The workhorse of the Leibnitz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), the research vessel "Elisabeth Mann Borgese", had sudden technical problems with the steering gear and stabilisers and had to be taken to the Peene shipyard in Wolgast for an unscheduled repair.
The ship was built in 1986 at the former Kröger shipyard in Schacht-Audorf near Rendsburg in Schleswig-Holstein and the steering gear is still original. Specialists who are still familiar with the technology had to be found, as a retired shipbuilder had already been activated in the past who was still able to use a certain hand sanding process. The ship had been docked for maintenance work at the beginning of the year and it had to be clarified whether there was a connection with the previous stay at another shipyard. In case of doubt, there are also insurance issues, according to the director of the IOW.
Rear view of EMB with work platform. Source: IOW
Following successful repairs, the "Elisabeth Mann Borgese" set sail again at the beginning of October.
Background
The "Elisabeth Mann Borgese" sailed for the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle (WTD) 71 Eckernförde from 1987 to 2010 as the multi-purpose test boat "Schwedeneck". The state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania acquired the ship from the federal government and had it converted into a research vessel at the Peene shipyard. It now has laboratories, a functional working deck, 2 TEU berths and can take up to eleven crew members and twelve scientists on board. A total of 6.5 million euros was invested in the purchase, conversion and scientific equipment of the ship, half of which was financed by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and half by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Christening of the Elisabeth Mann Borgese in June 2011. source: IOW
The research vessel is mainly used in the Baltic Sea for expeditions as part of the monitoring programme. The condition of the Baltic Sea is analysed five times a year on two-week expeditions, work is carried out at measuring stations six times a year and training trips are conducted with students. There are also expeditions on specific topics, such as pollutant emissions or algal blooms, as well as missions for WTD 71.
It is named after Elisabeth Mann Borgese (1918-2002), the youngest daughter of Katia and Thomas Mann. As an advocate for the protection of the sea, she played a key role in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Source: NDR, Ostsee-Zeitung, IOW
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