German Navy
Via Random Reflective Rantings
“A German Navy Boat doing a risky maneuver, missing one and hitting another one”
Reported by Stern on 22nd June 2007 Schnellboot-Crash vor Libanon and here is a rough summary in English
Two German boats crashed into each other off the coast of Lebanon four weeks ago. A video of the crash that has turned up on the Internet shows that the captain apparently wanted to allow a bit of fun, that blew up in his face.
The video video could be shown in “Ooops - the Boopers” in a special episode “crazy military accidents or: how one can waste tax money professionally”. The German fast attack craft “Frettchen” can be seen bombing across the wash caused by the other warship off the Lebanese coast. One of the observers said “that looks cool” but shortly later one of the others shouts “shit, shit.” Because after riding over the wash, the “Frettchen” can’t avoid the “Gepard”, a second Fast Attack Craft travelling parallel to the warship, any more. And so there was a crash
In the second scene, the accident is seen from the perspective of the “Frettchen.” Firstly, a fun powertrip over the waves, den someone says “look out!” but it’s too late. The boats bang off each other. In the final seconds, the camera catches a glimpse of the German flag - as if it must be made clear to whom this embarrassing incident has happened.
“No good explanation”
Götz Meiert, spokesman for the German fleet command in Glücksburg confirmed to stern.de that the video is real. The incident occurred almost a month ago and no-one was injured. But the boats suffered heavy damage because they are built from wood. Photos of the wrecked ships can be seen in an Austrian Internet forum. They show that the “Frettchen” ripped a large hole in the side of the “Gepard.” Both ships are being repaired in Cyprus according to Meiert.
Meiert was not able to say why the captain of the “Frettchen” risked his vehicle for a bit of fun. “I cannot think of a good explanation.” The navy have set up a committee to enquire into the incident. All parties concerned will be questioned. The only thing that is certain, is that the ship was on the way back from a sending-home ceremony for the “Brandenburg” frigate. At these ceremonies, it is common to sail by and salute again on the way home. A crash doesn’t belong to the normal bye-bye of course.
The filmmakers are also on the line.
Not only must the chief of the “Frettchen” prepare to be disciplined. The filmmakers that were on board face adversity too. “The film damages the reputation of the German Armed Forces; there is the possibility that the soldiers are guilty of misconduct” Meiert said. On the other hand, the have unintentionally done a good deed: the film and the photos in the Internet help the investigation.”There is hardly a loss, that is so well documented” said Meiert.
The fast attack crafts belong to an international naval unit under German command. It patrols off the Lebanese coast and ought to prevent weapons smuggling. In total, the Germans have two frigages, four fast attack crafts and two supply ships in operation. The fast attack crafts’ home dock is Rostock-Warnemünde.
Also reported in The Guardian German navy finds new enemy - itself on Wednesday January 30 2008.
They report that the captain lost his job
For ship/military fans; the “S-76 Frettchen” is a Fast Attack Craft (FAC) (German: Schnellboot) - Type 143A Gepard class. “Frettchen” translates as “ferret”
Crymod has some more detail and specifications on the ship . And here is the official page from the German Navy on Gepard-class ships (143A) (in german)