Sailing training ship "Greif": Completion on the brink - who will cover the additional costs?
The Stralsund shipyard has been renovating the sailing training ship "Greif" for three years - and the work is progressing well. The hull of the schooner brig, which was built in 1951, shines again in fresh white, and the aluminium masts and deckhouses are back in place. However, there are still many unfinished areas in the interior. But as is usual with old traditional ships, the work is delayed and the costs are rising.
Refurbishment costs three million euros more
The project now costs 7.7 million euros, as reported by the NDR - A good three million more than originally calculated. A sharp rise in material and labour costs is said to be driving up the price. Added to this is the insolvency of the contracted company Fosen. The question now is: Who will pay the additional costs?
As the owner, the city of Greifswald bears part of the costs, with subsidies and donations covering the rest. In order to cover the additional costs, the city would have to take out another loan - otherwise the project is threatened with cancellation.
Many votes in favour of preserving the "Greif"
Greifswald's citizens have now discussed whether the city should take out the loan. A few years ago, it decided to renovate the sail training ship and train young people on it.
The Support organisation Rahsegler "Griffin" is campaigning for the 41 metre-long schooner brig. In a Online petition collected 3,187 signatures in favour of continuing the refurbishment. On Monday, the members handed these over to the MPs at the parliamentary session.
More on the topic:
The "Greif" as a museum ship? No safe alternative
If the parties involved fail to find a solution, there is concern that the almost 75-year-old "Greif" could be permanently moored at the quayside due to high maintenance costs. She had already been moored unseaworthy in the Wieck district for years before the shipyard brought her to Stralsund in October 2022.
But that is not a safe alternative either. Because if the "Greif" ends up as a museum ship, another problem looms: the subsidies may have to be repaid. This is another reason why the city council postponed its decision on the loan. It will meet again on 8 December.
