The 70m research vessel Golden Lion has just received a complete refit at the Balk Shipyard in the Netherlands. Golden Lion a three-masted topsail schooner has the work carried out to EU Directive 98/18 on safety rules and standards for passenger ships.
The schooner Golden Lion is now looking better than new. She was launched by the yard on the ‘Day of Urk’, an event held every Whit Saturday to celebrate the unique heritage of this former fishing village. The owners of Golden Lion invited locals to come onboard, many of whom were dressed in traditional costumes, to see the remarkable conversion achieved by Balk.
70m Research Vessel Golden Lion
Golden Lion (Gulden Leeuw in Dutch) was built in 1937 and gained her fame as the sister vessel of a classic boat used by the Danish royal family. The current owners are experienced sailors, having previously run 2 renowned three-mast schooners called Swaensborgh and Hendrika Bartelds. They found Golden Lion in Denmark in 2007 and brought her to Balk Shipyard for a comprehensive refit. The yard was responsible for all the metalwork and the vast majority of the technical activities.
Golden Lion (Gulden Leeuw) has been brought up to the very latest standards in every aspect of her aesthetics, equipment and technologies. She will serve not only as a sail training vessel but also a day sailer for up to 200 guests. All the original detailing that makes the boat so special has been carefully removed and restored by the Balk craftsmen, who have once again showed their ability to combine the past, present and future.
