Ferry debacle: Petition launched to preserve the old grinding ferry "Missunde II"
Jill Grigoleit
· 13.05.2024
The petition's explanatory text criticises the new ferry as being too large and too heavy and doubts that the ferry will be able to operate even after a conversion. The head of the interest group is Brodersby's mayor Joschka Buhmann: "In our eyes, an idea is being held on to here that is not viable in terms of realisation. Taxpayers' money is being wasted here." Even if the new ferry is made navigable, it is not economically viable for the ferry leaseholder. The new "Missunde III" takes twice as long to reach the other shore and can no longer be travelled with just one person. "Then we might have a new ferry that might be able to run, but no operator," says Buhmann.
The petition was launched on the same day that State Secretary Tobias von der Heide (CDU) explained once again in the state's Economic and Digitisation Committee that a new ferry was necessary due to a new European safety regulation. According to a cost estimate, the 20-year-old ferry "Missunde II" would have had to be rebuilt for 1.7 million euros, while the cost estimate for the construction of a new solar-powered ferry was 2.5 million euros, which, however, could not be met. In the end, 3.9 million euros had to be paid. As there was no economically viable berth for the old ferry, it was sold before the new ferry was commissioned. (More on the repurchase of the old ferry in the article below). "There is no question that the "Missunde III" has not been a success story so far," von der Heide told the committee. However, there is no reason not to hold on to it. There is confidence that the new ferry will operate safely and reliably. However, this will only be possible if there is another period without a ferry connection for the necessary work in the autumn.
Original news: Electric ferry "Missunde III" too big - old grinding ferry back in service
The old grinding ferry "Missunde II" had actually already had its day. Its successor, the modern electric ferry "Missunde III", was due to start operating in March. The State Agency for Coastal Defence, National Park and Marine Protection (LKN) had already sold the old ferry at a scrap value of 17,000 euros - prematurely, as it turned out. During test operation, various problems arose when using the new, significantly larger ferry. The authorities have now bought back the old diesel ferry for around 50,000 euros. Since last week, it has been operating on its old route between Kosel and Brodersby again
Even when the champagne bottle did not break at the christening of the "Missunde III" in January, this was interpreted by some as a bad omen. But even without superstition, observers of the ferry debacle on the Schlei are beginning to suspect that the entire endeavour is not under a good star. The state had spent 3.3 million euros on the new ferry with electric drive and solar cells on the roof. The new electric ferry was originally due to start operating between Kosel and Brodersby in April 2023. However, the transfer from the shipyard in Derben (Saxony-Anhalt) initially failed due to delivery difficulties, then due to low water levels in the Elbe and finally due to high water levels in the Schlei. An opening date in January was cancelled due to additional work on the jetties. The new start date was March 2024.
Modifications to the cable guide and feeder necessary: the new grinding wheel is too big
However, further problems arose during test operations. "The test runs in various wind conditions showed that some modifications to the ferry's cable guide were necessary," Fabian Lücht from LKN explained the delays in March. "The ferry can no longer be moored in winds of three to four metres or more," says ferryman Rüdiger Jöns, who is the third generation to operate the ferry. While the old 21-metre-long vessel has a carrying capacity of 22.5 tonnes, the new 34-metre-long vehicle can transport 45 tonnes. It is therefore almost twice as big. The greater weight obviously puts a lot of strain on the rope. Additional thicker bollards are required to catch the much larger new ferry even in stronger winds and guide it safely to the ramps. In order to be able to drive these, however, a soil survey is first required. And that takes time. In addition, another cable is to be laid through the Schlei and the "Missunde III" is to be fitted with additional bow and stern thrusters. Two rows of dolphins on the ferry route will make it easier to manoeuvre the vessel. To this end, the passage will be narrowed. And that "will then become a problem for the boats crossing," fears ferryman Jöns.
Also interesting:
Repurchase of the "Missunde II" at three times the price
It seems unclear who is responsible for the planning errors. In response to a small enquiry from the FDP, the Ministry of Economic Affairs replied that the planner had been given the "site-specific boundary conditions" regarding wind and current conditions. There is no information yet on the costs of the necessary conversion measures. According to the LKN, the "Missunde III" slip ferry should finally be able to commence operations in September. Hardly anyone in the region believes this at the moment. The frustration on the Schlei is great. For weeks, nothing moved between Kosel and Brodersby. Commuters had to take the diversions via Schleswig. Tourism businesses feared for their customers. After weeks of searching for a solution, the LKN had no choice but to buy back the old ferry in time for the tourist season - at three times the price.
Despite all the teething troubles, the LKN is still convinced by the concept: "We are getting a ferry that is powered by renewable energy, has twice the load capacity and can carry much longer vehicles. I think this is something that the region will be very pleased with," said Michael Kruse from LKN.
