A multimodal 'door-to-door' delivery from Northern Germany to Sardinia
In a once-in-a-blue-moon “door-to-door delivery”, Redwise was requested to mobilise the shallow-draft survey launch POLARIS II from Northern Germany to Sardinia. Due to her dimensions, a special transport was arranged by Redwise with Messrs. Van der Wees to truck the vessel on a deep loader to Mandelieu in the south of France, from where she was delivered on her own keel to northern Sardinia; limitations on loading quays and ferries prohibited trucking all the way to Porto Cervo.
Redwise has been contracted for the technical and crew management of the POLARIS II, conducting near-shore survey work along the Italian coast together with the Redwise-owned and operated survey launch Baltic. Superintendent Ake van der Vinne played an active role throughout the entire project: from classification and registration under the Dutch flag to supervising loading and discharging and even serving as crew member during the final leg of the voyage.
The coastal voyage, almost resembling a holiday experience along the French and Italian Riviera, was carried out by a team of four, including a crew member from the Owners who had worked closely with Redwise during the entire preparation of the vessel.
Following her launch in Mandelieu, the first days of the project focused on preparing the vessel for the passage to Sardinia. With the vessel’s limited fuel capacity, lack of on-board accommodation and restrictions on her certification, the voyage was sailed from marina to marina, overnighting in the ports of call.
As the voyage progressed along the Italian coastline, POLARIS II progressively settled into an operational rhythm. During the stop in Loano the crew corrected the usual teething problems to ensure the vessel was fully ready to commence her survey duties on arrival. At the same time, engine performance and fuel consumption were continuously monitored and fine-tuned following recent overhaul works, providing valuable operational insights and data throughout the mobilisation.
Between port calls and daily operational routines there were also quieter moments under calm Mediterranean conditions, with occasional sightings of dolphins. From La Spezia the route took POLARIS II further south along the Italian coastline and across toward Corsica, with operational stops in Rosignano Marittimo, Port de Toga and Porto-Vecchio before arrival in northern Sardinia.
Conditions varied significantly between each leg. Some days brought calm Mediterranean seas and long coastal legs under clear skies, while others introduced rolling swell, reduced visibility and stronger winds near the Strait of Bonifacio.
Following successful delivery, POLARIS II commenced survey activities in the waters surrounding northern Sardinia, with two Redwise Masters and two ABs employed on a four weeks on / four weeks off rotation, accommodated ashore together with the client’s Surveyor.
Is there a better way to “spend” the summer?
