Historic rendezvous in Szczecin: STS Fryderyk Chopin and STS Kapitan Głowacki close Blue School season
For the first time in history, Poland’s iconic tall ships STS Fryderyk Chopin and STS Kapitan Głowacki moored side by side at Szczecin’s Wały Chrobrego waterfront. The event marked the ceremonial end of the 2024/2025 Blue School under Sail season (Niebieska Szkoła pod Żaglami) – an educational sail training program for youth that combines traditional schooling with life at sea.
In brief
The sailing ships STS Fryderyk Chopin and STS Kapitan Głowacki moored simultaneously at the Wały Chrobrego waterfront in Szczecin, for the first time in the history of the Niebieska Szkoła programme. The voyages concluded the 43rd and 43a editions of the programme and closed the 2024/2025 season. Participants of the STS Fryderyk Chopin voyages gained knowledge of navigation and meteorology during night watches, while the STS Kapitan Głowacki voyages led through different faces of the Baltic Sea.
STS Fryderyk Chopin
Launched in 1992 and built in Gdańsk, STS Fryderyk Chopin is one of the largest brig-rigged sailing ships in the world. Designed by naval architect Zygmunt Choreń, the vessel was intended for sail training and youth education. With her impressive silhouette and advanced rigging, she often draws comparisons to 19th-century naval brigs, though she incorporates modern technology.
- Rig type: Brig (two-masted square-rigger)
- Length overall (LOA): 55.5 meters
- Beam: 8.5 meters
- Draft: 4.2 meters
- Sail area: approx. 1,200 m²
- Crew capacity: ~50 people (crew + trainees)
She has participated in numerous international tall ship races and is a frequent ambassador for Poland during maritime festivals.
STS Kapitan Głowacki
Originally launched in 1944 as a Kriegsmarine training vessel (Seeadler), the ship was acquired by Poland after WWII and extensively rebuilt for civilian sail training. Renamed Kapitan Głowacki in honor of Captain Konstanty Głowacki, she has since served generations of young sailors.
- Rig type: Full-rigged ship (three-masted)
- Length overall (LOA): 44.3 meters
- Beam: 8.0 meters
- Draft: 3.6 meters
- Sail area: approx. 1,000 m²
- Crew capacity: ~40 people
Her traditional rig, sturdy hull, and rich history make her a beloved and respected vessel in Poland’s sail training fleet.
The Blue School program
The Blue School under Sail (Niebieska Szkoła pod Żaglami) is an educational initiative that integrates traditional academic learning with the experience of seamanship. Each year, dozens of students join long-distance voyages aboard these ships, gaining not only maritime knowledge but also life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience.
The mooring of both ships at Szczecin’s riverfront was more than just a photo opportunity – it symbolized the strength of Poland’s maritime education and the enduring role of sail training in shaping young minds.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
Related articles
Shipbuilding industry Lionel Messi orders a Sunreef catamaran. The Ultima 88 is being built at the Gdańsk firm’s UAE yard 
Investments A Szczecin firm is to design the world's tallest Christ statue. A 207-metre core in 40 days 
Sailing and water sports A century-old Inga Lisa and Czarny Diament after 32 years at sea. Over 30 classic yachts in Gdynia 
Sailing and water sports Eleven years of trying and metres at the finish. Witold Karałow's Scamp 4 wins the 75th Blue Ribbon 
Sailing and water sports Stanisław Trepczyński's bronze in Puck after five hours of fighting for wind 
Environment The world's largest seahorses move into the Gdynia Aquarium. In this species it is the male that gets pregnant
Comments (0)
The discussion is moderated by the editors: a comment appears after review. Your e-mail address is not published.
Nobody has commented on this article yet.