Preparation for Decommissioning S72 "Puma" and S79 "Wiesel"

On September  28th 2015 at 05.00 a.m. S72 "Puma" and S79 "Wiesel" left Rostock-Warnemünde, Naval Base Hohe Düne, in order to turn in the battle-ammunition at Ammunition-Depot Jägersberg and then to transit to Marinearsenal Wilhelmshaven via Kiel-Canal to have some systems and the arms removed.

At first the boats moored at Ammunition-Depot Jägersberg to turn in the artillery-ammunition, the RAM-missiles, and the startcontainers for MM 38 

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S72 "Puma" and S 77 "Wiesel" at the Pier at Jägersberg- Picture: Tino Kunzmann

The locks at Holtenau were ordered for 13:30 Uhr but the first delay already provided for a long waiting time outside the entrance of the locks. Not before 15:40 the boats got pilots and the entry-signal for the locks.

Waiting for the Locks - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

 The Pilot comes on Board - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

Entering the Northern Lock - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

Without regard to the waiting-time of more than 2 1/2 hours outside the locks the transit until Rendsburg and the pilot-station Rüsterbergen was quite swift but then the difficulties occured by so called "Absolutes".

S77 "Wiesel" sails swiftly under Levensauer Hochbrücke - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

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S77 "Wiesel" followed closely by S72 "Puma" - Picture : Tino Kunzmann

S72 "Puma" passing Sehestedt - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

Smal "Stokers Salute" - Picture: Tino Kunzmann 

Two big ships on opposite course, so called "Absolutes" provided for waiting times in waiting zones so that the boats could enter the locks at Brunsbüttelkoog late after a new waiting time there. A ship moored in the lock produced so much propeller-thrust that S77 "Wiesel" had to break off entering of the lock. Instead of using the big lock the boats therefore entered the smal south-lock causing a delay again.

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Again Waiting outside the Locks Brunsbüttel - Picture: Frank Zingle

S77 "Wiesel" in the Lock Brunsbüttel - Picture: Frank Zingler

S72 "Puma" in the Lock Brunsbüttel - Picture: Frank Zingler

The passage through the Kiel-Canal with hindrances (more than two hours delay at Holtenau and two stopps in waiting zones), provided for a mooring at Naval Base Wilhelmshaven in the early morning September 29th 2015 instead of at midnight. The boats went through the locks at 08.30 a.m. and moored at Marinearsenal Wilhelnshaven. 

"S72 Puma" still in almost fuld Strength in MArs Wilhelmshaven - Picture: K. Scheuch

Commanding Officer "S79 Wiesel", KKpt Münstermann, on his Bridge - Picture: K. Scheuch

Multi Sensor System (MSP 500), FL 1800 and Radom WM 27 of "S79 Wiesel" - Picture: K. Scheuch

View from the Prow on 76mm-Oto Melara and Bridge "S79 Wiesel" - Picture: K. Scheuch

"S79 Wiesel" with RAM-Launcher, her MM 38-Containers already removed - Picture: K. Scheuch

The long trip to Wilhelmshaven

At MArs Wilhelmshaven the 76mm-guns and the RAM-launchers as well as some instruments were removed.

On 08.10.2015 in the morning the widely stripped boats left in order to sail to their homeport Hohe Düne via the NOK.

"S79 Wiesel" and "S72 Puma" i the Brundbüttel Locks - Picture: Frank Zingler

"S79 Wiesel" passing Rendsburg - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

"S72 Puma" also Stripped - Picture: Tino Kunzmann

At Dusk the Waiting Zone Landwehr is Passed - Picture: Tino Kunzmann 

The boats secured at Warnemünde on October 9th 2015 just after 02.00 hours. Then the two boats were being prepaired for their decommissioning December 14th 2015.

"S79 Wiesel" and her Modell at Naval Base Hohe Düne - Picture: Frank Zingler