The Baagø Ferry turns 50
For 50 years, the Baagø ferry has been the lifeline between Assens and Baagø – a connection that makes it possible to live, work, and thrive on the island.
This article marks the anniversary with a look at the ferry’s history and significance.
Panel 1: The Baagø Ferry turns 50
A ferry in operation forms a vital link between an island community and the mainland. From Assens, ferry services have operated to Baagø and Brandsø, as well as Aarøsund. Before the current ferry was introduced in 1976, the route was Assens – Baagø – Brandsø. The islands’ ability to survive as communities has depended on a reliable ferry connection and the possibility of crossing the Little Belt. However, a ferry requires deep navigation channels and a suitable harbor. Shortly after the current ferry was put into service, calls at Brandsø were discontinued because the ferry’s draft was too deep.
Communication between the ferry company and the island residents has been, and still is, important. The ferry acts as an extended arm of the islanders, and the crew assists with logistics. Today, it is hard to imagine living and working on the island without a stable ferry connection.
Currently, 24 permanent residents are registered on Baagø. Efforts are being made to attract new residents by making it easier to live and work on the island; a fiber connection is expected to be established before the end of 2027. In addition, there is ongoing dialogue with landowners about restoring natural areas.
“We have room for more tourists on Baagø – both in summer and the rest of the year,” says Marianne Mosegaard, owner of Baagø Harbor Kiosk, which also serves as a tourist office for visitors arriving by ferry or private boats.
Christina V. Nielsen, who runs a farm on Baagø, explains that many visitors are fascinated by the wide range of agricultural activities throughout the year: “They see tractors carrying grain as they disembark from the ferry and are surprised by how active the island is.”
The exhibition highlights the ferry connection as a lifeline between town and island, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the current Assens–Baagø ferry.
The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Assens Local Council, Assens Harbor, Baagø Residents’ Association, Udvikling Assens, and Museum Vestfyn, with support from the Fyn-Langeland Foundation and Assens Municipality.
Panel 2: All’s well that ends well
On April 19, 1976, the current Baagø ferry entered service. A single ticket cost DKK 6, a 10-trip ticket DKK 48, and a bicycle DKK 4. A passenger car (excluding driver) cost DKK 13, while a truck cost DKK 24.
However, the ferry only entered service 10 days after the official celebrations. The ferry berth on Baagø was not ready when the inauguration took place on April 9, where municipal council member Mrs. Valborg Kristiansen christened the ferry. That evening, Assens Shipyard hosted a celebration at Marcussens Hotel for Baagø residents and invited guests. Still, islanders had to wait another 10 days for stable ferry operations.
The period leading up to operation was not without challenges. In October 1975, the 12-meter ferry hull was transported from Ringe to Assens for completion at Assens Shipyard. During transport, the hull fell off the trailer between Hillerslev and Brobyværk, blocking the road. The hull weighed 50 tons and the superstructure 14 tons. A large crane waiting in Assens was redirected to the accident site, as reported in Fyens Stiftstidende on October 8, 1975.
Panel 3: Ferry in operation
The beet campaign had to go ahead
After about two months of operation, steering issues and challenges with the Baagø ferry berth were discovered. Captain Knud Pedersen invited the board on a trip to Baagø to observe the problems firsthand. The technical issues were resolved before the major beet harvest campaign began in October. Grain transport from Baagø to Assens also ran without delays during the first year.
Staff demands
One of the company’s biggest challenges in the first year was a dispute involving a sailor who joined the Seamen’s Union due to unpaid holiday pay. This led to negotiations and a collective agreement covering the two sailors. It marked a shift toward greater attention to workers’ rights.
The ferry today – a meeting place
Whether due to improved working conditions or other factors, today’s ferry enjoys a strong reputation. Both residents and summer house owners highlight the welcoming atmosphere on board.
“The crew takes an interest in us and keeps track of what we’re doing. It makes the ferry an important meeting place,” says Marianne Mosegaard, who has run Baagø Harbor Kiosk since 2010.
In 2025, the ferry completed 3,554 single trips and carried 24,026 passengers. Of these, 2,190 journeys were made by island residents. Additionally, 2,735 cars and 704 trucks/tractors were transported.
Panel 4: New requirements for the Baagø Ferry
I trafikbetjeningen af de små øer, (Arbejdsgrupperapport fra Skov – og Naturstyrelsen fra december 1992) kan vi læse, at Baagøfærgen var registreret for 100/50 passagerer og 8 personbiler.
I sin tilladelse til sejlads med passagerer, dateret 15. marts 1996, meddelte Søfartsstyrelsen, at færgen mellem Assens og Baagø efter de nye betingelser kun havde tilladelse til at sejle med 12 passagerer. Denne nedslående meddelelse kom efter, at Søfartsstyrelsen havde afholdt hovedsyn hhv. d. 3., 23., og 31 maj 1995. En nedklassificering af passagerfærge til fragtfærge, med tilladelse til fragt af op til 12 passagerer, kunne undgås, hvis færgen blev forlænget og forsynet med en større mængde opdriftsmateriale.
Selskabet og Assens Kommune blev nu tvunget til at vælge mellem at sejle med et maks. på 12 passagerer eller at anskaffe en større færge. Løsningen blev dog at forlænge den eksisterende Baagøfærge.
I 1998 blev færgen forlænget hos Thomsen & Thomsen Skibsværft i Marstal. Forlængelse fra den oprindelige til den nuværende længde ses især i den afstand, som færgen nu har mellem det sidste og det næstsidste koøje på skibets bagbordside.
Den oprindelige færges mål:
- L: 23.5 m
- B: 5,8 m
- Dybde: 1,9 m
Den forlængede færges mål:
- L: 25,7 m
- B: 6,8 m
- Dybgang: 2,05 m
I dag må færgen sejle med 98 personer hele året i godt vejr. Der er salonplads til 30.
Derudover er der plads til 5 personbiler eller 1 lastbil/traktor/vogn.
Det er kritisk for øboerne, når færgen ikke sejler, f.eks. fordi der skal foretages reparationer eller service. Christina V. Nielsen udtrykker, at ”færgen betyder alt. Det er vores livsnerve. Vi havde en lang periode, da færgen sidst lå i dok – så kan man ikke få varer over eller håndværkere med deres grej. Det kræver meget planlægning og logistik, når det sker. I år (2026) lå det meget tidligere, end det plejer. Det var inden vores travle periode i marken. Der er god kommunikation om, hvornår færgen ligger i dok i forhold til landbrug og erhverv, så udfordringerne bliver så små som muligt”.
Panel 5: Island connections
The ferry docks on the southern part of Baagø. Historically, there were also sailings to Wedellsborg from the northern side.
Regular postal and passenger service began in 1896 with S/S Turisten. Before that, a privately maintained postal boat handled transport of mail, goods, and people.
In 1961, the vessel “Træskoen” was introduced on the route. A harbor was built on Baagø in 1938 after a tragic accident accelerated plans.
Panel 6: The struggle for a proper ferry
In the early 1960s, Baagø residents requested improved ferry service. A ferry was purchased in Norway in 1961 and entered service in 1962.
In 1965, the route was taken over by Knud Pedersen, and later by Assens-Baagø Ferry A/S in 1974.
The former ferry later became a houseboat in Copenhagen.
Panel 7: The Ferry Carries Joy and Sorrow
Having an island just 30 minutes away holds great value for Assens residents.
The journey is described as a unique experience where conversations, news, and life stories are shared.
“The ferry carries joy and sorrow – it carries expectations, news – in fact, entire lives,” says Kathrine Vestergaard Hyttel.
“For us, the ferry makes it possible to live the life we want on Baagø. We don’t have to choose between town and island life – we can enjoy both,” she explains.
For residents, the ferry makes it possible to live and run businesses on the island.
“Baagø is part of Assens – we are connected. The ferry brings goods, craftsmen, and people. It’s all tied together,” says Christina V. Nielsen.
“The ferry brings customers to the kiosk. Sometimes I get a message that it’s full, and I should be ready,” adds Marianne Mosegaard, who also handles postal distribution on the island.
