‘Schaerhörn’ revamp is bigger than expected

The 56m long and 14m wide multi-purpose and pollution combat all-rounder was built in 1974 at the Rheinwerft in Walsum. It docked at Peters Werft in Wewelsfleth in March last year for what was not expected to be a long stay but which ended much later than originally planned – with sea trials in late April this year.

Peters Werft Managing Partner Mark Dethlefs said it was discovered while working on the “challenging job” that “considerably more extensive repair measures were required than were originally planned” in order to extend the life of the multi-purpose Scharhörn.

The yard said the main work was the overhaul of the ship’s two MTU 12V 4000 M 60 main engines and its two MTU 6V 396 TC 53 auxiliary diesels as well as all its piping systems as well as the overhaul of all the ship’s hydraulics.

In addition the ship’s waste gas plant was renewed and all its cargo holds were blasted and re-coated. The forepeak section and the main deck were renovated and the ship’s 15 ton on-board crane was overhauled while the entire ship was re-coated.

Along with the overhaul of the entire electrical network including the main switch board and the complete re-outfitting of the bridge, all the technical equipment on the ship was brought up to the latest standards. All insulation was replaced and a new kitchen fitted. Crew accommodation was completely renewed.

Peters Werft said the owners of the ship – the Government’s Wasser und Schiffahrtsamt (WSA) in Lübeck – had been well satisfied with the work on the ship. Reports said the sea trials had also gone smoothly.

Now back in service in the Baltic the 1305gt Scharhörn is capable of a wide range of work. It can combat oil and other coastal waters pollution and recover liquid bulk chemicals and packed dangerous substances from the surface of the sea using sweeping arms. It is also a versatile fire-fighter boasting five fire-fighting monitors and can service not only as a buoy-layer but as an emergency tug using its 40 tbp towing winch.

Scharhörn is also capable of recovering injured or sick people and has its own hospital as well as isolation protection for its 14 crew against toxic gas exposure.

Peters Werft has already twice handled a similar ship – the 78.9m Neuwerk, built in 1997. Germany operates two further ships with coastal pollution and control capabilities – the 69.05m Arkona built in 2004 – and the oldest and biggest, the 79.5m Mellum which has been in service since 1983.

By Tom Todd