The "Stichting tot Behoud van de AMS ms BERNISSE" (Foundation to Preserve the AMS ms BERNISSE) has its goal to preserve a Coastal Minesweeper in a cultural and historical responsible manner. As far as is known, this is the only remaining and still sailing ship of the AMS60 class in Western Europe.  The Foundation has donors, sponsors and members of working parties with special knowledge and backgrounds. Every supporter will be touched by the special atmosphere and easy way in cooperating.
It is very important to preserve this historical ship and to keep her sailing! A good project to connect your name with and to make the most of your free time or just help us to reach our goals. Just come over to visit the ship and have a look around free of any obligations. Become a donor or contact us! You are most welcome to join us! In any city the ship is mooring, she has become an attraction. Every year the ship takes part in many maritime events in The Netherlands and Belgium. A nice opportunity to spend a day on her.

The Foundation has been formed by notarial deed on 2 September 1994 as 'Stichting Paradijsvogel' and on 1 September 2011 by notarial deed renamed into 'Stichting tot Behoud van de AMS ms BERNISSE'. She has a committee, co-workers and a crew. The Foundation is financially supported by donors and sponsors. The Foundation owns a cultural, historical monument; a Coastal Minesweeper of the AMS60 class.

Members of the Committee are: D.W. Wijnstekers, chairman; J. Venema, secretary; P.J. van der Kolk, treasurer; R. Rijnsaardt, security and J.M. Verhoeven, technical concerns.

The Ship.

The ship is one of the wooden coastal minesweepers financed by the U.S. Government as part of the rearming of its European allies after the Second World War. The fourteen vessels of the Dutch Royal Navy belonged to the 'Beemster"-class as they were named after Dutch cities of which the name began with "B". The Royal Navy allways had a firm cooperation with the Merchant Fleet. The Merchant Fleet was very important to the country's earnings and the Royal Navy could protect her in cases where needed. This cooperation can be found again within the Foundation with (retired) members of the Royal Navy as well as of the Merchant Fleet. 

J.J. Beeckman, M.J.J. Beeloo, P.J. Bromlewe, C. Haasnoot, W. de Heer,  P.J. van der Kolk,  H. Pas,
G.J. de Rijk, R. Rijnsaardt, V. Tsyvyan, J. Venema, J.M. Verhoeven, D.W. Wijnstekers and J.A.J. Zalm. 

The co-workers are mostly previous employees of our Royal Navy and the Merchant Fleet or persons with a maritime background or very interested in our maritime history. Most of them are retired or early-retired, however, even younger people are feeling themselves at home within our ranks.

The exploitation of our ship costs a lot of money which is partly donated by our loyal donors. For large expenses we are financially supported by our sponsors who also supply the necessary materials and specialized advices. You can find our sponsors on their own page of this website.

For more information you can call: +31 181 310 638

On behalf of the committee,

J. Venema, secretary.

E-mailaddress: Secretary