One of the world’s most famous names in the field of yacht and naval shipbuilding, Hermann H. Schaedla, has died suddenly at the age of 76.

For more than 50 years, he steered the fortunes of Abeking & Rasmussen and under his management, the small shipyard in Lemwerder was able to evolve into an important name in yacht and naval shipbuilding.

Hermann Schaedla grew up in California but was soon drawn back to Germany as the country where he could achieve his goal of becoming a shipbuilder. In 1959, at the age of just 24, he took over the shipyard from his grandfather and company founder Henry Rasmussen.

From then on, he repeatedly succeeded in transforming his visions of extraordinary, unique ships into reality. He began with sailing ships, then moving on to motor yachts and vessels for the naval and public sector that created a sensation the world over and laid the foundations for the excellent reputation of Abeking & Rasmussen.

For many decades, Hermann Schaedla was the personification of that success. A man whose personality, unflagging commitment and immense enthusiasm for all things maritime set new standards in the shipbuilding world and his death is a huge loss to the yachting world.