Unexpected damages tie German sail training ship to port longer than expected

The German Navy sail training ship Gorch Fock will have to spend more time in port than planned as previously undetected damages on the upper deck of the ship were discovered, the German Navy has said.

The ship is currently undergoing maintenance in Elsfleth where it was determined that the wooden deck would have to be renewed before the ship can sail out to sea again.

“Wind and waves had put a greater strain on the materials than was initially expected,” a navy memo said.

Gorch Fock’s three masts also had to be replaced earlier in the year due to rust, causing the ship to miss out on a trip to the Caribbean. The three-mast has been undergoing the overhaul since December 2015.

The navy said it was now developing a different training program for officer cadets who will not be able to embark Gorch Fock this year. Any decisions on sail trips and major events in 2017 are yet to made, it was further said.