Papenburg, 24 September 2008 - Next Sunday the biggest cruise ship ever built in Germany so far, the Celebrity Solstice (122,000 gt), will leave MEYER WERFT for the North Sea. The river Ems conveyance is roughly scheduled as follows since times may change at short notice due to weather and tidal conditions:
Sunday, 28 September 2008
| between 12.00 - 17.00 h | Sea lock Papenburg ("Dockschleuse") |
|---|---|
| between 15.00 - 20.00 h | Weener bridge ("Friesenbrücke") |
| between 17.00 - 22.00 h | Leer bridge ("Jann-Berghaus-Brücke") |
| between 20.00 - 01.00 h | Arrival Ems barrier in Gandersum |
Monday, 29 September 2008
| 13.00 h | Passage River barrier |
|---|
Time schedule will be adapted to up-to-date weather forecasts.
This schedule is valid subject to wind and weather conditions, and cannot be warranted. Changes to the schedule may occur!
There is a live stream of the ship's departure and passage of the Papenburg lock on the Internet. For the Webcam please click on www.meyerwerft.com
The Papenburg tourist office offers a park and ride service and tours of the yard which can be booked short-term on the yard premises, or beforehand by phone on +49-4961-83960, fax +49-4961-839696, Internet: www.papenburg-tourismus.de
As usual, the Emden Pilot Association will be in charge of the passage. To be best prepared, the pilot team was trained for this manoeuvre at the computer-controlled simulator in Wageningen in the Netherlands. The passage of the ship will be supported by the Ems barrier. For more information on the functioning and operation of the barrier go to www.lnwkn.niedersachsen.de.
For the sake of better manoeuvrability, the Celebrity Solstice will pass the river Ems towards the North Sea backwards, assisted by the two tugs "Weser" (2 x 2,500 kW output) and "Bugsier VI" (2 x 2,500 kW ouput).
Meanwhile, work on the following ships at MEYER WERFT is continuing at full speed. In building dock I the third club ship for AIDA Cruises, the "AIDAluna" is nearing completion and will leave the yard in February 2009. In building dock II, which is currently being extended, construction of the second cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises, the Celebrity Equinox, has already started. The ship is due to leave Papenburg next year.
