Next Thursday, the ocean-going tug “Rügen” will set off on its first mission since being commissioned.
The ship will support the NATO mission in the Aegean Sea in the Mediterranean for the next six months. The “Rügen”, under the command of Captain Lutz Lücken, will leave the naval base in Wilhelmshaven at 10 a.m. on June 12. The ocean-going tug was put into service for the German Navy just one and a half years ago. In order to meet Bundeswehr standards, the ship was extensively refitted in advance. Numerous modifications were made on the bridge, in the radio room, in the cabins, in the small lazaret, in the galley and in the recreation rooms.
First deployment for the crew
“After a refit and repair phase at the Wilhelmshaven Naval Arsenal (MArs), the preparations for the upcoming Aegean deployment have been completed. After this long and demanding stay in the MArs, 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.”
According to the Bundeswehr, the “Rügen” is optimally adapted to the requirements of the maritime industry. The ship has advanced towing systems and towing equipment and is capable of towing up to 21,000 tons under full load in sea area A3 to a safe port. Sea area A3″ refers to those sea areas that lie outside coastal waters, for example the Atlantic Ocean and the British-Irish sea borders to the west. The tugboat has a workboat and the ship also offers the option of embarking additional personnel in order to be able to optimally accompany operations – such as in the Aegean Sea.
“Rügen” returns in six months
The civilian-crewed ship sails with a total crew of almost 30 people. In addition to the regular crew, the ocean-going tug will be supplemented by a military staff and one Turkish and one Greek liaison officer in the area of operation. The “Rügen” is expected to return to Wilhelmshaven after around six months.
The NATO mission in the Aegean was decided in February 2016 at the request of Germany, Greece and Turkey with the aim of quickly and significantly reducing the flow of refugees through the Aegean. With these activities, NATO intends to contribute to a situational picture for the Greek and Turkish coastguards and the European border agency Frontex. NATO forces provide support through maritime surveillance and the exchange of situational information to assist the authorities involved in their operations against smugglers and their networks. As an alliance partner, Germany is obliged to take part in the units and make ships and boats permanently available for this purpose.
