German yards benefit from small ship work

Diedrich in Oldersum re-engined the 32m long Baltrum 111 as part of a major conversion of that 40 year old ferry, which it built in 1971. The yard installed two new Scania main diesels of type D1-12-59 which together produce 662kW, replacing old KHD Type SBA 6M816 diesels of a combined 470kW. The new engines are reportedly more eco-friendly, with less sulphur emission. At the same time the ship’s reverse gear plant was removed and replaced with two Reintes units of type WAF-244L.

As well as the engine work, the yard installed a new bridge console and replaced bridge interiors and installed thicker safety glass on the lower deck. The underwater hull was painted and the ship underwent heeling tests.

Inga Haneborger at Diedrich told MJ the yard tackled other jobs at the same time as Baltrum 111 after a busy start of year. The latest work included underwater painting and crankshaft repairs on the 35m mussel boat Anna as well as work on a second mussel cutter Andrea and on the 16m pilot tender Knock.

The yard also repaired the fender and anchor chains on the 26m wind farm tender Marineco Mariah and cleaned and painted the motor yacht Sirius. The 44.6m long and 10.5m wide Störtebeker also called for repairs and maintenance work, including inspection of propeller, shaft, rudder and bow thruster. Stern door welds were checked and repaired where necessary.

Repairs to the ship’s diesel engine plant were carried out by Petzelberger in Aurich. Propeller repairs and maintenance, including underwater hull painting, were also carried out on the 19.55m, 102 year-old smack Friedrich.

Lindenau Schiffswerft in Kiel, still in receivership but staying afloat with repair and overhaul, docked the 59.8m former Baltic excursion ship Gloria D (ex Wappen von Heiligenhafen). It made a living in the 1980s from duty free sales on EU port trips but was laid up several years ago in Hamburg when that ended.

Authorities ordered an overhaul and Lindenau MD Dieter Kuehne reported work on the hull and on the Deutz KHD-SBA 8M 528 diesels, shaft and rudder.

Kuehne said the yard also overhauled the 53m tug and supply ship Noortruck, the 26.8m Luebeck fire-fighter Senator Emil Peters and the 27m Kiel tug Kitzeberg. Two lifting pontons for shipping authorities in Brunsbuettel and the motor ship Marittima from Lübeck-Travemünde provided further work for the struggling yard.

Down the road from Lindenau the small Gebrueder Friedrich Werft was busy, among other things with the two month overhaul of engine plant and other equipment on the 25.5m police patrol boat Warnow.

By Tom Todd