An incredible story.

On May 18, Johann Fassmer, a shipwright employed at the Focke shipyard, leaves his toolbox at home for the first time and sets up his own business in Bardenfleth—the initial spark that ignited the Fassmer company.

Fassmer's success began with Liekeveel-type planks boats and has grown over the decades.

A great blessing for the Fassmer family—and for the future of the company: the birth of heir Carl Johann Friedrich, known as Friedrich.

A good twenty years after Fassmer's start, the founding of the German Empire marks the beginning of the Gründerzeit, or “founding era,” throughout Germany. In addition to widespread euphoria, this period brings with it a major economic boom, in which Fassmer also knows how to participate.

Johann Fassmer already has enough confidence in his son Friedrich's abilities to let him join his business, now that he has also become a shipwright. This is another boost of drive and creativity that should further promote the positive development of the company.

What a wonderful gift: on December 24, 1897, Johannes Arnold Ludwig, known as Hans, was born into the third generation of his family. A world that would present him with serious challenges, but also great opportunities – and in which he would consistently pursue his course with a steady hand.

Fassmer's small sailing boats become the shipyard's first major success.

More spacious cabin sailboats round out the lineup.

Motorized work boats of this type are manufactured and sold in large quantities.

Fassmer scores its first series hit with the “Us Lütt” series of motorboats – shown here is the later comfort version, the “Wanderer.”

Hans Fassmer designs and builds the Hanseat bow cabin motorboat for discerning customers – it even adorns the company's letterhead until the 1970s.

A bird's-eye view of the shipyard, rebuilt after the fire of 1935.

The Fassmer team with a cutter ready for transport to the navy.

First major order after the war – Fassmer delivers a small fleet of rescue and work boats for the tall ships Pamir and Passat.

A groundbreaking innovation from Fassmer: a self-righting motor rescue boat with completely new design elements and a Porsche engine for the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (MRK).

The largest boat in the shipyard's more than 100-year history is delivered: the 15-meter-long harbor transport boat Ratsdelft is Heinz Fassmer's first design and can carry 50 people.

A major milestone for German boatbuilding: With the first rescue boat made of plastic built in Germany, Fassmer introduces GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) into boatbuilding for the first time – it is the beginning of a long success story.

Driven by the success of its new GRP boats, the Fassmer shipyard relocated its operations from behind the dike to its current location in Berne-Motzen, directly on the ferry route to Bremen-Blumenthal.

Popular German actor and television presenter Hans-Joachim Kulenkampff (standing on deck) is delighted with his Fassmer yacht Marius IV.

The construction of the Rönnebeck ferry marks the start of Fassmer's largest project to date – the company's first ferry with a payload of 100 tons can carry up to 260 people and will connect Bremen with Berne just one year later.

After gaining initial experience with Hanomag-Henschel, Fassmer enters the automotive industry on a large scale as a manufacturer of plastic roofs – as a supplier to VW.

Another innovation from Fassmer: fully enclosed and fireproof motor rescue boats.

The next step forward in lifeboat construction: Fassmer develops and builds free-fall lifeboats.

Fassmer delivers the powerful customs cruiser Glückstadt – further projects of this new magnitude, such as the police boat Bürgermeister Brauer, will follow.

The new administration building on the shipyard premises is occupied.

Fassmer is developing and building the innovative Niederelbe sounding catamaran using fiber composite technology for the Hamburg Waterways and Shipping Authority.

Fassmer opens a new shipbuilding site in Rechlin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and commissions a modern production hall in 1999.

The market launch of the new combined tender and rescue boat “SEL T-11.0” for cruise ships is another major success for Fassmer.

Fassmer is expanding its international business – and developing and constructing patrol boats for Cambodia.

After winning a Europe-wide tender, Fassmer delivers the largest newbuild in the company's history to date – the Norden, a buoy tender measuring almost 40 meters in length.

Fassmer celebrates its 150th anniversary – with more than 200 employees and annual sales of €30 million.

With the Hermann Marwede, Fassmer is building its first rescue cruiser for the DGzRS on its new ship lift – more will follow.

With the Solea and the Capella, Fassmer is entering the field of research vessel construction – a groundbreaking decision for the future.

Fassmer is participating in a Chilean program for offshore patrol vessels, which will mark the start of construction of offshore patrol vessels for Chile, Colombia, and Germany.

The HANSE EXPLORER crossover yacht – a combination of research vessel and yacht – is launched.

The SEL-RT 8.5 model is becoming a flagship and successful model in boat building.

The 76-meter ferry Aline Sitoe Diatta is being delivered to Senegal.

Fassmer is expanding – with a new shipbuilding hall and offices.

A very special assignment: the Rainbow Warrior for Greenpeace.

The Composite Division is taking off internationally in the amusement rides sector.

Sustainable success: the Helgoland LNG ferry, 83 meters long and lavishly equipped.

The wind power sector is at the height of its success.

Fassmer is designing and building three 86-meter patrol vessels for the German Federal Police—in record time. A fourth vessel is to follow.

The ATAIR is the first German LNG research vessel to be built that protects the marine environment with very quiet underwater acoustics.

With a major order for four offshore patrol boats for the Singapore Navy, Fassmer Defence has scored another big success.

End of an era: After 46 years, production of GRP high roofs for Volkswagen is being discontinued.

Fassmer is involved in the development and construction of the GREYSHARK™ underwater drone.

Fassmer turns 175 – and celebrates its “History of Excellence” with 2,000 employees worldwide.