Ora et Labora: a sea legend rescued in Lanzarote
When we talk about ships with soul - those that have survived shipwrecks, wars, fires and decades of neglect - few stories are as surprising as that of the historic sailing ship Ora et Labora. A jewel of traditional navigation that today, more than a century after its construction, continues to float thanks to the passion of those who believe that preserving maritime heritage is a way of honoring history.
A 19th century sailing ship with northern European roots
Built in 1888 at the Finkenwerder shipyard in Germany, the Ora et Labora was born as a crab-sail sloop. Its classic silhouette is reminiscent of the North Atlantic artisanal fishing vessels and the traditional Canary Island sloops that for decades fished off the African coast.
Although in her early years she sailed under the Dutch flag as a light cargo vessel - a tjalk of sturdy lines and generous length - she would soon become part of the German fishing fleet. And it would not be an easy life.
Shipwreck, war and transformation
In 1909, the ship suffered a tragic shipwreck off the coast of Friesland. The rescue attempt - unsuccessful and epic - is documented in German chronicles as one of the toughest episodes in shipping at the time. Even so, the ship was refloated, repaired and, in 1937, renamed Kormoran, starting her life as a motor vessel.
Throughout the twentieth century, the boat was adapted to the new times: installation of engine, changes of registration, structural reforms, reduction of sails... But it never completely lost its essence. In 1979 it recovered its original name and was transformed into a classic pleasure and charter boat.
From Germany to the Canary Islands: rising from the ashes
The Ora et Labora arrived in Lanzarote in the late 1980s, but her voyage was far from over. Victim of neglect, she suffered a fire while stranded in the port of Playa Blanca, leaving her structure severely damaged.
For almost three decades, this restored boat in Lanzarote remained forgotten... until 2015 when it was restored by Ramón Martín Umpiérrez, a sea lover who initiated its restoration with the support of European funds. The project resulted in a floating museum of traditional fishing, which operated for several years as a cultural and tourist space, offering tours and educational outings.
Second chance: a future on the horizon
After Ramon's death in 2019, the sailboat deteriorated again and was finally auctioned in 2025. Today, in the hands of a new owner, a new stage opens for this classic charter in Lanzarote. An opportunity to continue telling stories under sail, to educate about maritime heritage and to sail, once again, with pride.
Floating heritage: more than a ship
The Ora et Labora is not just a restored sailboat. It is a symbol of resistance, memory and passion for the sea. A floating testimony of the multiple lives that a ship can have if someone decides to believe in it.
And you, would you like to get to know it?