The ship was named after the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator.
It completed 54 voyages, including trips to the South Pacific and visits to various world ports for diplomatic representation.
The hull is constructed of steel, while the masts and spars are made of Oregon pine.
During World War II, the ship was commissioned by the British Royal Navy as a submarine depot ship.
The ship functioned as a floating ambassador for Belgium at international sailing events and world fairs.
It was specifically designed to handle the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean during its research missions.
The vessel played a role in the 1934 Belgian expedition to the Easter Islands.
It served as a training school for officers of the Belgian merchant navy for nearly three decades.
The Mercator is a three-masted barquentine commissioned as a training ship for the Belgian merchant marine in 1932. Designed by polar explorer Adrien de Gerlache, the vessel served as a diplomatic envoy and scientific research platform. It famously transported the remains of Father Damien from Molokai to Belgium in 1936. Following its retirement from service in 1960, the ship was permanently moored in the marina of Ostend. The interior preserves the authentic living quarters, navigational instruments, and captain's cabins from its mid-20th-century operational period. Visitors can access the decks and lower cabins to observe the original woodwork and brass fittings. It is currently maintained as a floating museum dedicated to maritime history and the legacy of the Belgian merchant fleet.
From the harbor quay directly in front of the bow to capture the full length of the three masts against the sky.
Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes as the ship's decks can be slippery and have steep, narrow staircases.
Visit on a weekday if you want to avoid crowds, as the internal corridors are narrow and can become congested.
Take time to study the historical photographs displayed in the lower cabins to contextualize the ship's past.
Do not attempt to board with large backpacks or bulky strollers, as the ship's interior spaces are extremely narrow.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; generally closed during the winter months.
Avoid wearing high heels due to the wooden decking and steep staircases; keep voices low within the confined crew quarters.
