- Work on the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers on course
Refurbishing, cleaning, welding - the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers is currently being spruced up at the shipyard and progress is going well so far. "Work on the Rickmer Rickmers is proceeding according to plan," the team posted on Facebook. The three-master was due to receive its first coat of paint over the weekend, but there are still many tasks to be tackled.
In the days since its arrival at the shipyard on the other side of the Elbe, the hull of the cargo schooner has been cleaned and partially sanded under high pressure. Found rust spots have been treated, the thickness of the outer skin has been measured, toilets have been gutted, and the 128-year-old ship has been painted for the first time. "The restorers have advised that they need at least eight work stages and drying times - time is running short," it was reported.
Unexpected issues drive costs up
Unexpectedly, there are almost 30 holes due to corrosion in the underwater hull, and the figurehead, Rickmer Rickmers, also needs renovation. All this is associated with additional costs.
The daily-open museum ship has been moored at the landing stages for over 35 years. It regularly needs to go to the shipyard for a facelift, the last time was eight years ago. The work at the Norderwerft on Steinwerder is scheduled to take just over two and a half weeks. Everything is due to be completed by August 12. The general overhaul is estimated to cost several hundred thousand euros. The Rickmer Rickmers is financed through donations and entrance fees.
History of the Rickmer Rickmers
The shipbuilding industry is faced with the task of addressing the unexpected corrosion-related holes in the underwater hull of the museum ship Rickmer Rickmers, adding to the project's expenses. The historic figurehead of the three-master also requires restoration, further increasing the cost of restoring this icon of shipbuilding history.
