Rhön-class tanker

The fuel transporter class 704, also known as Rhön- class is a two supply ships of the German Navy.

Technical data and tasks

The ships have a full load displacement of 14,169 tons and have a top speed of 16 knots. The charging capacity is about 11,500 cubic meters. The drive system has an output of 5880 kW or 8000 HP. The crew consists of civilian forces and includes 40 to 42 people.

The ships are used for Seeversorgung units of the German Navy. For this purpose, the technical means adapted to military requirements.

History

The two ships of the class were built in the seventies as a civilian oil tanker Okene and Okapi for the Danish shipping company Terkildsen & Olsen A / S and should fly the flag of Liberia. They were offered after only a short time to sell and buy on 18 March 1976 by the German Navy, which they called Rhön (A 1443 ) and Spessart (A 1442 ) introduced into service in 1977. They are named after the mountain ranges Rhön and Spessart.

Both ships are part of the entourage squadron of the German Navy, which the Rhön is stationed in Wilhelmshaven, the Spessart in Kiel.

Use

During a mission as part of Operation Atalanta, the Spessart on 29 March 2009 was attacked by pirates off the Somali coast. The backup command on board returned fire on the pirates and was able to fend off the attack, then the tanker went in pursuit of the fleeing pirates. Summoned warships were finally able to arrest the attackers.