Details and history of Dannebrog

• The Royal Yacht Dannebrog was built in 1931–1932 and serves as the official and private residence of the Royal Family on summer cruises in Denmark or state visits overseas.
• The Royal Yacht Dannebrog was named by Queen Alexandrine in Copenhagen in 1931 and hoisted its flag for the first time on 26 May 1932.
• Dannebrog was built in 1931–1932 at the Naval Dockyard in Copenhagen as a replacement for the previous royal vessel, the paddle steamer Dannebrog from 1879. The ship’s hull is a riveted steel construction on transverse frames. It has a clipper bow and an elliptic stern. Seen from outside, the Royal Yacht can be divided into two sections, with the crew’s quarters, cargo and the engine placed forward of the funnel.
• During visits to Danish and foreign ports, the covered quarterdeck is used for receptions.
• The royal compartment includes The Queen’s study, a dining salon, a lounge, the bedrooms and more. The Queen takes a personal interest in the interior design, furnishings and general outfitting of the yacht. The royal compartment contains furniture and fittings from the previous royal vessel from 1879.
• The Royal Yacht Dannebrog is an independent command administered by the Captain of the Royal Yacht, who is a member of the Royal Court. Dannebrog’s full crew consists of 9 officers, 7 sergeants, 2 able seamen, 2nd class and 36–39 conscripts, all specially selected from the Navy.
• Every year in January, a new team of conscripts begin at the Navy’s basic training school in Frederikshavn, where they undergo comprehensive naval training before reporting for duty on board the Royal Yacht Dannebrog in April.
• The conscripts handle all of the practical tasks on board, such as helmsman or lookout duty while sailing, guard service in port as well as cleaning and polishing of the considerable amounts of brass on the ship, both inside and out. The chefs, bakers and machinists, too, are conscripts with relevant specialised training. After completing their service and training aboard the Royal Yacht, many of the conscripts continue their careers on the Navy’s other ships.
• The officers are normally seconded for periods of two to four years, while the conscripts stay for just one summer.
• Since it was put into service in 1932, the yacht has trained approximately 3,300 recruits and travelled more than 800,000 nautical miles.
• The yacht has visited most of the ports of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It has also called on many European ports, especially in France, and has sailed in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas and on the American east coast.

Dimensions of the Royal Yacht Dannebrog:

• Length overall (from the tip of the bowsprit to the back of the stern): 87.4 metres
• Width: 10.4 metres
• Draught: 3.9 metres
• Mast height: 23 metres
• Main engines: two B&W Alpha Diesel engines, 870 HP each, driving two variable-pitch propellers

A major overhaul was carried out in 1980–1981, which included a replacement of the engine room.

(Source: kongehuset.dk)