Ocean-going tug "Rügen" in action

There was a premiere on 12 June 2025. The German Navy's new ocean-going tug "Rügen" deployed to the Aegean and is now the second civilian-crewed ship to take part in the Aegean mission. Under the command of Captain Lutz Lücken, the ocean-going tug set off on its first deployment to the Mediterranean.

Departure of the Rügen from Wilhelmshaven Photo: Bw/ Tönnies

It wasn't easy: bought second-hand, perceived with doubts. The former "Rota Endurance" was put into service on 23 August 2023. The ship had to be extensively converted in order to fulfil the so-called Bundeswehr standard. This involved numerous modifications to the bridge, the radio room, the cabins, the small lazaret, the galley and the recreation rooms. The modifications were foreseeable and planned, as the term "tugboat" does not describe everything that the "Rügen" must be able to do in the service of the Bundeswehr. Like their predecessors, the "new used" units are available for several functions and capabilities. Support for mine divers, submarine training, "survival at sea" training for pilots through to nautical training for junior civilian personnel is the non-exhaustive list. Towing also has a tactical function: returning damaged warships to the armoury was once an operational task. all this is a little more than is required of a civilian tug. You can't get something like this off the shelf, not even from Damen Shipyards, which recently delivered a small harbour tug to Lithuania. All this should be said to the critics, such as the German Taxpayers Association, who speak somewhat prematurely of a waste of money. Yes, it is money well spent, but the big BUT: the mistake of the past of ordering new units too late should not be repeated now in view of the useful life. That was the costly decision not to do so.

And now the ship is going into action, says the captain: "The preparations for the upcoming Aegean deployment have been finalised. After this long and demanding stay in the naval armoury, the crew is looking forward to the upcoming deployment," says Captain Lücken. "For most of the crew members, this sea operation will be their first operational experience and the crew is highly motivated," continues the captain, looking ahead to the deployment. For this mission, the civilian-crewed ship is travelling with a total crew of almost 30 people. In addition to the regular crew, the ocean-going tug is supplemented by a military staff and a Turkish and Greek liaison officer in the area of operation. Just like its predecessors. The only difference is that these were mostly combat units, tenders or task force providers. Until the tried and tested "Planet", see above. Now things have moved quickly. The "Rügen" is expected to be back in Wilhelmshaven around six months later.