Days passed by, I did my best to put the ship out of my mind. It was most definitely a memorable experience but I needed to get back to work. A few days later like clockwork the ship again popped up on Craigslist. Every time it caught my eye, the price seemed to fluctuate in a bizarre manner - from 1.2 million to 1.5 million, then to 900k, 700k, and back up to 1.5 million. It was a rollercoaster ride. There were at any given time five or maybe six posts as he seemed to be fishing for the right buyer. Of course, I didn't have that kind of money just lying around, but my curiosity and the mystery surrounding the ship kept me coming back to check its latest price.

Another couple of days had gone by without much thought and then one late night just like that the ship popped into my mind again for no apparent reason. So I went back to google and typed in a few more search terms that I had thought of and found a picture of the ship as the Xanadu during the 1970s. This looked like the ship but wasn’t 100% sure. I had to take a hard look but it seemed to be the one. I finally had images to compare my thoughts and mental images to. I was stunned, damn near floored. She was beautiful. She looked like a Royal Yacht inside and out. So I continued looking and found more and more images of the Xanadu. I finally came across her original name the ( Wappen von Hamburg ) I wondered what that meant. So I translated it to find she was named ( Coat of Arms Hamburg ). That really peaked my interest to the turning point. I no longer was just curious. I had to try and do something to save her. I wasn’t sure just what I could do but I am a creative and resourceful person so at very least I would try and figure out a solution for this old girl.

As I delved further into the subject, I uncovered a profound piece of history - the first post-WWII ship of Germany, imbued with an irrefutable significance. What truly captivates me is that this masterpiece was crafted by none other than Blohm + Voss, the vanguard of ship and aircraft production in Germany. Perhaps you've heard of them before. They were the minds behind the legendary battleship Bismarck. It's intriguing to note that the very shipyard where this marvel was constructed was obliterated by allied bombers during the war, leaving no remnants of infrastructure to build anything. This only adds to the remarkable tale of resilience and determination that this ship embodies.

Media referred this ship as a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes, she slowly took shape. However, this vessel was not crafted to be a warship. Instead, it was designed to be a luxurious ferry that would transport people from Cuxhaven to the renowned Helgoland island, a luxurious holiday destination that was also ravaged by the war. This small paradise is much like the German version of Hawaii.

I couldn't help but be intrigued - a ship that had caught the world's attention, now nearly abandoned in the California delta, overflowing with garbage and left to deteriorate. It was a haunting and surreal scene, one that left me with a mix of curiosity and sorrow.

Don't jump to conclusions before you hear my story. I may not have been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but that didn't stop me from taking on this extraordinary challenge. I'm not your typical guy who splurges on luxuries like a mega yacht project. But with everything I just learned this was not just another ship. I had to at least try and find a solution for this vessel.

The wait seemed endless as I received no response for a week or so. I started to believe that maybe the ship’s keeper had some negative things to report. But just as I was losing hope, an email finally arrived! The message stated that the owner was away on a business trip and would be back soon. We could meet and have a chat about it as soon as he returned. Finally, some good news!

I was filled with anticipation as I awaited his return. We had arranged to meet at a marina in Richmond, California to discuss the ship. I didn't have anything to put on the table, just my ideas. Would that be enough to convince him to invest in my vision? I spent the next few days brainstorming and coming up with more ideas to present to him during our meeting. I knew he was probably expecting me to show up with a big fat check, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I figured at least this would be the end of it. After this I could finally return to life as normal and put this ship out of my mind once and for all.

Stepping into the main salon, I braced myself for an unpredictable conversation. He exuded an air of intelligence and education that was hard to ignore. I knew at that point that simply discussing financial matters wouldn't cut it with someone of his caliber. I needed a more engaging topic to capture his interest.

I had arrived a little early, The ship owner was busy with his prior commitment and left me to wait in the salon of his tugboat for just over an hour. However, it wasn't a dull wait as I was free to explore his unusual vessel and the neighboring dock. The lifestyle that he led was quite impressive, and his friendly neighbors and crew members were evidence of that. Although his boat was the biggest in the marina, it was well-maintained despite its age. While waiting, I observed him conversing with a man on the dock, and what caught my attention most was a goose that seemed to be following him around everywhere. He was talking to the bird while feeding it by hand as he engaged in conversation, and I couldn't help but notice that he had a way with animals. He couldn’t be all that bad of a guy.

What I learned was incredible….