Ferries converted to meet new rules

The work, for regular local German operators, is to comply with new EU safety standards and focuses on fire protection and stability. From 2018, ferry newbuildings, even though they only operate in shallow waters between the north German Frisian islands, will need to comply with stricter standards, the same as those for ocean going vessels.

Most ferry operators cannot afford newbuilds and the permitted alternative for German operators now is to re-equip and modernise existing ferries. Among the first to order the changes at Diedrich has been regular customer Norden-Frisia.

Norden-Frisia chairman Carl-Ufert Stegmann was quoted as saying his firm was spending more than €2m on making the 59.9m FRISIA 11 and the 61.3m FRISIA V compliant.

The conversions involve FOGTEC water mist fire extinguishing systems on both ships. Diedrich MD Jens Schaedler was quoted as saying they were cheaper and more flexible than expensive sprinkler plants and just as safe. The systems consist of fire fighting reel units, each with 40m of hose, installed at strategic points throughout the ships. Each hose is capped with a water mist pistol under 127 bar pressure.

The conversions also include additional weatherproof light metal sliding doors and some new windows while ventilation inlets and outlets were relocated on higher decks, to improve water tightness. Additional rescue equipment included floating rafts suitable for 150 persons.

The 12m wide FRISIA 11, built by Meyer 35 years ago and drawing just 1.25m, is of 1,125gt and will accommodate 1,350 passengers. It was reportedly staying at Diedrich until Spring and was undergoing more extensive work than FRISIA V, including a major class renewal as well as the safety and stability modifications required to adapt it to the new regulations. The yard’s own report on the work said the vessel was also getting saloon and staircase carpeting along with toilet renovation.

Reports said the conversion of FRISIA V, also 12m wide and of 1,005gt, drawing 1.76m, had already been completed. It is the oldest ship in the Norden-Frisia fleet and built, also at Meyer, 48 years ago. It also carries 1,350 passengers.

Diedrich said that apart from conversion to the new safety standards it also underwent routine repairs and maintenance, including propeller and bow thruster inspection and underwater hull painting.

The conversions are part of a routine winter for Diedrich, which has also seen, among other jobs, the repair, machinery overhaul and inspection of the 39.5m multi-purpose workboat Leyhoern for Lower Saxony authorities. A third Norden-Frisia ferry, the 32m FRISIA X, also came in for a seasonal summer to winter propeller swap.

By Tom Todd