It is done. The Sail training ship of the German Navy, which Gorch Fock, has returned to its traditional berth in its home harbour after more than 2,200 days in the shipyard - and the pier now also bears the name of the poet Rudolf Kinau alias "Gorch Fock". Repeatedly derided in the media as a "ship of fools, a three-masted circus, a million-dollar grave", the ship officially completes the shipyard phase and is once again available to the German Navy as a training and representation platform.
The Gorch Fock had set off after the handover in Wilhelmshaven on World Maritime Day, which took place in a small high-ranking ceremony, with Vice Admiral Karsten Stawitzky, Head of the Armaments Department of the BMVg and Tim Wagner as representative of the Lürssen shipyard, among others. After rounding Skagen, the barque anchored in Eckernförde Bay in the evening.
To the Arrival in Kiel Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer came on board together with the Inspector of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach. During the Transfer journey from Eckernförde Bay to Kielthe Gorch Fock was flown over several times by the Transall from nearby Hohn near Rendsburg. Also a way of paying tribute. It was an emotional welcome with gun salutes as they passed the naval base. As a reunion gift for the Schleswig-Holstein state parliament, the commander navigated to the state house and then moored at the naval base. Accompanied by the Gorch Fock by numerous boats with onlookers, a large crowd of press and expectant visitors on the shore. These stood at the Friedrichsort lighthouse during the arrival and passage, and along the entire keel line up to the Landeshaus. The city of Kiel and its citizens paid tribute to the navy and especially the Gorch Fock and its crew are therefore held in high esteem.
The docking manoeuvre was carried out by the commander of the ship himself and concluded with a report to the Minister of Defence and the Inspector of the Navy. The Minister then addressed the media representatives and emphasised and praised the stamina of the commander and crew, who had completed the manoeuvre. Gorch Fock docked at her original berth again after 2232 days at the shipyard.
Before the officer cadets of Crew VII/2021 can go on board in January 2022, the crew will face an extensive and demanding training programme. They need to be prepared for all eventualities at sea. To this end, the Gorch Fock will undergo a four-week deployment and training programme under the command of Captain Nils Brandt, which includes ship safety and intensive sail training in the Baltic Sea. The training programme ends with a graded seaworthiness survey.
The timetable of the Gorch Fock Due to the more stable weather conditions, further sailing training will be carried out in the Canary Islands before the first sailing trip of the cadet crew can resume regular sailing training and practical training on board the ship belonging to the Mürwik Naval School at the beginning of January.
The German Navy, which Gorch Fockthe commander and the crew have completed the final act of an unspeakable odyssey caused by mismanagement, mismanagement and staged media outrage and can now set sail in self-determination.
marineforum wishes you a safe journey at all times.
And now off to the shrouds and "hot the sails"...
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