Le Don Du Vent
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Maritime tourism |
| Founded | Marseille, France |
| Headquarters | Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France |
Key people | Fanny and Benoît Bouchet (Owners), Philippe Derain, Margo Derain, Henry Gruber Werft |
| Products | Private sailing charters |
| Website | ledonduvent |
Le Don Du Vent (company) is a privately owned sailing charter company based in Marseille, France, and the name of its principal vessel. The company operates charters for corporate as well as private events departing from Marseille’s Old Port (Vieux-Port).
History of Le Don Du Vent
Le Don Du Vent (ship) was constructed during World War II (between 1940 and 1945) at Swinemünde (present-day Świnoujście, Poland) by Ernst Burmester. It was originally named the Nordstrand and was built for fishing and possible military use under the Third Reich and was one of several hundred cutters produced during the period.[1]
After being converted to a leisure vessel post-war the ship was bought in 1954 by Friedrich Willhelm Sellschopp along with his wife Ursala out of Lübeck where it was renamed to Fatima and shortly thereafter in 1957, transferred to Cannes. During the 1960’s and 70’s the vessel was often used for yachting by many private figures, including Frederick Loewe who chartered the ship frequently for many years.[2]
In 1979, the vessel was purchased by Philippe Derain, renamed Le Don Du Vent, and restored over 13 years finishing in 1992[1]. After finishing the restoration, the ship was moved into the old port of Marseille where it later participated in Marseille’s 2,600th anniversary celebrations in 1999.[3] In the 2000s the ship has also participated the Red Cross initiative Un bateau pour la paix in 2000[1] and was designated a https://www.patrimoine-maritime-fluvial.org/navires-du-patrimoine/demande-de-labellisation/ Bateau d’Intérêt Patrimonial in 2007 and used in the MP2013 as the location for the closing ceremony[4] later also participating in the https://escaleasete.com/ Escala à Sète in 2018.[5] In the 2020's the ship has participated in the Escala à Sète in 2024[6] and the https://castelloextra.com/es/castellon/estos-son-los-barcos-que-estaran-presentes-en-escala-a-castello_555637_102.html Escala à Castelló in 2025.[7]
Fleet
Le Don Du Vent
The Le Don Du Vent vessel measures approximately 30 meters in length and can accommodate up to 44 passengers per trip. It is a classic two-masted sailing ship available for private and corporate charters departing from the Old Port of Marseille.[8] The deck area is around 130 m², with capacity for up to 80-100 guests when docked.[9]
Eleanor Mary
The Eleanor Mary, a smaller sister vessel approximately 10 meters shorter than Le Don Du Vent, offers small-group charters for Calanques tours and private cruises.[10] It accommodates about 16 passengers and includes activities such as snorkeling and paddleboarding.[11]
Operations
The company typically operates between June and October, with charters departing from Marseille’s Old Port.[12] Services include private and corporate charters, sightseeing cruises, and swimming or snorkeling excursions within the Calanques National Park.
Notable events
- Participated in Marseille’s 2,600th anniversary celebration.
- Took part in the Red Cross initiative Un bateau pour la paix.
- Designated a Bateau d’Intérêt Patrimonial in 2007.
- Featured in the closing ceremony of Marseille’s 2013 cultural year.
- Participated in the Escala à Castelló 2025
- Participated in the Escala à Sète 2018 & 2024
Le Don Du Vent is a privately owned ocean-going gaff ketch based in Marseille, France. It operates private sailing charters and tours of the Calanques from Marseille’s Old Port (Vieux-Port).
General information[4]
- Former names: NORSTRAND, FATIMA
- Registration number: 328969A
- Registration district: Marseille
- Type, series, or local name: Ketch Aurique, ocean-going sailing yacht
- Architect: Henry Gruber Werft
- Builder: Burmester, Bremerhaven (yard no. 2898)
- First voyage: 1947
- Original type: Fischkutter type KFK
- Length overall: 30 m (including bowsprit)
- Deck area: 130 m²
- Hull length: 23.60 m
- Waterline length: 22.45 m
- Beam: 6.32 m
- Draught: 2.70 m
- Air draught: 24 m
- Displacement: 100 t
- Administrative tonnage: 65.82 tx
Design and technical characteristics[4]
Hull
- Construction: Composite structure
- Frames: Steel
- Planking: Oak
- Keel: Oak
- Ballast: Cast iron ingots within the hull
- Hull form: Straight stem, transom stern, long keel
Deck and superstructure
- Decking: Laid Oregon pine with an Iroko wear deck
- Wheelhouse and deckhouses: Mahogany
- Covering boards and rails: Niangon and Iroko
- Forward companionway, skylight, deckhouse, and wheelhouse: Mahogany
Rigging
- Type: Gaff ketch with topmasts
- Spars: Wood
- Standing rigging: Stainless steel
- Running rigging: Synthetic (braided and laid)
Sail plan
- Sails: Mizzen, mainsail, main topsail, staysail, jib, and flying jib
- Material: Dacron
- Total sail area: Approximately 350 m²
Interior layout
- Watertight compartments: Three
- Forward section: Six berths plus two cabins with two berths each; includes sail locker and forward companionway
- Central section: Main saloon divided into lounge and dining areas
Propulsion
- Engine: Baudouin 6R 120, 240 hp (installed 2001)
- Bow thruster: Yes
See also
- Parc national des Calanques
- Vieux-Port de Marseille
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Voilier Le Don du Vent". FilmFrance. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Luxury and Languor of Riviera Yachting". Life. New York: Time Inc. July 9, 1965. p. 48. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Le Don du Vent – Patrimoine Maritime et Fluvial". Marseille Tourism. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Le Don du Vent – Official Site". Le Don du Vent. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "A bordo di Oloferne e con l'AVEV al Festival Marittimo di Sète". www.barchedepocaeclassiche.it. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Agenda". Escale à Sète 2026. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ Martín, Ramón (2023-04-14). "Estos son los barcos que estarán presentes en Escala a Castelló". Castelló Extra. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Le Don du Vent – ABC Salles". ABC Salles. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Le Don du Vent – Alfred Meeting". Alfred Meeting. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Eleanor Mary – Calanques Cruise". GetYourGuide. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Sailboat Cruise with Lunch and Organic Wines". Marseille Tourism. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ↑ "Après-midi voile sur le Don du Vent". Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Tourism. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
External links
This article "Le Don Du Vent" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.