FGS GORCH FOCK (IMO Number 5133644, MMSI 211210280, Call Sign DRAX) is a sail training ship of the German Navy. Every year hundreds of cadets will conduct their basic seamanship tranining on this traditional sailing ship which was built in 1958. I was assigned for a six-weeks-tour from Ponta Delgada (Azores, PRT) via Portimao (PRT) to Kiel (DEU).
With length over all of 81.44m and a width of 12.02m she has a capacity for 80 crew members and 120 cadets. The total sail area of 2,037sqm is distributed on 23 sails bringing the sailing vessel to up to 18kts.
FGS GORCH FOCK is not only a sail training ship - she is also called the 'blue ambassador' representing the German Navy abroad.
Due to lethal accidents in 2008 and 2010, this ship was under discussion for many years and the basic seamanship was interrupted from 2010 to 2012. During her shipyard time, it turned out that the repair costs will explode (EUR 75m) and her fortune came another time under discussion. In 2016 defence minister decided to repair the ship instead of replacing her with another vessel. Her decommissioning is now planned for 2030.
With length over all of 81.44m and a width of 12.02m she has a capacity for 80 crew members and 120 cadets. The total sail area of 2,037sqm is distributed on 23 sails bringing the sailing vessel to up to 18kts.
FGS GORCH FOCK is not only a sail training ship - she is also called the 'blue ambassador' representing the German Navy abroad.
Due to lethal accidents in 2008 and 2010, this ship was under discussion for many years and the basic seamanship was interrupted from 2010 to 2012. During her shipyard time, it turned out that the repair costs will explode (EUR 75m) and her fortune came another time under discussion. In 2016 defence minister decided to repair the ship instead of replacing her with another vessel. Her decommissioning is now planned for 2030.