It is the only grey-painted boat of the naval forces that can sail the Rhine. The crew of the “Lachs” uses its shallow draft to present the last landing craft of the German Navy to all interested parties.
On 10 June, the boat arrives in Düsseldorf and presents itself to its visitors at a Open Ship. Two days later, the “Lachs” docks in Bonn. Here, too, the crew clears the jetty for guests. On both dates, the mine divers of the Navy will be present and answer any questions visitors may have about their profession and training.
June 14 stands for the founding day of the German naval forces. The team of the “Lachs” in Cologne also commemorates this special event with a Open Ship. “Our German navies have their 175th anniversary. That’s why we want to invite guests in the ports to get to know one of our boats up close, to experience the German Navy directly on site and to celebrate the milestone birthday with us,” says staff boatswain Karsten H., long-time commander of the boat.
Other ports on the boat’s Rhine voyage are Duisburg and Emmerich. The 19-member crew of the “Lachs” is looking forward to every visitor on this special farewell tour.
The veteran special vehicle is based at the Eckernförde naval base command on the Baltic Sea. The city of Gladbeck in the Ruhr area is the godfather city of the “salmon”. It is expected to be decommissioned next year.