The military research & survey ship Planet

1 November 2021 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General, Yacht of the Month Reading Time:  6 minutes

© Dr. Lothar Ginzkey/cc-by-sa-2.0-de

© Dr. Lothar Ginzkey/cc-by-sa-2.0-de

Planet of the German Navy is the most modern naval research ship within NATO. It was built as a SWATH design in order to reduce the hull volume and to increase the ship’s stability, particularly in high seas and at high speed. It is used for geophysics and naval technology trials and research. While technically not armed, it is equipped with torpedo launch capability. Other weapons systems can be installed for weapon trials.   read more…

The sail training ship Gorch Fock II

1 September 2012 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: Tall ships, Yacht of the Month Reading Time:  6 minutes

Gorch Fock II in Kiel, Germany © ProfessorX

Gorch Fock II in Kiel, Germany © ProfessorX

The Gorch Fock is a tall ship of the German Navy (Deutsche Marine). She is the second ship of that name and a sister ship of the Gorch Fock built in 1933. Both ships are named in honor of the German writer Johann Kinau who wrote under the pseudonym “Gorch Fock” and died in the battle of Jutland/Skagerrak in 1916. The modern-day Gorch Fock was built in 1958 and has since then undertaken 180 cruises (as of 2011), including one tour around the world in 1988. She is sometimes referred to (unofficially) as the Gorch Fock II to distinguish her from her older sister ship.   read more…

Return to TopReturn to Top