‘Shipnapping’ off Großenbrode: Who towed the ‘Adelheid’ out of the Baltic Sea?

On 3 October 2026, Thomas Reichelt was sailing his model boat, the “Adelheid”, off Großenbrode in the Baltic Sea. According to police reports, between approximately 3.00 pm and 3.30 pm, a motorboat approached the small wooden vessel. One person is said to have leaned over the railing and taken the model sailing boat on board. The motorboat then continued on its way towards Fehmarnsund.

Reichelt had launched the RC sailboat from the shore in the Niederungsmoor area. According to current information, at the time of the encounter the model was approximately 500 metres off the coast. The owner tried to attract the attention of the people on board the motorboat by shouting and gesturing, but to no avail.

A homemade mahogany sailing boat

For Reichelt, the model boat ‘Adelheid’ is something special. He told the NDR that he has been building model ships for around 50 years. His collection comprises around a hundred boats, including just two sailing vessels. ‘Adelheid’ is his favourite model of the lot.

According to Reichelt, the blue and brown fuselage was made from mahogany. The model is about 80 centimetres long and stands approximately 1.20 metres tall. According to published information, the remote control is said to have a range of up to two kilometres.

The white sail featuring a red figure and the Hamburg flag at the stern are particularly striking. Two Hein-Blöd figures, dressed as sailors, are standing on deck. The police also mention these features in their Public appeal for information regarding the model boat ‘Adelheid’, which shows a photograph of the boat in question.

Großenbrode Police are appealing for information

The ports in Heiligenhafen and Orth were also informed. Following the publication of the police appeal, neither these leads nor the search on social media had, as yet, led to the return of the model. It is not clear from the information provided why the unknown person took the boat on board.

The police in Großenbrode are investigating on suspicion of theft. Anyone who saw the motorboat on 3 October or can provide information on the whereabouts of the “Adelheid” is asked to contact the police on 04367 310.

Have you spotted ‘Adelheid’ on the water or in a harbour? Please report any information regarding its whereabouts directly to the Großenbrode police; you can share your own experiences with missing model boats in the comments.