Marinetech – all around and in the thick of the action
News and glimpses behind the scenes
The Marinetech team can be found wherever stainless steel connecting elements are used and needed. We attend trade fairs and network with people and companies from a multitude of specialist fields. Taking this broader view allows us to respond to trends in a targeted manner and to develop new ideas.
Adventure circumnavigating the globe
Marinetech supports sailing legend Baranowski
Oldest solo circumnavigator sets sail again
Krzysztof Baranowski is as well known in Poland as Boris Herrmann is in Germany. The 87-year-old sailing veteran has already circumnavigated the globe twice solo and is considered a living legend. Although he is well past retirement age, he is full of energy and currently on his way to his next big adventure.
On course with the METEOR
Originally, the circumnavigation was supposed to start in 2024 on his historic yacht POLONEZ – the boat with which Baranowski first circumnavigated the globe via Cape Horn in 1972. However, a fire on board thwarted his plans. Through a community of owners, he finally acquired his current vessel, the METEOR – a 14-meter-long and only 3-meter-wide wooden racing yacht with a classic look, designed by Stephen Jones and built at the Elephant Boatyard in southern England.
The adventure begins
Sailing enthusiast Dariusz Suchowski from Marinetech has been following the adventurer for a long time and met the captain in person on August 23, 2025, during a stopover in Laboe. One day later, the METEOR set sail – through the Kiel Canal towards Cuxhaven and on to Borkum. Dariusz Suchowski followed the route on MarineTraffic. The METEOR was traveling fast. After a short time, however, it could be seen that instead of continuing westward, it was turning towards the Ems and heading for the small port of Ditzum.
Setback off Borkum
A little later, it became clear what had happened: the METEOR had lost its propeller shortly before reaching Borkum. The harbor webcam showed live footage of the maneuverless ship being towed into the harbor by another sailor. Was the circumnavigation of the globe about to fall through again?
The traditional Bültjer shipyard in Ditzum, which specializes in wooden boats, took on the METEOR, but did not have the right spare parts on site. The problem was trickier than initially assumed: the METEOR was equipped with a BETA marine engine with an Italian saildrive from 2006. Neither of these were still in production – and suitable propellers were only available from one company, which had also ceased production 15 years ago.
A solution in sight!
Dariusz Suchowski got straight to work and contacted countless propeller dealers across Europe. With success: a suitable propeller was still available from a Marinetech customer in the Netherlands. Marinetech agreed without hesitation to organize the propeller and donate it to the adventurer so that he could continue his circumnavigation of the globe.
Deployment in Ditzum
At the beginning of September, Dariusz Suchowski personally brought the spare part to Ditzum, where the Bültjer shipyard immediately began installation. The shipbuilders had to come up with a few solutions, as the propeller did not fit perfectly and the fastening was inadequate. In the end, shortly after midnight at high tide, the METEOR was able to be craned back into the harbor basin – ready to continue its journey!
Back on the water!
Captain Baranowski expressed his heartfelt thanks to Marinetech and called us his “guardian angels” who watch over him.
Now the METEOR is sailing again – on its way to Tenerife, where Captain Krzysztof Baranowski will begin his third solo circumnavigation of the globe in November.
We are proud to be part of this incredible adventure and wish the captain fair winds and following seas – and always a hand's breadth of water under the keel!
Follow the METEOR and Captain Baranowski on his journey on MarineTraffic.
