Hinrich Braren

Hinrich Braren (31 August 1751, Oldsum – 4 August 1826, Tönning), later known as Hinrich Brarens, was a Danish sea captain, pilot inspector and nautical examiner. He wrote the first book on navigation in German language and established the first public nautical school in the Duchy of Schleswig. Within 30 years as a nautical teacher he examined about 3,500 navigator candidates.

Life Hinrich Braren was born in 1751 in Oldsum on the North Frisian island of Föhr to whaling captain Brar Hinrichen.

The two "practical" textbooks remained in use in northern Germany until the late 19th century. Hinrich Brarens worked as a nautical examiner for 30 years and examined some 3,500 candidates. A certificate issued by his school and signed by him in March 1826 bears the running number 3,422.

After their removal to Tönning the family had changed their name to Brarens.