Read Authentic Ratings for the Matador-3

Bonn & Mees has concluded the contentious salvage of the German submarine 'U 16', which sank in 1919 off the Cuxhaven coast. The wreck was discovered at approximately 20 meters beneath the waves, lying at the Elbe River's mouth between the islands of Neuwerk and Scharhörn. The German Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSV) had raised concerns that the submarine, originally part of Kaiser Wilhelm II's navy, could pose a navigational threat due to erosion potentially repositioning the wreck and its stern encroaching into the shipping lane. Constructed in Kiel in 1911, the 'U 16' had been listed since 1960. During the salvage process, however, the submarine broke into two segments. The floating crane 'Matador 3' transported the remaining portion of the 114-year-old vessel to Cuxhaven. The forward part of the 57-meter submarine was raised during the night of September 1, with the aft section brought up on September 3 using a specialized wreck grabber. Bonn & Mees executed this salvage operation on behalf of Deme. Complications arose when the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) disclosed that no salvage permit had been requested, and they were only made aware of the operation after the initial segment had already been extracted. Coordination efforts within the agency are currently underway. Both sections of the submarine are to be secured to avert further degradation and unauthorized access. Initially intended for demolition and the removal of old batteries, the fate of the wreck now hangs in limbo, particularly as discussions between the Directorate General of the Waterways and Shipping Authority and the Federal Agency for Real Estate (BlmA) continue. The German Naval Museum in Wilhelmshaven expressed interest in preserving part of the historical submarine, although funding constraints make it challenging to conserve the entire structure. Marine archaeologist Florian Huber from Kiel highlighted that 'U 16' is the sole German submarine from World War I that remains above water and represents cutting-edge technology of its era, suggesting that the wreck may still contain significant artifacts. The salvage procedure has drawn sharp criticism from the scientific community. Rainer-Maria Weiss, Hamburg's state archaeologist, condemned the actions of the authorities as “bungling” and referred to the operation as “illegal” and rushed. Weiss learned of the salvage effort through media reports, emphasizing Hamburg's jurisdiction over archaeological sites near Scharhörn. He characterized the situation as a blatant violation of regulatory standards, arguing that under proper conditions and professional management, the submarine would not have disintegrated during the operation. Spokesperson Jens Auer for the Commission for Underwater and Wetland Archaeology echoed Weiss’s sentiments, expressing confusion over the approach taken. He noted that the operation contradicted established guidelines on salvage operations and construction, calling the initiation of such a project by a federal agency particularly troubling. Preserving this monument in its natural habitat should have been a priority, as it is integral to German cultural heritage. The Federal Agency for Real Estate (BIMA) confirmed that the 'U 16' is federal property and that it did not sanction the salvage effort. They indicated that standard processes include notifying relevant authorities, acquiring an excavation permit under monument protection regulations, obtaining access permissions, and involvement of the German War Graves Commission. Following the operations, BIMA has entered talks with the German Federal Directorate for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) to determine the next steps for the submarine's preservation. Plans are in place to secure the wreck to prevent further deterioration and control unauthorized access, as reported on September 4.

The recent salvage operation of the World War I submarine 'U 16' by the vessel 'Matador 3' near Scharhörn Island has ignited a wave of criticism from the archaeological community. Experts have labeled the recovery as a significant misstep in historical preservation. Scheduled for September 3, the second segment of the wreck, which lies approximately 20 meters underwater and includes the submarine's conning tower, was set to be brought to the surface. Following the initial lift, the first piece was transported on a pontoon to Cuxhaven, where it faced an unshielded environment, leading to rapid corrosion and the decay of historical materials. Underwater archaeologist Florian Huber from Kiel voiced his concerns, stating, "Anything I bring to the surface can quickly become problematic. I'm baffled by the method they employed; technically, this operation is a major disaster." Jens Auer, Huber's colleague, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the lack of planning and expertise. A spokesperson for the Commission for Underwater and Wetland Archaeology lamented the absence of documentation, archaeological oversight, and previous research, calling the operation poorly executed. What will ultimately happen to the remnants of the 'U 16' remains uncertain. Currently, inquiries have been received from the German Marine Museum Foundation in Wilhelmshaven and the Benneckenstein Vehicle and Technology Museum, with discussions arising about potential scrapping of the historic vessel. For further insights and images related to the salvage, follow the links: [Spektrum](https://www.spektrum.de/news/u16-deutsches-u-boot-wrack-laut-archaeologe-stuemperhaft-geborgen/2285355), [T-Online](https://hamburg.t-online.de/region/hamburg/id_100897460/scharhoern-u-boot-zerbricht-bei-bergung-archaeologen-stinksauer.html), [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/zerbrochenes-u-boot-wrack-u16-experten-kritisieren-bergung,wrack-116.html), [Spiegel](https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/technik/scharhoern-bergung-eines-u-boots-aus-1919-sorgt-fuer-empoerung-bei-forschenden-a-b78ca843-d317-4d15-b07c-8983f50425ba), [NDR News on the submarine](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/auf-nordseegrund-gesunken-weltkriegs-u-boot-zerbricht-bei-bergung,wrack-112.html), and [Shipspotting Images](https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3881841?navList=gallery&category=61&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest).

In a remarkable salvage operation, the rescue vessel "Matador 3" successfully extracted the remnants of the Imperial German Navy submarine 'U16' from the depths of Scharhörn on the night of August 31, 2025. Originally intended to be transported to England following World War I, the submarine tragically sank on February 8, 1919, during its delivery voyage, near coordinates ♁53° 59′ N, 8° 25′ E. The discovery of the wreck occurred during a standard search conducted by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) several weeks prior, unveiling a hull that appeared to be largely intact despite the passage of time. Preparations for the recovery began when the 'Matador 3' arrived at Cuxhaven from Rotterdam on August 27. The recovery operation commenced in 20 meters of water, where a suction dredger was employed to clear the surrounding area. Salvage teams then strategically placed steel cables beneath the submarine to facilitate its lift. By approximately 4:30 PM, the tugs 'Wulf 5' and 'Wulf 9' had arrived on-site with the pontoon

On March 29, 2018, the sheerleg vessel 'Matador 3' initiated a critical salvage operation for a lock gate at Kiel-Holtenau, which suffered significant damage when it was struck by the container ship 'Akacia' earlier in February. The salvage efforts kicked off in the morning and were expected to continue until the morning of March 30. By 5:30 PM, the first section of the gate, which had been meticulously cut in two by divers in recent days, was successfully raised onto the barge 'Hörn 20'. Just an hour prior, at 4:30 PM, the severed piece was extracted from the water. To facilitate this operation, workers from Nobiskrug Yard and the Canal Authority undertook the vital task of dewatering the gate's ballast tanks to mitigate its weight. The lifting activities began around 2:15 PM after the sheerleg was strategically positioned near the lock since noon. Concurrently, the barge 'Hörn 20' was being outfitted for the operation at the German Naval Yards in Kiel. For ongoing updates, the German live blog can be accessed [here](http://www.kn-online.de/Lokales/Nord-Ostsee-Kanal/Liveblog-zur-Bergung-des-Schleusentores-in-Kiel-Holtenau-hat-begonnen). Additional photos of the operation can be viewed [here](http://www.forum-schiff.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23#p146312).

In a bid to escape the fierce weather that swept through the region over the weekend, the Matador 3—a substantial 70-meter floating crane—has found sanctuary at Millbay. The towering crane barge, originally en route from Germany to Liverpool, departed Millbay on May 1, 2012. Two weeks prior, she had been towed into Cawsand Bay. According to Dave Atkin, the port manager for Associated British Ports at Millbay and Teignmouth, the Matador 3 was compelled to seek dockage at Millbay due to the unfavorable weather conditions, as the vessel can only operate in calm seas.

Bonn & Mees has successfully increased the lifting capability of their floating sheerlegs, the 'Matador 3', from an impressive 1500 tons to an even more remarkable 1800 tons. This upgrade not only boosts the operational efficiency of the vessel but also positions it as a leader in heavy lifting within the maritime industry.