Noah’s Ark saved from auction, set for restoration and journey to Israel
The future of the famed Noah's Ark museum ship, originally built by Dutch entrepreneur Huibers, is secured after a group of investors agreed to provide the funds needed for its restoration and voyage to Israel. A Dutch investor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has contributed an initial 1 million euros to pay off Huibers' debts, while an Israeli donor has promised 3.5 million euros for the ship’s renovation and its planned trip to Israel. The combined funding ensures that the ark, which was almost sold at auction last week, will not be dismantled, as some had intended.
The Ark, a 122-meter-long replica of the biblical Noah's Ark, had been up for auction at Troostwijk Auctions, where bidding fell short of the minimum asking price of 465,000 euros. The auction's failure prompted entrepreneur Daniël Vandy to step in. Vandy, who co-owns the ark with Huibers, immediately began discussions to purchase the ship outside of the auction process, offering a substantially higher sum to pay off Huibers' debts.
“We made an offer much higher than what was bid at the auction, and Huibers was happy with that,” Vandy said. “He is also excited about the opportunity to go to Israel to spread the message about God and faith.”
The ark’s journey is slated to begin in April 2025, when it will depart from Krimpen aan den IJssel and make stops in England, Portugal, and Spain before arriving in Tel Aviv, Israel, in January 2026.
The ark had become a symbol of faith for many, with plans to not only renovate the structure but also use it as a platform to share the biblical story of the flood. Vandy expressed a strong desire to bring the ark to Israel, emphasizing the significance of the message it carries. “We want to bring attention to the story of the flood in Israel, to tell the story of Noah's sons and the different nations that came from them,” Vandy said.
The renovations to the ark will include adding air conditioning and coverings to the decks to make it suitable for Israel's climate. The ark will be converted into a museum in Israel and opened to the public, where visitors will learn not only about the flood but also other biblical stories. Vandy and Huibers are collaborating with Christian broadcasting network CBN to present these stories in multiple languages.
The restoration of the ark is expected to take several months, with renovations funded by the donations from Vandy’s crowdfunding campaign, the Dutch investor’s contributions, and the Israeli donation. A significant challenge for the ark’s restoration is ensuring that it can withstand Israel’s hot climate, particularly through the installation of air conditioning. Volunteers have already stepped forward to assist in the renovation process.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue this project together,” said Vandy, who was determined to secure the ark’s future despite the uncertainty of the auction. “Huibers knows the ark inside and out, and his passion for it is contagious. We are looking forward to the encounters we will have with the ark.”
