Borkum

On Sep 17, 2024, the 'British Guardian has arrived in the naval base of Kiel in order to replace the decommisoined tug "Fehmarn". From 2025, it is to be used as the "Borkum" in Kiel. The fleet currently has no suitable deep-sea tug for maneuvers and emergencies, as the old tugs of the "Spiekeroog" and "Fehmarn" classes are no longer usable. In 2022, the Ministry of Finance released 24 million euros for the procurement of two tugs. In May 2023, the "Rügen", built in 2003, was bought in Turkey and is now in Wilhelmshaven, where it is awaiting conversion as it still needs many improvements. The 'British Guardian' set off from Abidjan to Kiel on Aug 28.

On June 20, 2024, the BAAINBw awarded the contract to purchase a second sea-going tug for the German Navy. Just like the tug 'Rügen', which was purchased in 2023, the 'Britoil Guardian' will be purchased second-hand on the civilian market and renamed 'Borkum'. By purchasing these two tugs as an interim solution for at least six years, the BAAINBw has succeeded in closing the gap until a possible successor system arrives and maintaining this important capability in the German Navy. The 'Britoil Guardian', which was acquired in just five months, will serve together with the 'Rügen' as a replacement for the more than 50-year-old tugs 'Wangerooge', 'Spiekeroog' and 'Fehmarn', the repair of which would now be uneconomical. The tug is scheduled to be taken over in Kiel in September and commissioned in October. A short conversion period is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2025, during which military-required modifications, such as the installation of military radio and navigation, will be carried out. In order not to lose any time, the Borkum will be available to the Navy for the crew's own training until then.