The boats – including flat -bottomed bottoms, tugboats and yachts – are part of the sailing heritage that puts Bruges’s former status as a top port in Europe in the spotlight. “Bruges is a historic port city, but without historic boats. The event is changing that,” says Guy Decraemer of Bruges Maritime Heritage.
Eye -catchers include the Atina III, a tugboat from 1941 that was recovered and restored by owner Gerard Hensen, and the iconic Askoy II, the yacht of Jacques Brel. For the first time in years, the Askoy II is sailing again. “After years of work, it is a special moment of satisfaction,” said Staf Wittevrongel, one of the driving forces behind the restoration.
On Sunday the general public can visit the historic vessels on the Coiseaukaai.