Reviews & Ratings for the Maria-S.-Merian

The renowned research vessel 'Sonne' and the 'Maria S. Merian' are currently undergoing preparations at the Lloyd Yard in Bremerhaven. They are scheduled to embark on a crucial mission to the 'Polarstern' on May 18. This supply operation aims to deliver essential equipment, provisions, and replacement crew to the scientists and crew stationed in the Arctic Ocean. Originally, the plan was to utilize icebreakers and aircraft for supplying the 'Polarstern'; however, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure of many ports and airports in the area, making this approach unfeasible. Instead, the 'Polarstern' will navigate away from its ice floe to rendezvous with the supply vessels at the ice barrier, where the necessary exchange will be conducted.

On March 10, 2017, the research vessel Maria S. Merian found itself at the center of an unusual incident involving suspected encroachment into Finnish territorial waters. The event unfolded around midnight in the Åland Sea, prompting the Finnish Coast Guard to initiate an investigation into the potential violation. While the situation did not escalate into a crisis, it remains a distinctive occurrence in maritime affairs, underscoring the complexities surrounding international waters and jurisdiction.

The research vessel 'Maria S. Merian' has been anchored at the MWB Shipyard in Bremerhaven for a staggering 57 days as repairs on her Schottel drives continue. Recent disclosures from Berlin indicate that the vessel has incurred repair costs of approximately €500,000 and has experienced an alarming 588 days of downtime since its launch eight years ago. Built at the Kroeger Werft on a Polish hull in 2006, the 'Maria S. Merian' was commissioned at a cost of €56.4 million and features a main propulsion system that includes two Schottel electric propulsors, each rated at 2050kW and equipped with propellers measuring 2,500mm, allowing for speeds up to 15 knots. Additionally, it is outfitted with a Schottel Pump-Jet Type SPJ 320, delivering a maximum of 2,200kW for auxiliary propulsion, and a Schottel SST 900 steering system. The vessel’s latest repair visit to MWB commenced on August 16, 2014, triggered by persistent swivel bearing and related pod drive issues. With work provided by German Dry Docks (GDD) already extending over three months, no timeline for completion has been communicated. In response to parliamentary inquiries concerning the ship's frequent repairs, the Ministry of Education and Research revealed that the 'Maria S. Merian' has experienced 10 major breakdowns linked to its pod propulsion system prior to this round of repairs. Common problems included sealing defects, operational failures of the pod drives, and malfunctioning swivel bearings. Cumulatively, these issues have led to repair costs surpassing €500,000 and yard stays that varied dramatically from five days to up to 189 days. The total downtime for the vessel stands at 588 days since it was put into service in 2006. When questioned about potential government interventions in this ongoing situation, the Ministry mentioned that they are awaiting the findings of a report on possible modifications to the ship’s propulsion system and maintenance schedules. These insights are deemed critical for future decisions regarding the propulsion systems of new research vessels.