Press release 23.10.2019 – Hamburg Maritim Foundation – Loading the pilot-saver No.5 ELBE

Transportation of the pilot-saver No.5 ELBE to Hvide Sande

The pilot schooner No.5 ELBE, which crashed on the Elbe on June 8, 2019, spent many weeks after the incident at the Peters shipyard’s slipway in Wewelsfleth. There, the pilot schooner was cleared and cleaned by the invading silt. The damage to Elbe caused by the collision with the container ship was professionally sealed so that she could be towed back to Hamburg on its own keel. From there the pilot schooner will be transported on October 23rd to the Danish shipyard “Hvide Sande”. The yard is responsible for the professional repair of the wooden hull.

At the Hachmannkai, south of the Tollerort Container Terminal, HHLA’s floating cranes lifted the pilot No. 5 for transport to Hvide Sande into the hold of the coaster “RIX SPRING” (Baltic Shipping Company). For the lifting operation, the lifting gear gently lifted  the pilot’s hull into the hold and has positioned her securely for transport.  Elbe is now on the journey to Denmark.

After the pilot’s arrival at the Danish shipyard with slipping and preparation secured, restoration will begin. The repair or reconstruction of the damage will be made without affecting the historical substance of the interior. The pilot-saver No.5 ELBE is the oldest ship entirely made of wood and belongs to the maritime heritage of the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. This unique value has a great influence on the execution of the repair work.

The pilot protector No.5 ELBE has been owned by the Stiftung Hamburg Maritim since 2002 and is operated by the honorary members of the association “Friends of the Pilot No.5 ELBE e.V.”. The members contribute to the success of the project through their voluntary work.

Peters Werft

Peters shipyard’s slipway in Wewelsfleth, where the crews cleaned and secured No. 5 Elbe for transport back to Hamburg, then on to The Danish shipyard “Hvide Sande”.