477,000 Nautical Miles - Chief Steward Leaves the "Gorch Fock" - Legendary Gorch Fock steward retires after 39 years and 477,000 nautical miles at sea
Burkhart Kempcke, the long-serving chief steward of the Gorch Fock, will retire this Thursday after 39 years at sea. His career spanned nearly four decades, during which he logged nearly half a million nautical miles and served under nine commanding officers.
Kempcke first boarded the Gorch Fock in 1985, though his early days were tough due to severe seasickness. He quickly adapted and never struggled again, going on to visit 125 ports—including New York, Bermuda, and Lisbon—each at least three times.
One of his proudest moments came during the 1987-88 world voyage, which took him through the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, and Sri Lanka. Over the years, he met every German federal president from Theodor Heuss to Richard von Weizsäcker, along with celebrities like singer Heino and Swedish royalty, including Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria.
Kempcke served nearly all defense ministers since 1987, except one he reportedly disliked. His tenure also included difficult periods, such as the Gorch Fock's negative headlines under Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, when allegations of harassment and degrading rituals emerged.
Now, as he prepares to leave, Gary Seibert will step in as the new chief steward—the last civilian employee on board. Kempcke departs with mixed emotions but looks forward to spending time with family on land.
With 4,920 days at sea and 477,063.4 nautical miles behind him, Kempcke's retirement marks the end of an era. His replacement will continue the role, but his decades of service—through storms, voyages, and high-profile encounters—leave a lasting legacy on the Gorch Fock.
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