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Introducing the latest addition to the Sea Shepherd fleet, the M/V Emanuel Bronner

Friday, 02 Jun, 2017

Sea Shepherd Germany hosted a festive celebration Thursday June 1st at the Vegesack museum harbor in Bremen for the unveiling of Sea Shepherd’s newest Baltic Sea patrol vessel, the M/V Emanuel Bronner, generously donated by the famous organic soap company Dr. Bronner’s.

Anne Kämmerling, Michael Bronner , Captain Alex Cornelissen, Manuel Abraas and Captain Borris Plautz christen the new M/V Emanuel Bronner
Sea Shepherd supporters at the Vegesack harbor museum in Bremen to celebrate the new vessel.
The M/V Emanuel Bronner will be used by Sea Shepherd Germany in this summer's Baltic Sea Campaign to protect harbor porpoises.
Sea Shepherd Global CEO Captain Alex Cornelissen on the M/V Emanuel Bronner.

Yesterday in Bremen, Germany, Dr. Bronner's president Michael Bronner officially christened the newest addition to the Sea Shepherd fleet, the M/V Emanuel Bronner, named after his grandfather, who emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1929 and founded the environmentally and socially responsible company in 1948 with the motto, “All One!” The family-owned Dr. Bronner’s company has been a loyal supporter of Sea Shepherd’s mission to protect the oceans, donating supplies and funds for direct-action campaigns around the world.

“As a maker of organic and fair trade soaps the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of marine environments is particularly important to us. We appreciate and are inspired by the authentic and direct action oriented approach of Sea Shepherd. We are very pleased to support ocean protection efforts off the coast of Germany,” said Axel Rungweber, Managing Director of Dr. Bronner’s Europe.

Over 1000 Sea Shepherd supporters from all over Europe came to celebrate the unveiling of the new patrol ship, which will be used this summer by Sea Shepherd Germany in the new Baltic Sea Campaign to protect the endangered harbor porpoise.

“My grandfather lost his parents in Nazi Germany, but instead of turning to hate and revenge, in response to the Holocaust he developed the philosophy that whether you’re Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or Hindu, that we are 'All One', and that we must learn to connect with each other and understand our common humanity or we will destroy ourselves,” said Michael Bronner in a moving speech at the event. “He always wanted to return to Germany before he died, but never had the chance. With this new ship in his name, he has returned to save the ocean wildlife in his homeland. What could be a better expression of the ‘All One!’ idea?”

“Sea Shepherd Germany is thrilled to have the support of Dr. Bronner’s and to be able to partner with a company that has a deep understanding of the consequences of human actions on the planet.”

Anne Kämmerling, Director of Sea Shepherd Germany

The event, emceed by German actress and Sea Shepherd Ambassador Anne Menden, included a Q&A presentation with Sea Shepherd Global CEO Captain Alex Cornelissen, Director of Sea Shepherd Germany Anne Kämmerling, and Baltic Sea Campaign Leader Manuel Abraas. After the Champagne christening of the new vessel, the public enjoyed a party with vegan food trucks, free samples of Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap, and a live concert by the German band Jupiter Jones (watch video below).

M/V Emanual Bronner technical info:

- Length: 11.65m
- Launched: 1970
- Speed: 27+ knots
- Flag: German
- Max crew: 4

Anne Menden, Anne Kämmerling, Manuel Abraas, Alex Cornelissen, Michael Bronner and Axel Rungweber answer supporters' questions.
Over 1000 Sea Shepherd supporters attended the free event in Bremen to celebrate the new patrol ship and learn more about the Baltic Sea Campaign.
Daniel Varga, Thomas Keller and Captain Borris Plautz from Sea Shepherd Germany spent over three months refitting the M/V Emanuel Bronner.
Band members from Jupiter Jones with Anne Menden share their support for Sea Shepherd's mission. They performed a free concert for supporters at the event.
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