WTD workboat christened

It was a big day for the TAMSEN MARITIM shipyard in Rostock, as ship christenings are not part of the repair yard's daily routine. On 16 March 2023, a new workboat of the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 71 was christened to support the German Navy. The "Schleswig" is the first of two new Class 744 vessels that will be based in Eckernförde. The Tamsen in-house development bears the abbreviation STS (security, transport, towing) and is used to secure sea areas, transport personnel and support research tasks. The specialised boats also enable the use of underwater equipment and divers. The new workboats replace two AM and AK boats from the 1960s and 1970s (classes 743, 945). In his christening speech, Christian Schmoll, Managing Director of TAMSEN MARITIM GmbH, mentioned in good humour that this was the second new build for WTD 71 this century after the "Planet" and the first "grey ship" ever for Tamsen. Earlier in his welcoming address, he had emphasised the outstanding cooperation with the SET shipyard in Tangermünde. SET Schiffbau- u. Entwicklungsgesellschaft is part of the Heinrich Rönner Group in Bremerhaven. SET is also building the second STS boat, which will also be delivered this year. Both ships were built in Saxony-Anhalt for capacity reasons. The keel for the workboats was laid there in spring 2022. Five years after the start of planning and 2.5 years after the contract was signed, "we've almost made it", said Schmoll, referring to the schedule, which was not quite kept to, and he and his team are now heading towards commissioning with the remaining and final work. The new boat has a number of special features, including a powerful crane from Palfinger, MAN Diesel with exhaust gas aftertreatment for the first time and maximum manoeuvrability thanks to a transverse thruster. The godmother of the "Schleswig" is Mrs Susanne Ross, mayor and head of the district town council. Mrs Ross had a picture of the former minesweeper "Schleswig" with her, which served in the navy from 1958 to 2000.

Technical data:

Length: 20.0 metres
Width: 5.5 metres
Draught: 1.5 metres
Speed: approx. 10 knots