Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M600

Eye of the Wind enters the Caribbean

by Frank Anders on 4 Mar 2012
Eye of the Wind Frank Anders
Only a week after the sail training vessel 'Eendracht' from Holland and a few weeks earlier another Dutch vessel, the 'Tres Hombres', left St.Maarten-St.Martin, the brigantine 'Eye of the Wind', owned by the German company Forum Train and Sail GmbH, visited Marigot on the French side of the Island over the week-end.

She came in from St.Barth’s and sailed around Sint Maarten surrounded by approximately 200 participants of the Heineken Regatta on her way to Fort Louis Marina.

The over 100 years old vessel was on a short stop over before sailing to Bermuda and crossing the Atlantic to the Azores and further on to Europe.

Her imposing figure has attracted the attention of the film industry in previous years, so she crossed several times the waters on film sets of major Hollywood productions.

As was the case in her real life a long time ago, the 'Eye of the Wind' faced in front of the camera fierce storms, run aground, burned out and sank.

The ship was featured in several films such as the adventure film 'Blue Lagoon' (1980), the pirate movie 'Savage Island' (1983), 'Tai-Pan' (1986) and 'White Squall' (1996). Well-known Hollywood stars such as Brooke Shields and two Oscar ® winners, Tommy Lee Jones and Jeff Bridges, took the helm of the ship in their hands.

In the epic 'Tai-Pan,' based on the novel by James Clavell, she was cast in a double role - that of the vessel 'Morning Cloud' with white sails and that of 'White Witch' with brown sails which the Eye of the Wind still uses to this day.

After participating in the Tall Ships Race 2000, a Danish businessman bought the ship, mainly for private use.

The new owner completely restored the proud brig and equipped her with the latest technology and electronics for modern navigation and comfort. The planning and upgrading to preserve her character as a traditional tall ship was done in a very conscientious manner.

The use of teak, precious woods, brass and other high-quality materials on the inner deck give the ship its distinctive atmosphere.

A sail control system was deliberately omitted.


To this day, the sails with a total area of around 750 square meters are raised and lowered by human muscle power.

The historical vessel became accessible to the public only in 2009 when the Danish owner died. Soon after, the beloved sailing ship found a new home port at Forum Train and Sail GmbH, a subsidiary of the German Media Group Forum.

Since then, it is used all year round for group and theme travel as well as for exclusive charters and high-quality management training.

The owning company is actually looking into the possibilities to winter base the vessel in St.Martin as from November/December and to offer youngsters in the Caribbean sailing weeks on the ship as trainee’s trough the Caribbean Sail Training Association.

Another Tall Ship that works with the CSTA, 'La Manouine', is expected around March 9 in Simpson Bay.

Technical information

Build: 1911 C. H. Lühring Shipyard Germany
Length over all: 40,23 m
Width: 7,01 m
Draft: 2,70 m
Total Crew and trainees: 26

Additional information will become available in the web site.

X-Yachts X4.3Boat Books Australia FOOTERSea Sure 2025

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Day One Inshore Racing Pics
An excellent day's racing with good breeze. Day One of Inshore Racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup was highlighted by good breeze.
Posted today at 1:09 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Inshore Racing Videos
Day One summary and interviews with many competitors Day One summary and interviews with Back2Black, Black Pearl, Beau Ideal, Beau Geste, and Teasing Machine.
Posted today at 12:45 am
America's Cup: Italy's five boat Challenge
‘Il Moro di Venezia', a five-boat programme left no stone unturned The transition from colourful and applauded challenges of 1983 and 1987, to Challengers for the XXVIII America's Cup in San Diego, was a pivotal moment in the history of Italy in the competition.
Posted on 23 Jul
Admirals Cup: Leader board changes - Day 3
The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the Admirals' Cup The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the 2025 Admirals Cup, but otherwise the rich got richer on the regatta leaderboard.
Posted on 23 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Upwind to the Fastnet Rock
The long range forecast for this year's race shows more benign conditions Teams that competed in the last two Rolex Fastnet Races and are returning for this Saturday's special centenary edition will be breathing a sigh of relief looking at the long term forecast.
Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Day 2
Beau Geste and Nola rise in shifty Solent showdown Race Four of the Admiral's Cup brought a tactical masterclass in light airs to the Central Solent. PRO Stuart Childerley set a windward leeward course for both classes, 1.6nm for AC1 and a shorter 1.4nm for AC2.
Posted on 23 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The final group of five invited skippers is announced The final group of skippers to be announced for the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship radiates enthusiasm for this groundbreaking opportunity in one of the world's most famous sailing cities.
Posted on 23 Jul