARAN was presented to a professional audience for the first time at the trade fair "Inter-boat" in Friedrichshafen. Numerous conversations with potential sponsors, politicians and scientists followed. The marine biologist Rupert Riedl, known from the TV feature “Gardens of Poseidon” ("Gärten des Poseidon”, ZDF) took patronage of the project.

 



Aldebaran Facebook Aldebaran-Channel Youtube
© 2024 ALDEBARAN
IMPRINT