Ship's crane ‘Big Willi’

Spectacular crane lifts of the yachts for the boot

Copyright © Messe Düsseldorf | C. Tillmann - A ship's crane lifts a yacht out of the Rhine in the early hours of the morning.

Copyright © Messe Düsseldorf | C. Tillmann

Who or what is Big Willi?

Big Willi is a ship’s crane that has been known as the “strongest member of staff at the trade fair” since 1981. Every January and December, he stands on the banks of the Rhine and demonstrates his strength by lifting yachts for boot Düsseldorf.

Where does Big Willi get his name from?

He was named after Willi Weyer, the former Minister of the Interior for North Rhine-Westphalia and President of the German Sports Federation.

Big Willi in action - Here’s how it works:

Big Willi in action - every January and December on the Rhine.

What makes Big Willi so special?

Standing 12.7 metres tall, 11.4 metres wide, and weighing 84 tonnes, he is the strongest member of the trade fair team behind the scenes - a real powerhouse among cranes. With its eight engines, each producing 1,020 hp, it is considered a truly one-of-a-kind vehicle. Big Willi can be found at river kilometre 748.2.

What does a typical working day look like for Big Willi?

After warming up and doing some ‘weight training’, Big Willi lifts several yachts in a single day. At boot 2026, for example, these included the Princess V50, the Neptune Marine/Elling E4, the Princess F65 and the Pearl P63 - each at scheduled times. Big Willi lifts the yachts straight onto the waiting flatbed lorries. The lorries then transport the boats the final few metres into their exhibition hall.