Reviews & Ratings for the Happy-Sky

On September 1, the operation to offload seven missile speedboats from the German Navy's Type 143A Gepard class was successfully completed by the vessel 'Happy Sky' at the port of Aliaga. Having arrived from Kiel, these boats will now undergo dismantling at their final destination. The fleet of seven boats, which were launched between 1983 and 1984, is part of a larger series of ten. Decommissioned in 2015 and 2016, they include the ex-S72 'Puma', ex-S73 'Hermelin', ex-S75 'Zobel', ex-S76 'Frettchen', ex-S78 'Ozelot', ex-S79 'Wiesel', and ex-S80 'Hyäne'. Each vessel weighs around 330 metric tonnes and measures approximately 58 meters in length. In an impressive loading operation, the 'Happy Sky' accommodated two of the boats in its hold while securing the other five on deck. To facilitate the transportation, the weather deck of the vessel was modified to fit three boats side by side by utilizing tweendeck hatch covers. The loading process involved extensive equipment deployment, including A-frames, custom dunnage, lifting beams, and chains equipped with BigLift’s innovative speed lashing system, along with heavy load platforms (HLPs). Due to the outdated and limited technical specifications of the boats, along with varying centers of gravity stemming from their maintenance history, a robust rigging was implemented for safety, resulting in a more substantial setup than usual. The 'Happy Sky' commenced its voyage on August 28, initially sailing towards Piraeus before delivering all seven vessels to their designated berth in Aliaga on September 1. For more insights and visuals of this significant maritime event, visit [BigLift Shipping](https://www.bigliftshipping.com/en/latest/happy-sky-ships-historic-german-schnellboote-to-final-berth?fbclid=IwY2xjawMkzLNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHice8BJv4TwYU3GlvuSbOW3tkXp89j6s2wgZ5rPiXEk4HkBUebocwNvvPspi_aem_fAjbfgnWj37mBBwomuvUHg).

In a significant maritime operation, the cargo vessel 'Happy Sky' dropped anchor off the coast of Aliaga on August 25 at 5 a.m. UTC. The ship was carrying seven decommissioned speed boats from the German Navy, namely 'Ozelot', 'Hyäne', 'Zobel', 'Puma', 'Hermelin', 'Wiesel', and 'Frettchen'. These vessels are now destined for dismantling at a local recycling facility. Each speed boat, powered by four MTU 16V956 diesel engines, has been maintained in excellent condition by the German Armed Forces, allowing for their repurposing. The engines will be salvaged for use in various other applications, including maritime vessels, trains, and energy production facilities. This aspect makes the recycling operation financially viable for the yard, as the trade in spare parts contributes to the site's profitability. To ensure that these speed boats do not re-enter military service, the dismantling process will occur under the vigilant supervision of the German Armed Forces. This measure underscores the commitment to maintaining security and regulatory compliance. For those interested in further details, a report complete with photographs can be found [here](https://www.kn-online.de/lokales/kiel/schnellboot-verladung-in-kiel-beendet-jetzt-geht-es-in-die-tuerkei-27KL2GWXKVAZPA5YNR44XPMQJI.html).

The 'Happy Sky' has been docked at the Naval Depot in Kiel since July 28, 2025, preparing to transport seven retired fast patrol boats from Germany to Aliaga for recycling. The loading process commenced on July 30 with the first vessel, the 'Ozelot', followed by the 'Frettchen', 'Hermelin', 'Hyäne', 'Puma', 'Wiesel', and 'Zobel'. All these boats, part of the 7th Speed Boat Squadron based in Rostock, were decommissioned back in 2016. Previous attempts to load the boats faced setbacks, including a failed operation in November 2024 due to significant marine growth on the hulls, which hindered the safe attachment of straps. However, with divers successfully clearing the obstructions, loading operations resumed on August 4. For further details, view the report here: https://www.kn-online.de/lokales/kiel/sieben-schnellboote-der-marine-werden-in-kiel-verladen-ziel-tuerkei-XZ56XB3A6VB63G3YM4CO34OAFE.html