Our History

The Möllner Motorboot Club (hereafter MMC) was founded in November 1973. In 1974, the club signed a usage agreement with the City of Mölln for a club site at Lake Ziegelsee.

The club took over the existing pier facility from the merchant Manfred Matz.

Previously, in the 1930s, the same location housed a public swimming facility belonging to the youth hostel, including a small hut. During World War II (1941–1945), the former bathing site was the hiding place of the “Nydam Boat”, stored in a Hamburg barge. Further information about the Nydam Boat can be found on the website “Geschichte Schleswig-Holstein.”

The Matz family operated what would today be described as a private single-pier facility at Lake Ziegelsee from around 1950 onward. The usage agreement between the MMC and the City of Mölln has a 10-year term, with automatic renewal for additional 10-year periods. The club grounds comprise parcel 264/161 (Flur 31) and parts of parcel 177/1 (Flur 33).

IIn the founding year, six families—including two from the surrounding area of Mölln—came together. Today, the club has 19 families with over 40 members.

Our Facility in the 1970s

At that time, leisure activities gained increasing importance. Water sports developed significantly in northern Germany. Traditional waterways, which had served trade for centuries, began to be used more for leisure and holiday activities. As a result, many visitors and guests used the mooring facilities of the two local boating clubs in Mölln. This included not only overnight stays during transit to and from the Baltic Sea (“coastal and inland regions”), but also longer holiday stays in the region—sometimes even as a base for spa visits in Mölln.

In response, it became necessary as early as 1974 to create appropriate infrastructure meeting the needs of a modern society: waste disposal, sanitary facilities, and seating areas - allowing visitors to leave the confined space of their boats and encouraging social interaction. Personal contact and traditional “seamanship conversations” between members and guests remain an important tradition of the MMC. This tradition likely explains why many guests still regularly visit the harbor today.

Member families also introduced their children and young people to water sports, forming a youth group. This group was trained in sailing using a specially purchased dinghy, under expert supervision.

Over the years, the MMC has continuously adapted to modern requirements. This included modernization of the pier system and installation of electricity and drinking water connections, as well as renovation of the sanitary facilities (1984–1986).

The club has provided access to docking facilities for water hikers (canoes and paddle boats) in cooperation with the youth hostel. In coordination with the City of Mölln and the local fire department leadership, an accident-safe and environmentally friendly water extraction point for firefighting was established.

Since 1997, the club has regularly applied for the “Blue Flag for Marinas” awarded by the German Society for Environmental Education (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelterziehung e.V.) and has successfully received it every year. This award requires compliance with specific environmental criteria, including:

• Protection of nesting and spawning areas (reed zones)
  
• Waste separation and proper disposal
  
• Adequate sanitary facilities
  
• Energy- and water-saving equipment
  
• Safety instructions
  
• Clearly marked lifesaving, first-aid, and firefighting equipment
  

Unannounced inspections are part of the certification process.

At the 25th anniversary celebration in 1998, the Mayor of Mölln emphasized the importance of such clubs for the region and tourism. The positive support from the City of Mölln and the district authorities for the club’s development has been repeatedly acknowledged.

Plans were initiated to modernize the sanitary facilities from a shared shower/toilet to separate facilities for both genders. From late 2001 until the start of the 2002 season, extensive redesign and renovation took place. At the same time, the City of Mölln constructed a sewer system in the Ziegelsee area, enabling the club grounds to be connected.

In cooperation with the lower nature conservation authority, a usage plan was developed and approved. Not only was the roof of the expanded sanitary container greened, but the landscaping of the club grounds was also adapted according to shoreline protection guidelines.

These developments led the club in 1997 to apply for a sport boat harbor operating permit. In June 1999, the official authorization was received from the District of Herzogtum Lauenburg in Ratzeburg.

We wish our guests a pleasant stay and always “a hand’s breadth under the keel.