On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the ocean-going tug Rugen, under the command of Captain Lutz Lücken, will enter the Wilhelmshaven naval base. The tug “Rugen” participated for the first time in a deployment as part of the NATO Support Mission in the Aegean Sea.
Approximately one and a half years after being commissioned for the German Navy, the tugboat Rugen set off on its first mission to the Mediterranean on June 12, 2025.
During the deployment, the ship called at various ports in Greece and Turkey. A major highlight for the crew was the ceremonial change of command from the Turkish to the Italian commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) in Aksaz, Turkey, at the beginning of August. The Italian admiral visited the ocean-going tug the following day and expressed his satisfaction with the ship and its crew.
“This is the first time a civilian-crewed vessel of the supply squadron has been deployed on such an operation,” says Captain Lüken. “For most of my crew, this was a completely new experience. But every crew member of the tug ‘Rugen’ contributed to its successful execution,” he continues.
The ocean-going tug Rugen covered approximately 17,000 nautical miles, which corresponds to roughly 31,484 kilometers, and is entering port with a crew of 24. In addition to the regular crew of 20, there are two civilian employees and two soldiers on board for personnel support.