About us
1972 to 2004
After the Reserve Comradeship Navy Kiel (RC Navy Kiel) had been dormant for several years, long-time friends Manfred Heidenreich and Dieter Stier decided to revive it in 1971.
Old documents from the Reservist Association (VdRBw) and many personal conversations with former members of the German Navy led to around 20 reservists meeting in mid-1972 and founding a new Reserve Comradeship Navy Kiel (RC Navy Kiel) on October 1, 1972. Manfred Heidenreich became chairman and Dieter Stier 1st deputy chairman.
In order to deepen maritime knowledge and foster camaraderie, the board decided to offer boat training. To this end, Navy Cutters were made available for training purposes by the German Navy in Kiel and Plön. Theoretical training took place during the winter months and practical training during the summer months.
After much effort on the part of the board, two decommissioned Navy Cutter were made available free of charge to the RC Navy Kiel in 1975 and 1976 by the German Navy for training purposes.
In addition to participating in the Navy Cutter regattas during the Kiel Week, the first sailing trip to the Danish Home Guard in Assens (Funen) was carried out in 1976. The contact with the Danes slowly turned into real friendships, some of which still exist today.
Due to the steadily increasing number of members, space on the boats was becoming limited. The board therefore made intensive efforts to acquire launches from the German Navy. Gradually, an Admiral Launch and two Traffic Boats were handed over to the RC Navy Kiel.
2004 bis 2024
After more than 32 years of successful service on the board, a change took place in 2004. Manfred Heidenreich handed over the reins to Frank Steffen. Manfred Heidenreich was appointed honorary chairman and continued to be available as organizer of the long-distance sailing trip until 2015.
Based on designs by our comrade Maik Ströhemann, the RC Navy Kiel received its own collection in 2005, consisting of a cap, polo shirt and fleece jacket.
The coat of arms followed in 2006. The design also came from Maik Ströhemann and was graphically implemented with the support of graphic designer Thorsten Hardel (39punkt reklame).
A comprehensive refurbishment of the boats has now begun. In particular, a great deal of work has been done on the Traffic Boat KUDDEL and the boat supervisor Jens Sörensen has done with the active support of Werner Lenzke and Ulrich Beltermann much for the preservation and improvement.
Sailing with schoolchildren, disabled and disadvantaged youth has become a regular part of the annual activities, as has supporting Kiel Sailing City (camp|24sieben). In addition, company sports groups use the Navy Cutter KEULE and MELLON; however, the skippers are generally members of the RC Navy Kiel.
Excursions, sightseeing tours, and trips were also included in the program. A special trip took place in 2009. The three-week trip to Berlin (commemorating 20 years of German reunification) was planned and prepared over twelve months.
From 2014 onwards, the RC Navy Kiel also participated in organizing marches, providing personnel and boats. The Förde March (May), Schwentine March (August), and Kiel Canal March (October) have all become established events.
Like everyone else, the club experienced a severe disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic, bringing everything to a standstill. The restart afterwards was very difficult, and unfortunately, many things never returned to the way they had been before.
Present
In the summer of 2023, Chairman Frank Steffen announced his intention to step down from his position prematurely. Therefore, a by-election was held in January 2024, and long-time member Ulrich Beltermann was elected as the new chairman.
Many unfinished tasks from the Corona period needed to be addressed, and new problems arose. For example, the RC Navy Kiel lost its berth in the Kiel Wik marina, which it had used for years, overnight. The boats' winter storage location also had to be changed several times due to unforeseen circumstances.
Due to the changed security situation, there have also been changes that have resulted in the unavailability of previously used basement storage areas next year. The relocation of the stored materials will require manpower.
In the summer of 2025, the Reserve Comradeship RC Kiel contacted us, as it was planning to dissolve and its members were to transfer to the RC Navy Kiel. This process has progressed to the point that the RC Kiel will be dissolved at the turn of the year 2025/2026 and the RC Navy Kiel will then become one of the largest reserve comradeship in Germany with over 400 members.
This brings new tasks and challenges, but there is also hope that it will revitalize club life and annual events.
