5 tips from curator Hubert Rubbens

Hubert Rubbens has been the man shaping Ostend for Anker for more than 20 years. So who better to give some tips on what not to miss from this edition.

Venetian Gondola’s

"In 2019, my wife and I had the pleasure of getting to know the Venetians during "la Semaine du Golf de Morbihan". Blessed people with passion for their boats, lagoon and city. The seed was planned, but two years of COVID forced us to stay in "our kot". Finally, after 3 years, Venetians will now be there. I am therefore greatly looking forward to it because these ships normally never leave the Venetian lagoon. During Ostend at Anchor, you will also be presented with an uncommon sight with gondolas sailing around the Mercator dock with the necessary flag display. That really will be a special sight. The three types of gondolas will also allow you to sail along on a daily basis."

The gondolas are located in the Mercator dock at the station bridge.

Dunkirk Little Ships

On the occasion of Ostend for Anchor, the "Association Of Dunkirk Little Ships" will be present with the Breda, Caronia, Hilfranor, l'Orage, Lady Lou, Mary Scott, Nyula, Papillon, Riis 2 and Tom Tit. "For several years now, our friends from the "Dunkirk Little ships" have been regular guests at Ostend for Anchor. Besides the gracefulness of the ships and the friendliness of our British guests, I am still over the moon when they dock Ostend. Those ships were deployed 83 years ago in Operation Dynamo. The British Admiralty managed to evacuate, with 700 private ships, more than 338,000 British, French and Belgian soldiers from the beaches between De Panne and Dunkirk to Ramsgate in the UK between 28 May and 2 June 1940."

Driemaster Atlantis and other ships at sea

During Ostend at Anchor, several ships will set sail. Similarly, three-masted Atlantis will go to sea with groups. It is an old lightship. Visitors can visit the ship when it is docked, but in addition, they will also see it sail in and out. The same goes for the Morning Star.

Those who want to go to sea themselves can join De Nele for a harbour tour and the George Stephenson will also go to sea. This is a replica of a 1958-looking ship and consists mostly of a steel hull and reused parts and materials.

The ships going to sea are docked at the Montgomery dock.

Blue Innovation Village

"Completely new is the Blue Innovation Village at the Mercator. We partnered with the Blue Cluster for their fifth anniversary. There are a lot of scientific research centres in Ostend, but very few people are aware of them. I must say that I myself only now discovered there was so much. There are about 20 exhibitors on the square in front of the Mercator. People can see here what all we can get out of the sea. Everyone knows the windmills we use to generate energy, but in addition there are also studies to generate energy with currents. "

You can find the Blue Innovation Village on the Jan Piersplein near the Mercator.

Marine Village

Several Belgian and Dutch Navy stands will be set up at Montgomerykaai. Among other things, a climbing tower will be provided, as well as a diving tank, a button stand and 3D glasses to see what a submarine looks like.

Appointment at Montgomerykaai!