Die Schnellboot-Seite
Transfer of "S71 Gepard" to Wilhelmshaven October 5th - 11th 2015
The transfer of S71 "Gepard" into Marinearsenal Wilhelmshaven for demilitarisation was planned for October 6th 2015. Salvage-tug "Fehmarn" (A 1458), which was to tow the boat around the Skaw, was entering Rostock already at 14.00 lct. October 5th 2015.
Salvage-tug "Fehmarn" Picture: Frands Frandsen
Because of the weather-situation - for October 6th 2015 heavy to stormy winds had been predicted ror the Kattegat - the towing-unit already started at 17.00 lct. and passed the moleheads of Warnemünde at 17:13 lct.
The Towing-Unit passes the Moleheads of Warnemünde - Picture: WEB Cam 3 of Hotel Hübner
Enlarged from Picture above - Picture: WEB Cam 3 of Hotel Hübner
After the harbour-tug had disconnected the aft towing rope the towing-unit "Fehmarn" with S71 "Gepard" on a long rope continued at a speed of 10 knots to the North in direction to the Skaw. At midnight the unit was already at the northern estuary of the Big Belt and everything seemed to proceed in accordance with the plan.
At 07:20 lct. of October 6th 2015 the captain of "Fehmarn" realiized that the wind blowing from southeast with 6 - 7 Beaufort had churn up the sea so much that a continuation of the towing would not be possible without fearing damages. In the meantime the towing-connection had been interrupted three times.
Showing her Stb-Propel - Picture: Roland Ganzer
With the rubber boat of the tug two men were going to S71 "Gepard" with the objective to reorganize the towing-connection. The boat was at this time listing so badly that not only the rail was under water but also the outer propellers were visible at times. Inspite of that the two sailors could reestablish the towing-connection.
Stb Outside-Propeller is seen - Picture: N. Griesch
Coursesof the Towing-Unit undtil midday October 6th 2015 - Picture: AIS Marine Taffic
The boat was caught in again and as her towing-deckpoint was broken at the second disruption of the towing-connection the boat was finally towed over her stern. In this somewhat strange formation the towing-unit entered Ebeltoft Vig in the afternoon, a bight very well known by German S-boat-people as a weather-protecting bight during suadron-exercises in the Kattegat.
Towing over the Stern into Ebeltoft Vig - Picture: N. Griesch
Ready for the Tug to come alongside - Picture: N. Griesch
"Fehmarn" and S 71 "Gepard" in Ebeltoft Vig - Poicture: Frands Frandsen
At 17:13 lct. "Fehmarn" with "S71 Gepard" alongside on Stb anchored in Ebeltoft Vig. The weather-prediction for Kattegat was very unfavourable for the continuation of the towing. For October 7th wind force 6 to 7 with squalls 8 was predicted and for the 8th wind force 5 to 6 with squalls 7. Not before October 9th the towing-unit could resume the voyage around the Skaw at winds east 4 to 5.
The Skaw was rounded October 9th 2015 at 22.30 lct. At midnight the towing-unit was positioned off Hirtshals and at 12.30 lct. next day Thyborĝn was passed on southerly course. The wind was east 3 to 4 Beaufort.
Around midday of October 11th 2015 the unit was about 8 to 16 nm west of Heligoland with wind from east with 6 Beaufort on southerly course at speed 6 kts over ground. At 17:51 Hooksiel was passed.
"Fehmarn" and S71 "Gepard" passing Wangerooge - Picture: WEB at Hotel Seeblick
"Fehmarn" and S71 "Gepard" passing Hooksiel - Picture: Web Cam of Hooksiel Locks
S71 "Gepard" has moored in the 4th Entrance - Picture: Kalle Scheuch
The entering in the 4th Entrance because of the rapidly worsening light-situation could not be taken a fotograph of. The boat was given over to a harbour-tug abeam of the NWO-Pier with the help of which S71 "Gepard" was moored at 20:15 lct. at Wilhelmshaven. The chairman of Förderverein Museums-Schnellboot was very glad to be able to welcome the four naval sailors who had participated in this voyage.
On October 12th 2015 the boat was transferred into Marinearsenal Wilhelmshaven to be demilitarized there.
S71 2Gepard" in the Wilhelmshaven Locks - Picture: Burkhard Schindler
S71 "Gepard" is leaving the Locks - Picture: Burkhard Schindler
S71 "Gepard" passing Jachmann-Bridge - Picture: Burkhard Schindler
S71 "Gepard" en route to the Marinearsenal - Picture: Burkhard Schindler
S71 "Gepard" at the Arsenalpier - Picture: Hartmut Klose
"S71 Gepard" at the Arsenalpier - Picture: Hartmut Klose
Hullnumber "P 6121" at the Bridehouse has been hidden behild Folio - Picture: Hartmut Klose
"P 6121" also at the Stern hidden - Picture: Hartmut Klose
S71 "Gepard" awaiting her Transfer to DMM - Picture: Hartmut Klose
We thank the operators of the WEB Cams of Hotel Hübner at Warnemünde, at Hotel Seeblick on Wangerooge, and of the T4 Consulting at Hooksiel for the authorization to use the above pictures.