Foreningen Martha af Sønderho

Historic Sailing in the Wadden Sea National Park

Foreningen Martha af Sønderho is a Danish association that supports projects creating maritime experiences and sharing the maritime cultural history of the Wadden Sea National Park, including sailing aboard historic vessels. The association operates M/S Martha, which runs trips through Esbjerg Harbor and the Wadden Sea.

M/S Martha and Its History

M/S Martha was built in 1975 in Sønderho by Børge Fischer as a punt boat. Its cockpit was designed to be especially long to hold marker brooms, but the vessel was never used for that purpose. It was sold within the family to Asta and Willy Morgenstern, who used it for recreation until around 1995, when sand buildup in Sønderho Harbor made it impossible to keep the boat there.

In 2012, the Skøgum Association of Ribe was founded at the initiative of Bjarne Kiholm and Anders Bjerrum, who acquired Martha to restore the clinker-built vessel, which the Danish Ship Preservation Fund had deemed worthy of preservation. With support from several foundations, Martha was restored at C.J. Skibs- og Bådværft in Egernsund and launched on June 7, 2018. In 2019, after several attempts to secure funding through Foreningen Skøgum, the organization changed its name to Foreningen Martha af Sønderho and the boat was moved to Fanø.

The boat has had several owners: Børge Fischer Jensen in 1975, Willy Morgenstern in 1976, Bjarne Kiholm in 2008, the Skøgum Association in 2012, and Foreningen Martha af Sønderho in 2019.

Trips and Onboard Experiences

Martha mainly runs seal safaris and harbor cruises for visitors. The association offers scheduled trips in the area, with dates available in its booking section. The boat can also be chartered for private events for groups of up to 12.

In 2026, M/S Martha has a sister ship, M/S ALICE, which is also available for private events. The Martha and Alice associations had a busy spring after acquiring the Vadehavet National Park’s vessel. They have already operated many trips, including research outings and private cruises.

Crew and Safety

The boat is crewed by experienced people who care deeply about the Wadden Sea and are ready to share their knowledge with passengers. All crew members have completed firefighting and maritime rescue courses at RelyonNutec in Esbjerg and hold valid first-aid and health certificates.

Activities, Projects, and Support

The association has an activities and finances section where it posts upcoming initiatives and Martha’s accounts. Recent projects include restoring the junior boat “PETREL,” for which Fanø Brugsforening approved a donation of 25,000 kroner. The association is also working to establish Fanøs Maritime VÆRksted in the Sønden Bavnen boathouse.

Martha is an important part of Fanø’s culture and history. The association has the support of more than 150 shareholders and 200 members and welcomes new members. Honorary members include Bjarne Kiholm, the first honorary member and a driving force behind the M/S Martha restoration; Bent Kromann, for his work during the renovation, follow-up on construction at the Egernsund shipyard, and dealings with authorities; Vibeke Schøtt, the first chair of Foreningen Martha; Willy Morgenstern, former chair and the person who arranged the boat’s move from Ribe to Fanø, as well as an owner before its restoration; and Anders Bjerrum, for his support throughout the renovation, fundraising, and permitting.

Location and Contact

Phone: +45 60 90 85 91 · Email: info@marthasonderho.dk