Something to watch
Films, videos, documentaries of the maritime world: And Action!
- Container shipping
- Fishing
- Ferry and island shipping
- Special purpose ships and tugs
- Sea pilots
- Training at sea
- Search and Rescue
- Women in maritime
Container shipping
Chicago Express - life and work aboard a container ship
by Neunzehn72 (Patrick Ludolph) on YouTube
What it's about: The vessel Chicago Express of Hapaq Lloyd - Container ship and training ship on its way from Europe to the East-American coast.
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die nordstory: Fernfahrer zur See
ARD-Mediathek, view till 23.07.2027
What it's about: This documentary accompanies the ship "Henneke Rambow" and its crew from the North Sea ports through the Kiel Canal to the Baltic.
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die nordstory: Durch den Nord-Ostsee-Kanal - Seefahrt unter Druck
ARD-Mediathek, view till 03.03.2027
What it's about: The film follows three seafarers who guide the container vessel "Vera Rambow" through the Kiel Canal: Its captain Jürgen Rambke who has passed the Kiel Canal many times before, pilot Nils Essig has to lead the ship through the eastern section of the canal and traffic planner Sven Krieg decides where and when each ship hs right of way in the canal.
Fishing
Die Nordreportage: Hochseefischen am Nordpolarmeer
1. Jagd auf Kabeljau
2. Ein Sturm zieht auf
ARD-Mediathek, view till 05.11.2027
What it's about: One of the most modern fish trawlers of Cuxhaven catches codfish in the Arctic Ocean. For its crew, this means six weeks shift work, a salary based on catch volume, technical problems, and illness far from any medical care.
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Die Nordreportage: Knochenjob auf dem Krabbenkutter
ARD-Mediathek, view till 23.06.2027
What it's about: About a shrimp fisherman from Greetsiel and the future of trawl fishing in the Wadden Sea.
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Die Nordreportage: Junge Kapitäne auf Krabbenfang
ARD-Mediathek, view till 15.03.2028
What it's about: A generational shift among the shrimp fishermen of East Frisia. Two young captains are taking the helm from their fathers, but every beginning is difficult.
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Die Nordreportage: Der Muschelfischer
ARD-Mediathek, view till 09.10.2027
What it's about: Shellfish fishing along the coast of Lower Saxony and the challenges it faces—a shortage of skilled workers, climate change, invasive species, and new construction projects.
Ferry and island shipping
Nordseereport: Urlaubshafen Norddeich – Anpacken für die Feriengäste
ARD-Mediathek, view till 26.01.2028
What it's about: Ferry service from Norddeich to the islands of Norderney and Juist, and what that entails.
Special purpose ships and tugs
Die Nordreportage: Wächter der Wasserstraßen - Im Einsatz für eine sichere Ostsee
ARD-Mediathek, view till 04.01.2028
What it's about: Three days and three nights on the water with the experts on tugs and other vessels operated by the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority.
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Die Nordreportage: Ankerbergung in der Nordsee
ARD-Mediathek, view till 01.07.2027
What it's about: The salvage vessel “Wulf 9” is recovering an anchor from the North Sea that would otherwise pose a safety hazard to ships navigating the area.
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Die Nordreportage: Schleppereinsatz bei Wind und Wetter
ARD-Mediathek, view till 09.01.2028
What it's about: From wind turbine blades to Airbus aircraft parts—these tugs from Cuxhaven haul everything without its own propulsion.
Sea pilots
Die Nordreportage: Nordseelotsen im Sturm
ARD-Mediathek, view till 09.01.2028
What it's about: It's a dangerous job—whether under bright sunshine or in wind and rain, the ships must be piloted. That means transferring from small pilot boats to towering merchant ships, even in a storm.
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Nord-Ostsee-Kanal - Lotsen, Lasten und Verfall
ZDF-Mediathek
What it's about: This episode of “ZDF.reportage” follows people both on and off the canal, offering a glimpse into their daily lives along this beautiful yet dilapidated waterway.
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die nordstory: Lotsen-Nachwuchs für den Nord-Ostsee-Kanal
ARD-Mediathek, view till 05.05.2027
What it's about: A pilot's daily routine at the Kiel Canal.
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DIE REPORTAGE: Die neuen Elblotsen - Gefragt und gefordert
ARD-Mediathek, view till 21.01.2027
What it's about: Training of future pilots for the Elbe Pilots' Association.
Training at sea
On Deck: Dokuserie über die Ausbildung auf einem Frachtschiff
ZDF-Mediathek
What it's about: In four episodes, each just under half an hour long, the documentary series follows 14 trainees aboard the Chicago Express, ranging from a ship's mechanic to a master-in-training.
Search and Rescue
Die Seenotretter
ARD-Mediathek, season 1 available till 22.11.2027 (episode 1) and season 2 till 26.04.2028 (episode 1)
What it's about: Mayday! Fire on board, man overboard, a heart attack at sea, or a sailboat aground: Search and rescue teams come to the aid of those in distress, come rain or shine. On call around the clock, they provide assistance at any time in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and save lives. For months, cameras followed the dangerous missions of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS). A documentary series featuring spectacular footage on the high seas.
Women in maritime
37°Leben: Die Seefrau
ZDF-Mediathek
What it's about:: A documentary about a young female shrimp fisherwoman in Neuharlingersiel.
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VDR Film zum International Day for Women in Maritime
YouTube, by mach meer
What it's about: To mark International Women in Maritime Day on May 18, the Shipowners' Association followed a woman working in the maritime industry through her typical workday.
