The Mystery of Altamare

Three brave and skilled brothers bought a decommissioned real ocean rescue boat, equipped it with an engine, dressed it with sails, built a cabin, and they began the most exciting life in one of the largest ports in Europe –... Antwerp.
Mark – the youngest brother, 13 years old, the most restless; Bob – the middle one, 15 years old, but already an excellent mechanic; Jan – the oldest and most sensible, 17 years old.
The book consists of three parts, in each of which this daring and bold trio exposes international con artists and local gangsters.
In the first part, which gave the book its title, the boys investigate the mystery of the old steamer "Altamare." The steamer is sent to the "graveyard" of ships, but immediately suspicious individuals begin to gather around it. In the second part ("Diver") the boys help the police commissioner find those who are stealing cargo. In the third part ("Big Races") the brothers decide to participate in sailing races, but even here they find adventures: risking their lives, they uncover a gang that steals cars. The races themselves are one of the best parts of the book with romantic panoramas, searches for the right tactics, and fierce competitiveness.
The heroes are very lucky: they have understanding parents who are not prone to prohibitions, encourage independence, and feel all the impulses of the youthful soul. They also encounter other understanding adults, whether it's a port guard or a police commissioner. All of them speak to the brothers with respect, on equal terms.
The author, a sailor by profession, filled the adventurous, detective plot of the story with the most interesting educational material. Certainly, only a true "sea and river wolf" could so captivatingly, with love and mesmerizing details, describe the life of the port, the river with its complex currents, the system of locks and canals, and managing the sailboat itself. It is possible that in the character of the pilot and Captain Kesters, the author reflected himself. Moreover, the author had three sons, which surely helped him tell about the life and adventures of teenagers so plausibly and interestingly.
The book is recommended for teenagers interested in adventure literature and maritime affairs.