Type 352 Ensdorf class

The five minesweepers of the German Navy's Type 352 Ensdorf class are former Type 343 Hameln class minesweepers that have been upgraded with the TROIKA PLUS system. The Hohlstablenkboote [HL-Boot, literally hollow rod steering boats, Minehunter, aka Minenjagdboote, not minesweeper, which is Minensuchboote] "Ensdorf" class (352) were a successor of the minesweepers of the "Lindau" class (351). They underwent conversion in the period from 1999 to 2001 at in the Bremen shipyards Friedrich Lürssen and Abeking & Rasmussen emerged.

To protect against magnetic mines and because of better anti-shatter properties pass the hull and all the essential equipment from non-magnetic and shock-absorbing materials.

All equipment and systems are also shock-mounted. The main mine countermeasures component of the weapon system are the "seals". The TROIKA PLUS system allows up to four of these drones to be used.

The drones operate deducted from the actual unit (the boat or the guide platform) on predetermined paths. They simulate typical ship noise and ship magnetic fields. If landmines detonated, this is done without any risk for the actual unit and the crew.

Due to the robust construction of the "Sea Fox" [Seehundes] this remains largely unscathed. In addition, all boats "Ensdorf" class possess a sonar to detect mines in advance range (Ankertauminendetektionssonar ADS DSQS 11A). Together with the also on board ultramodern disposable combat drone "Sea Fox" (remote-controlled mine action drone with an explosive charge) can be eliminated by localized mines blowing up.

A "seal" is always at his side, to support the fight against mines. By "seal" is in the Marine Mammal not meant, but a small boat that the hollow rod steering boot support (HL -Boot) in the search and destruction of mines. With only two crew members heard the "seal" to one of the smallest floating units of the Navy. To the main task of combating mines owned by the simulation of acoustic and magnetic ignition systems. You can also buy the detonation of mines near the camp survive without damage.

It has a length of 25 meters and displaces 95 tons. Wood paneling, deck and superstructure improve seakeeping and facilitate manned operation at transfer journeys. The "seal" has a twelve-cylinder V engine -Diesel. A Schottelruderpropeller is driven by hydraulic and gives the "seal" by a top speed of nine knots. There is also the possibility that the HL -Boot takes over the control of the "common seal". By "seal" is easier and faster to cope with the destruction of mines for the boat.

There are ever two soldiers on board, usually an experienced and a newcomer. This information, such as emerging issues of the machine can be passed on to the younger. Are allowed to drive until the soldiers a "seal", you go through a three-week training. At the training includes both the map and weather doctrine as well as driver training. Finally, the commander decreases the exam. The soldiers will receive a driver's license as in civilian life, the so-called "seal license". Each hollow rod steering boat has three to four "seals" at his side. The commander of the respective HL -Boots decides how long the crew of the "sea dog" is at sea.

There are no showers or bunks on board. A long bench on the bridge serves as a place to sleep. The food supply and refueling carried out by the "Central" (HL -Boot). There, the soldiers also have the opportunity to have a shower. Since the machines are unique in the "seal", it can always come back to failures or faults. Therefore, the work on a "seal" a pure Knochenjob and at about 50 degrees Celsius in the engine room the soldier is everything demanded.

On 29 June 2012 the two mine countermeasures boats "Ensdorf" and "Auerbach / Oberpfalz" arrived again in Kiel naval base. The boats of the 5th squadron minesweepers sweep with the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) in the eastern Mediterranean back.

The "Ensdorf" left 16 September 2011 together with the minehunter "Passau" from Kiel to UNIFIL. As of March 12, 2012 released the crew of the sister boat "Pegnitz" the crew of the "Ensdorf" spot on, in order to limit their load. The boat under the command of Lieutenant Commander Arne Müller (36) made good after nine months again firmly in Kiel, it can look back on nearly 27,000 nautical miles driven. This corresponds to a distance of approximately 50,000 kilometers.

The "Auerbach / Upper Palatinate" arrived on February 1, 2012 with the crew of the "Hameln" under the command of Lieutenant Commander Guido Stein (36) in Kiel, to replace the "Passau", which had returned to its home port in March. Slightly more than 15,000 nautical miles (28,000 km) traveled by the boat in the last five months use. For the "Auerbach / Upper Palatinate" was this use already the fourth in the Eastern Mediterranean.

During the mission were from the "Ensdorf" a total of 462 check-in calls, so-called "Hailings" placed against merchant ships. In addition to monitoring the Seeraumes off the coast is for the German naval units an essential task is to promote the training of the soldiers of the Lebanese Navy. "During the sea surveillance we were often welcome a Lebanese cadets as our guest on board to these to familiarize yourself with seamanship and navigational principles," says Lieutenant-Commander Stone. The program included in this context for both boats and numerous maneuvers and exercises with the Lebanese Navy.

The exchange of crews when operating is for the German Navy now routine. In this way the periods of absence for the crews in a tolerable stay. The whereabouts of the boats in the area of ??application the expensive and time-consuming approach routes can be significantly reduced. Between the challenging operating times at sea which each 41-person boat crews had also the opportunity to Cyprus to make a break during use a family reunion in Limassol and to meet relatives. "For the crew, the family reunion in mid-May was a real highlight," says Lieutenant-Commander Müller.

On 11 December 2014, the "Hameln" in an official ceremony of the Navy in Kiel was made in the presence of representatives of the city of Hameln and the Marine camaraderie decommissioned. The future of the hollow rod steering the boat is not fully understood. Maybe the Navy sold the boat. For now is the "Hamelin" in Kiel as a source of spare parts for other minesweeping units.