Who is the fisherman really?

A tribute to the fisherman with the pipe...
who was not actually a fisherman at all...

We all know him. Maybe his painting hung in our childhood home, in the summer house or at our grandparents' house – and many of us swore that we would never have something like that hanging ourselves... Until now. ;o)

But who was the fisherman really? And was he a fisherman? Why him, and is it the Danish Skagen painter Michael Ancher who is behind it?

No and no. The man, who in his homeland, the Netherlands, is called “Alte Seebär”, was not a fisherman. His real name was Dorus Rijkers. He lived from 1847 to 1928.

Rescued more than 500 people in distress at sea
Dorus Rijkers was a hero. A rescuer who was honored by King Willem III of the Netherlands for saving more than 500 people in distress at sea, making him the sea rescuer who had saved the most people from drowning. Today, many years later, the Dutch sea rescue stations are named after him.

The fact that the image has become iconic is perhaps due to the fact that a German painter named Harry Haerendel (1896-1991) painted a portrait of Dorus Rijkers in the 1920s based on a photograph taken in the late 19th century.

Since then, the image and painting have been copied countless times and have graced the walls of many Danish and foreign homes throughout the ages.

Dorus Rijkers' lifesaving career began in 1872, before he joined the NZHRM (Noord- en Zuid-Hollandsche Redding Maatschappij), and while he was acting as captain of his own boat. While at sea, he saved all 25 crew members of the Barque Australia from drowning at sea. Because of this incident, Dorus gained a reputation as a lifeguard that preceded his joining the NZHRM as a volunteer.

Based on his reputation, he was awarded the position of coxswain upon joining the NZHRM without having to prove his qualifications. His rank of coxswain placed him in immediate command of his own boat and crew.

Although Dorus joined NZHRM as a volunteer, he worked so many hours that it prevented him from taking on other paid work. Dorus and all his crew members received a sum of money for each rescue attempt and service.

During his nearly 30 years of service with the NZHRM, Dorus saved hundreds of people from drowning at sea and became legendary long before his retirement. In the waters where he served, he saved such large numbers of people with such efficiency that survival rates increased dramatically. Towards the end of his career, his role became more symbolic, although he remained active.

The Fisherman, the Legend, the Sailor, the Rescuer...
Here at the port office, the hero Dorus goes by the name "The Boss". A true legend that we are proud to pay tribute to: