PLANCIUS polar expedition ship

[aukepalmhof]

Built as an oceanographic research vessel under yard No 612 by N.V. Scheepswerf & Machinefabriek “De Merwede”, Hardinxveld, Netherlands for the Dutch Royal Navy.
29 April 1975 keel laid down.
18 December 1975 launched as the Hr Ms TYDEMAN (A 906), named after Lieutenant Gustaaf Frederick Tydeman (1858-1939), who participated in the Siboga expedition as commander of the gunboat HMS SIBOGA.
Displacement 2,900 tons. Dim. 90.2 x 14.4 x 4.7m. (draught)
Powered: Diesel electric by three Stork diesel engine, 3,690hp, one shaft speed 15 knots.
Crew 15.
10 November 1976 commissioned.

She was suitable for both military and for scientific purposes, mostly every year she was for 30% used for civilian science work.
Due to the fact that the HR MS TYDEMAN carried hydrographical work out in busy shipping lanes in the North Sea was she designed as a two-compartment vessel. She was fitted out with diverse hoists and the scientist had access to various laboratories and working decks. There was also a “wet hall” were samples could be processed.
She carried two Spurt 33 polyester boats; the port boat was equipped as a hydrographic registration boat and the starboard boat as an oceanographic longboat. The oceanographic longboat in addition to dredging as the oceanographic research boat in shallow waters was also used to ferry crew and other personnel to shore or back on board. The TYDEMAN carried also rubber boats used for rescue operations.
Fitted out with a helideck which made it possible that a Westland Lynx helicopter can be used, only by daylight and good weather conditions.

03 June 2004 she was taken out of service, she was replaced by a newer vessel of the Snell class. She was berthed in Den Helder, the Dutch Navy basis in north Netherland.
First she was sold to the Nigerian Navy, but when payments were not made a new buyer was sought.
2007 Sold to Oceanwide Expeditions B.V. in Vlissingen (Flushing), Netherlands.
Rebuilt at Scheepswerf Riemerswaal at Hansweert as an ice strengthened polar cruise- expedition ship.
Her bridge was almost 15 metres placed forwards.
Accommodation for 112 passengers in 54 cabins, crew 30.
Tonnage 3,434 grt, 700 dwt. Dim. 89.00 x 14.50 x 4.80m. (draught)
13 November 2009 left from Hansweert for Vlissingen were she was rechristened on 14 November as PLANCIUS by Mrs Drs. Karla M.H. Peijs, Governor of the Province of Zeeland. The PLANCIUS was named after Petrus Plancius (1552-1622) the Dutch Astronomer, Cartographer and Clergyman.
07 December 2009 she left for her maiden voyage to Argentine to make from there Antarctic cruise voyages. During the Northern summer she makes voyages to the Arctic waters.

2011 In service, according http://www.equasis.org is she owned by Plancius Scheepsreizen BV, Vlisingen, managed by Oceanwide Marine Services BV, Vlissingen. IMO No 7432044.


Portsmouth, UK, Apr 12, 2012

Passenger (cruise) Plancius (3434 gt, built 1976)was reportedly stranded in a Bay off South Georgia in the South Atlantic with engine problems, yesterday. There are about 20 Dutch tourists on board who are on a tourist expedition for birdwatchers. There is heating available and enough food on board. -- Correspondent. (Note -- Plancius, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence AIS, is reported stationary in lat 54 16 59.1S, long 36 29 47.75W at 1209, today.)



London, Apr 12, 2012

A press report, dated today, states: Some 70 tourists are stranded on board passenger (cruise) Plancius at South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic after the ship experienced a partial engine failure, its owner said yesterday. The Plancius was lying at anchor off a pier in a bay outside South Georgias small port of Grytviken - a former whaling station and now a popular stop-off spot for cruise ships visiting Antarctica, Mark van der Hulst said. "The ship is anchored off a pier in South Georgia after suffering partial loss of her engine. She is safe and sound and there is no danger for passengers," Van der Hulst of Oceanwide Marine Services said. "She is waiting for another passenger ship to pick them up and bring them to Montevideo, from where they will be flown home," he added. The 89-metre long Plancius was then expected to make her way under own steam to Montevideo for an inspection, said Van der Hulst. Dutch tour operator Inezia, who organises the Atlantic Odyssey tours mainly as a birdwatching expedition, said the ship experienced engine trouble on Tuesday (Apr 10) afternoon after first leaving the Argentinian port of Ushuaia on Mar 29. "It had visited Antarctica and was on its way through the Atlantic to the Cape Verdean islands," Inezias owner Pieter van der Luit said. He said the tourists on board were mainly Dutch and from the United States, had plenty of provisions and were in no danger. Both Van der Hulst and Van der Luit confirmed a second ship had been arranged to fetch the stranded tourists but could not say when it would arrive in the British Overseas Territory, some 2,150 kilometres east of Tierra del Fuego on the southern tip of South America.


Tristan da Cunha 2011 $1.10 sg?, scott?

Source: http://www.navyinside.nl/nederland/oceanograaf.html and various other web-sites.

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

mv "PLANCIUS"