Salvage of the sunken fishing vessel Rudolf Virchow near Stralsund started

Salvage of the sunken fishing vessel Rudolf Virchow near Stralsund started

An important salvage project is currently being carried out on Dänholm near Stralsund: the sunken fishing cutter “Rudolf Virchow”, which with a length of 24 meters was one of the last deep-sea cutters in the former GDR, is being brought back to the surface. The work on this began today, and a floating crane from Rostock was brought to the site specifically for this task, as n-tv.de reports.

The cutter sank on the edge of the Dänholm quay, between Stralsund and the island of Rügen. The exact cause of the accident remains unknown; a spokeswoman for the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority was unable to provide any information. The recovery of the ship will take place in several steps: First, divers will attach straps to the ship's hull before the water is pumped out of the ship. The ship will then be taken to the Volkswerft, where the search for the cause of the sinking will begin.

Salvage in detail

Around ten emergency services are involved in the rescue work, including divers, assistants and two captains. The fire brigade and the technical relief agency have already placed oil barriers around the sunken ship to avoid environmental damage. Fortunately, no major contamination has been detected so far, indicating a controlled situation. As [tagesschau.de](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/mecklenburgvorpommern/daenholm- Taucher-bergen-gesunkenen-fischkutter-rudolf-virchow,mvregiogreifswald-362.html) reports, the owner of the cutter, a man from Magdeburg, has not yet taken any action, although he was asked to rescue it.

Traditional fishing has a long history in Germany, dating back to ancient times. Some of the oldest techniques, such as catching fish with nets and traps, are still part of the industry. However, industry and commerce have changed enormously over the centuries. fischer.blog emphasizes that fishing in the Early Stone Age was more than just a source of food; he was an integral part of life. During the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution, fishing underwent revolutionary changes through new technologies and methods that continue to influence tomorrow's fisheries today.

The salvage of the cutter “Rudolf Virchow” not only represents a rescue operation for a strategically important ship, but is also a reminder of the deep-rooted history of fishing in the region and the challenges that the industry is facing. The coming days will show how the salvage process goes and whether the cutter will soon be able to shine in new splendor again.