Tamsen modernises rescue cruiser

Christian Stipeldey, spokesman for the DGzRS, the German lifeboat service in Bremen, told MJ the cruiser spent three months at the yard for special modernisation and reported it underwent “big changes”. Hermann Marwede is the flagship of the DGzRS fleet of more than 60 boats.

Tamsen carried out regular general overhaul and maintenance and upgraded operational systems on the boat. The main additional job this time however, Stipeldey explained, was the exchange of its 9.4m tender Verena with a new type of 8.9m long, 3.6m wide, closed wheelhouse RIB of the same name. Tamsen also carried out modifications to the stern where the tender is housed and on the new winch assembly needed to launch and recover it.

The new tender was designed and developed jointly by the DGzRS and Britain’s Marine Specialised Technology. It is only the second such MST tender to be installed on a DGzRS rescue cruiser. The first, Notarius, is on the 36.5m long Harro Köbke and boasts two Steyr MO 256 turbodiesels with a combined 376kW and two Hamilton Jet 274 units providing 32knots.

It was the good experience gained with the first closed wheelhouse RIB that prompted the DGzRS to order a sister for Hermann Marwede.

Because of its low draught of just 65cm, the RIB can operate in very shallow water and on sand banks. Stipeldey listed a string of other advantages for the British made tender like low weight compared to tenders of similar size and design, excellent manoeuverability thanks to the two water jets, high sea-holding capability and increased speed.

The old 9.4m tender on Hermann Marwede was being overhauled in Kiel and Stipeldey said it was for service with the DGzRS in its own right as the Walter Rose. Stipeldey told MJ however the service was not planning to replace any further tenders and was also not planning to introduce the closed wheelhouse RIBs on all of its sea rescue boats.

Built at German small ship specialist Fassmer Werft in 2003, Heligoland based Hermann Marwede is one of the most modern rescue cruisers of its type in the world, according to the DGzRS. Carrying a nautical/technical crew of 15, it is 10.66m wide, draws 2.8m and displaces 404 tons.

The cruiser is driven by a centrally mounted MTU diesel Type 16 V 4000 M90 of 2,720 kW and two side mounted MTU diesel engines Type 12 V 4000 M90 each of 2,040 kW, producing a combined 6,800 kW and a speed of 25 knots. The vessel also has two hydraulically operated 105kW bow thrusters for positioning during operations and in port.

By TOM TODD