Broadcast 'Greetings Aboard': Connectedness Across All Oceans - Broadcast 'Greetings Aboard': Connectedness Across All Oceans
A long-standing Christmas Eve tradition will return to the airwaves in 2025. The 'Greetings Aboard' radio broadcast, running since 1953, connects seafarers with their loved ones across the world. This year, for the first time, Tagesschau anchor Susanne Stichler will host the programme at 8:00 PM on NDR Info in Hamburg.
The broadcast began at Norddeich Radio in East Frisia over seven decades ago. After the station closed in 1998, NDR Info took over, keeping the tradition alive. On December 24, 2025, listeners will hear personal messages, stories, and reports from crew members sailing far from home.
This year’s programme will include new elements. Pre-recorded segments, such as a feature on the Philippines, will reflect modern maritime life. The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) and the 'Classroom Under Sail' initiative will also be highlighted. Beyond festive cheer, the show will explore the challenges faced at sea. Loneliness, social injustices, and the hardships of long voyages will be addressed. The atmosphere at Hamburg’s Duckdalben Seafarers’ Mission—where the broadcast is recorded—often feels warm yet tinged with longing. Recognised as the world’s longest-running radio show, 'Greetings Aboard' remains a vital link. It gives seafarers a voice and reminds them they are not forgotten during the holidays.
The 2025 broadcast will air on NDR Info, continuing a tradition that spans generations. Families and friends will once again send messages to loved ones at sea, bridging distances on Christmas Eve. The programme also shines a light on the realities of maritime work, both heartening and harsh.
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