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G4BEQ visits Hamburg

Over the Christmas period I embarked on a Scandinavian Ports cruise. One of the main reasons for doing the cruise was to show my wife the delights of travelling through the Kiel Canal. She has voyaged with me on many occasions and travel through most deep water canals of the world but never Kiel, albeit it is the nearest one to the UK. I did have a second motive and that was to meet up with Hans; DK9OS, RNARS 4636, who had invited me over on a few occasions knowing my interest in U-Boat U995 situated in Laboe near Kiel. This is something I have yet to do.

On arrival in Hamburg Hans met me at the cruise terminal and took me on-board MV Cap San Diego (www.capsandiego.de) where I had the pleasure of meeting his wife, Maren, DK9MOS, RNARS 4946, who was the Duty Radio Officer for the forenoon watch.

Cap San Diego was built in Hamburg at the Deutsche Weft in 1962 as one of the last mixed cargo vessels to be built there, she is what I call a proper cargo vessel but unfortunately this type of cargo carrying vessel was superseded by container ships. She was owned by the Hamburg-Sued shipping company and traded down to the South American ports until around 1982. She then went to foreign owners but in 1986 returned to Hamburg to be preserved as testimony of German ship arcitecture.

Although part of the maritime ship museum she still goes to sea on several days a year taking paying passengers who appreciate maritime heritage.

She is beautifully kept and whilst alongside is open to visitors who can spend many hours exploring the ship from Bridge to Engine Room. She is fully equiped with amateur radio and has the call DLØMFH, like HMS Belfast, is closly associated with the RNARS, more importantly, with MF-Runde. Her RNARS Number is 4772 and MF-Runde number 900.

Whilst I was onboard Maren was actively engaged on 40 but did allow me to operate CW on 20 whilst she made the coffee.

Unfortunately although I called on the recognised RNARS frequency no members were listening at that time.

Hans was busy with the visitors who had arrived and were keen to inspect the radio room. The commercial radio/radar equipment is fully operational as she is still an operational sea going vessel as well as the biggest civilian seaworthy museum ship in the world.

Having completed their stint as guides and operators the radio room was locked and we proceeded ashore for a stroll along the jetty to join the ferry to carry out a complete tour of the harbour, with Maren giving me a running commentry of all the places of interest. Hans joined in on occasions but as a keen photographer he was busy taking photographs of the various activities and places of interest, which he later placed on a CD and sent me as a permanent reminder of our time together.

On completion of the river tour we took the train/underground to the city centre and once again my personal guide, Maren, pointed out all the places of interest with Hans trailing astern with camera at the ready.

As always when you are really enjoying yourself it comes to an end all too quickly. On meeting Hans in the morning I had informed him that I would have to return onboard at 17:00. Being New Years Day there was a formal evening arranged and amongst other things the Haggis was being piped aboard at dinner commencing at 18:15.

On our return home I was asked by several “old salts” if I had visited the Reeperbahn; strange that, as at one point during our river tour Hans asked me if I knew that street. Me; an inocent abroad, I wondered why he should ask such a question. If you believe that you will believe anything. Not to worry lads, I can assure you the pleasures are still available but the famous area is much improved due to the introduction of many cabarets and Broadway shows such as Mamma Mia and Lion King, they were on during my time there and good quality restaurants.

Hans and Maren, did me proud, thank you both, and I am looking forward to returning there, possibly next year, God willing.

Doug G4BEQ

CSD on tour

Responsible: Hans-Jürgen DK9OS, MF787 RN4636 LG609