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Georg Büchner sank under mysterious circumstances off Poland while under tow
The "Ajaks" towing the historic vessel "Georg Büchner" to breakers at Klaipeda having a towing speed of 4,5 kn suddenly changed course southerly with a speed of 9,9 kn on May 30 and timewise ran in circles. While the course direction Klaipeda was abt. 70°, the new course was 130 °. The tug did not send an AIS-signal. At 7.50 p.m. the tug departed, and on 1.50 a.m. on May 31 entered the port of Gdynia. There were speculations about the aging hull of the "Georg Büchner" not being able to withstand the forces of the sea any longer, but also of an insurance crime as the vessel was insured with the quite unusual sum of four million Euros. The tug crew which already had made a somehow unprofessional impression to witnesses before informed the Polish coastguard about difficulties at 6.54 p.m. At 7.53 p.m. the towing connection was slipped, and at 8.56 p.m. the "Georg Büchner" had sunk. A surveillance plane was sent to Monitor any possible Pollution. The "Georg Büchner" foundered off the Polish coast but outside its territory in position 54-55.8N 018-31.3E of Rozewie. German report with illustrations: http://www.schiffe-und-kreuzfahrten.de/ms-georg-buechner-der-schlepper-ajaks-hat-wohl-probleme-sternfahrten-und-neuer-zielhafen/
Conservationists and shipping enthusiasts upset about towing of Georg Büchner to breakers
In the morning of May 28, 2013, the "Ajaks" started the much disputed tow of the hiostoric combi ship "Georg Büchner" (IMO: 5060863) from Rostock presumably for breaking up at Klaipeda, in spite of much protest and the attempts of German, Belgian and British interests to develop a conservaton concept for the ship which was refused by the mayor of Rostock, Roland Methling. Before, the British Archaeological Trust had raised concerns against the repeal of the monument status for the former Congo-ship "Charlesville" and asked to reconsider the decision and allow sufficient time for ways to get the vessel preserved. Before, the Flemish Association for Industrial Archaeology (VVIA), turned on worldwide conservation organizations and explained what was happening in Rostock with the "Georg Buchner". The VVIA was keen to bring the ship to Belgium, since the selling intentions were announced in December 2012. Also the association "Waterfoeregod Vlaanderen" of Eric van Hooydonk, had developed advanced plans. Howver, the concept of van Hooydonks was defeated and the council of Rostock created a fait accompli with the approval of the sale along with the Heritage Office of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Conservationits are very upset about the fact that the city of Rostock has not entered talks with the City of Antwerp about the ship. More about the "Georg Büchner": https://www.facebook.com/RettetDasMsGeorgBuechner http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_B%C3%BCchner_(Schiff)
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