Discover the Norderaue: Ratings & Maritime News

The ferry 'Norderaue' encountered gearbox problems while operating in the Wadden Sea, leading to its temporary withdrawal from service. The vessel arrived from Wyk upon Föhr at 2:15 p.m. on September 16, 2019, and was subsequently docked in the ferry port of Dagebüll for necessary repairs, remaining there until September 18. An undisclosed production defect in the ship's four gearboxes was identified, resulting in significant damage to one of them. Repairs could only be carried out by specialized technicians from the Norwegian manufacturer, which prompted the Wyker Dampfschiff Reederei to express regret over their inability to expedite the repair process with their own intervention crew. While passenger transport was not disrupted during this period, the operator reached out to the affected vehicle customers to keep them informed. Following effective repairs, the 'Norderaue' resumed its services on September 27 at 7:20 a.m., making its way back to Wyk upon Föhr by 10:40 a.m. and continuing its regular schedule between the two ports.

In an exciting development for maritime travel in Germany, Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei Föhr-Amrum (WDR) has announced the launch of a new ferry designed to accommodate 250 passengers, set to join its fleet in spring 2019. The state-of-the-art vessel, currently being constructed in the Netherlands, will feature capabilities to cruise at speeds of up to 16 knots, enhancing the ferry service across German waters. This announcement coincides with the recent christening of WDR's latest ferry, the Norderaue, at the picturesque Port of Wyk on Föhr Island in Germany. Heike Tholund, spouse of Captain Christ Tholund, the company's nautical inspector and fleet operations manager, had the honor of being the godmother for the Norderaue during the ceremonial event. The ferry, which was delivered by Neptun Werft, a noted German shipyard, on April 19, has been eagerly serving travelers between the island ports of Wyk in Föhr and Wittdün in Amrum, as well as connecting to the Schleswig-Holstein mainland since early May.