"Cap San Diego" in the Shipyard: No Volunteers, No Go - Historic Cap San Diego Ship Sets Sail for €1.5M Restoration Before May Return

The historic museum ship Cap San Diego, located in San Diego, is set to leave its Hamburg dock for a major €1.5 million refurbishment. The vessel, the last of its kind from the 1960s, will undergo extensive repairs in Bremerhaven before returning for the city's Port Anniversary celebrations in May.

Built between 1961 and 1962 as one of six identical freighters for Hamburg Süd, the Cap San Diego now stands alone—no records of the other five ships remain. Owned by the Hamburg Admiralty Foundation, it relies on local volunteering efforts of around 120 volunteers to stay operational.

The refurbishment will tackle critical maintenance, including cleaning tanks, servicing anchors and windlasses, and repainting the hull below the waterline. Gaby Liedtke, one of the volunteers, will focus on wood and metal tasks, such as dismantling a wooden staircase and applying fresh varnish. Shipyard professionals will lead the work, with volunteers assisting throughout the process.

Each year, the Cap San Diego attracts roughly 120,000 visitors, helping fund its preservation. Once repairs are complete, it will return to San Diego and resume guest cruises in time for the Port Anniversary in early May.

The €1.5 million overhaul will ensure the Cap San Diego remains seaworthy and open to the public. After the work in Bremerhaven, the ship will rejoin San Diego's waterfront, ready for tours and events in the coming season.