WesterShip News - Hans Peterson & Söhne - Reederei · Rendsburg

WesterShip News 

No. 3, July 2002 

MV „Westerems“ - Picture taken during rescue boat manouvre 

Reederei Hans Peterson & Söhne

No. 3, July 2002 

Introduction 

Dear reader, 

The 3 rd issue of WesterShip News 

has changed its layout to a more 

colorful style now. 

After positive feedback from our 

vessels, we have been able to 

implement some articles from life 

onboard now. Thanks for sending us 

pictures and stories. Your continuation 

is highly appreciated. 

Besides 

this, we would like to use the 

opportunity to introduce this issue with 

a short overlook about the situation of 

the chartermarket overall. 

After the very difficult situation with a 

high number of newbuildings entering 

the market and the even psychological 

effect of September, 11 th as well as the 

downtrend of the US economy, 

presently it looks like the chartermarket 

becomes a little better. 

This is of course partly influenced 

by a number of newbuildings being 

cancelled and no new orders being 

placed. 

In addition to that, the shipyards in 

Poland are facing a difficult situation. 

Stocznia Stettin went under bankrupcy 

and Stocznia Gdynia faces several 

financial problems as well. 

As of today, the market segment for 

vessels between 1000 – 2000 TEU 

seems to be fairly balanced. According 

to our information, there are presently 

no vessels in this segment layed up. 


2 

Anyhow, the charter rates are still 

down on a very low level, but the 

continuation of the downtrend has 

been stopped and furthermore we see 

an slight uptrend within the last few 

weeks. 

Nevertheless, it will be a very difficult 

year 2002 and we do not expect the 

first quarter of 2003 to be very much 

better, but being optimistic, 

the tremendeous rate decrease seems 

to be stopped presently. 

Best regards, 

Stefan Rother

No. 3, July 2002 

New master onboard of 

MV „Westerhamm“ 

Since the 26 th of April 2002, 

Mr. Stefan Hoppe has taken over the 

command as master on board of 

MV „Westerhamm“. 

Mr. Stefan Hoppe joined the company 

early 1998 as 2 nd Mate onboard of 

MV „Westerems“. He has been 

promoted in 1999 as Chief Officer 

onboard of MV „Westerburg“. 

After continuous improvement of skills, 

the promotion to sail as a master in 

future has been offered to Stefan 

Hoppe in late 2001. 

Besides his high profession and 

background, Mr. Hoppe is known as a 

very honourable and reliable person 

with always a positive personality and 

a typical „Berliner“ sense of humor. 

We are wishing Mr. Hoppe always safe 

journeys and we are looking forward to 

continuing our close relationship 

in future. 

MV „Westerhamm“ berthing at Bristol 


3 

Cadets from Lithuania 

In our last issue, we informed about 

our activities with the crewing agency 

Greytimbe out of Lithuania and a visit 

to the Lithuanian Maritime University. 

Meanwhile, we developed the cooperation 

with the University to get 

junior officers onboard of our vessels. 

We started with three cadets, which 

boarded the vessels Westermühlen 

(Cala Pinar del Rio) and Westerland. 

The cadets are of different professions; 

one will be an electronic engineer, 

one a mechanical engineer, as well as 

one will be a nautical officer. 

Remaining onboard for three to four 

months until school will be open 

again,, they will gain first seagoing 

practice. 

We will report in our next issue.

No. 3, July 2002 

Bedplate Damages – 

What about the classification 

societies ?? 

During the year 2000, our company has been 

effected by bedplate damages of newly 

delivered Sulzer engines on three vessels. 

During routine measurement of crankweb 

deflection at the Port of Kingston by a very 

considerable engineer a crack of one bearing 

stool has been found – this was the beginning 

of the very unpleasant story, effecting the 

vessels „Westerems“, „Westerburg“ and 

„Westerhamm“. 

After survey of specialists from the insurance 

companies, engine manufacturers as well as 

the Classification Society it came out, that the 

three bedplates were cracked several times 

and obviously had to be removed and to be 

changed for new ones completely. 

This brief outline of the story does of course 

not show the tremendeous efforts taken by 

crew, technical inspection as well as shipyard 

workers and plenty of other persons involved. 

Finally the ships went back to service latest in 

February 2001. 

The really root cause of the problem has been 

detec 

by Barbara Peterson at Kiel, the ship ted – 

wrong placed and designed core supports 

during the casting process of the bearing 

girders. 

Core supports normally keep the sand core in 

place during the casting and melt completely 

away during the casting process. Due to wrong 

design with additional „black iron pipe“ (see 

picture) the core supports did not melt 

completely and there the cracks started. 

Simple thing, which caused tremendeous 

trouble afterwards. 

Core support in main engine girder 


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But lets see the failures from a different 

standpoint – what about the quality control and 

furthermore what about the control by the 

classification surveyors? 

Important parts like bedplates and 

corresponding materials have to be checked 

and approved several times by the 

classification society before its delivery. 

Even though here – the casting material has 

been proofed and certified. The individual 

girder/ or bearing stool has its own certificate 

and correlating stamp of the Classification 

Society. 

Every single document shows that no 

objections have been found. 

But how then these misfortune could ever 

happen?? 

Meanwhile we raised this question to the 

Classification Society and we ordered the 

complete documentation for all three engines 

including all certificates issued by the foundry 

at that time from the engine manufacturer. 

The verification of the documents did show 

significant differences, which have been not 

explainable by the Society, so far. 

This made us believe that some further 

„Sherlock Holmes“ work could lead us to a 

more favourable position after all meetings 

held with the Society in Hamburg were not 

fruitfull. 

Investigations about the names of surveyors in 

Poland were carried out and a visit of an 

already retired surveyor in Poland took place. 

Like a puzzle the complete picture of poor or 

non quality control came out. After 

confrontation of the Classification with the 

results of our investigations and the request to 

inspect the inhouse files by our lawyers, we 

got the answer, that unfortunately they cannot 

allow us to inspect the documents due to the 

fact that the engine manufacturer respectively 

the shipyard at that time has been the 

customer – but not the shipowner. 

Something to hide ?? 

After approval by the engine manufacturer we 

have been allowed to inspect the files in 

Hamburg in May this year. An what shall we 

tell you – additional certificates for two engines 

issued in April 2002 have been presented. This 

has been done in order to highlight the 

correctness of documents and to show the 

owner that there is everything correct, was the 

statement.

No. 3, July 2002 

Additionally, we asked an well known engine 

specialist and former technical manager of the 

diesel engine factory Rostock, wether there 

have been deliveries of girders from Poland to 

Rostock at that time and wether there has 

been lack of quality also. 

After verification of the old files, the reports 

showed, that 80% of girders delivered from the 

same foundry Poland were of poor quality or 

sorted out. 

Sofar the actual status of investigations. 

Bearing in mind that the guarantee for the 

supervision of the classificion society is only 6 

months and relevant claims are statute- barred 

– the only way of winning a cort claim is to 

present that the surveyors made a socalled 

„blind certification“ and fulfill the status of 

malicious intent. 

But anyhow our lawyers will present the results 

to the Classification Society and are prepared 

for a court claim. 

Keep you informed. 


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No. 3, July 2002 

Crossing-the-line-ceremony on 

board of MV „Westerburg“ 

Taking care of old traditions is still modern – 

so happened onboard of MV „Westerburg“ 

whilst crossing the Äquator recently. 

Neptune and his helping hands gave an 

enthusiastic reception for seamen which have 

not crossed the line previously and baptized 

them. 

Neptune and the priest were awaiting the 

seafarers in order to sacrifize them. 

But before several mithological procedures 

were necessary. 

First of all the person to be baptized has to 

show his utmost respect to Neptune and the 

Priest, before the procedure starts. 

Here we can see Mr. Pietsch sitting on his 

knees showing his respect to the authorities. 

But anyhow, before getting the baptismal 

certificate the unusual procedure went on and 

the aspirants went under a special haircut and 

got some healthy food to clean themselves. 


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Special „medical treatment“ for Mr. Ylaya 

New haircut for Mr. Petzold 

After suffering quite a while the whole group 

was baptized and got their „Crossing-the-line- 

Certificate“ 

Hope you enjoyed the show !!

No. 3, July 2002 

Drydocking of MV „Westerhever“ 

MV „Westerhever“ has drydocked for class 

renewal in June 2002 in Guanzhou, China at 

Wenchong Shipyard. Mainly overhauls on 

Hatch covers, and cellguides have been 

carried out as well as underwater hull painting 

and hatch coaming modifications. 

Therefore our Mr. Weigl travelled to China in 

order to survey and to coordinate works. 

During their trip to Manila, Mr. Peterson and 

Mr. Rother managed a stopover in Guanzhou 

to visit the vessel. 

Westerhever entering the drydock at Wenchong 

Shipyard 

After some difficulties with the start up of 

works, respectively to manage the chinese 

mentality of slow steaming, Mr. Weigl 

managed a way to speed up works. 

After the drydock has been emptied, Mr. 

Peterson and Mr. Rother together with Capt. 

Bültemann and Mr. Weigl went in the dock for 

an outside inspection. Due to the fact, that no 

rubber boots of european adult size were 

available, they cared for some unintentional 

humor of the chinese workers. Equipped with 

plastic bags around the shoes as water and 

mud protection, they entered the drydock. 

Improvisation means everything, before getting 

wet feet. 


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Mr. Rother, Mr. Peterson and Capt. Bültemann entering 

the drydock. 

The hull and propeller have been inspected by 

the representatives of the German Lloyd and 

class has been confirmed. MV „Westerhever“ 

was supposed to leave the drydock on the 5 th 

of July 2002 in order to sail to Hong Kong to 

start a new charter party for CMA/ CGM. 

Capt. Bültemann after Propeller Inspection

No. 3, July 2002 

Visit of Crewing Agency Hanseatic 

in Manila 

After visiting „Westerhever“ in China, Mr. 

Bernd Peterson, Mr. Manthe and Mr. Rother 

went for a visit of Hansatic to Manila. 

A very warm welcome has been made by Mrs. 

Rosalinda Baumann, the director of Hanseatic 

Manila. 

After visting the impressive and well organized 

office facilities of Hanseatic, we got some 

hours to discuss about crewing matters and 

processes or regulations, which could effect 

crewing more in future like visa structure and 

STCW regulations. 

Whilst meeting with Mrs. Rosalinda Baumann, 

her daughters and her son in law, we took the 

opportunity to meet as well some joining crew 

members. 

Some minutes later another, well known 

gentleman showed up – Chief Cook Mr. 

William Llorka, ready for joining the MV 

„Westerburg“ in Peru totally recovered after his 

disease, which had causes seven weeks in 

Hospital in Germany. It was really a good thing 

to see him recovered and fit for employment. 

Mrs. Erika Baumann of Hansatic Manila 

Mr. Tan of Hansatic Manila 


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Having sofar not been personally known by 

Mrs. Baumann, it has been a good opportunity 

to visit Hanseatic for Mr. Manthe and Mr. 

Rother. 

Personal relations will help to continue the 

close cooperation between the companies. 

After the meeting Mr. Peterson and Mr. Rother 

departed back to Germany, whilst Mr. Manthe 

travelled to Indonesia to visit the „Westermoor“ 

in Tanjung Pelepas. 

Post Secrets 

Human beings sometimes develop some 

strange attitudes. 

Neighbours and former best friends suddently 

start fighting each other caused by minor 

things and adults went back to behave like 

childs. 

Therefore it is obviously, that in a close 

community like onboard a ship even 

sometimes strange things happen. 

So one of our vessels reported that the private 

area of some crewmembers were not 

respected by others by means of reading 

private telefaxes or e-mails. 

Not enough to read them, furthermore the 

adressee of the message has been asked to 

explain the contend of the message. 

To be a real noisy- parker is one thing, but to 

effect the private atmosphere is really not 

acceptable. Noisy-parkers should consider to 

be treated the same way – we would wonder 

whether this would be accepted by them. 

Private e-mail, telefaxes, letters or whatever 

are only for the personaly adressee – which 

should be quite clear for everybody. 

This is not only company policy, but also 

normal behaviour between collegues.

No. 3, July 2002 

A lazy guide at Cape Town 

Picture taken during berthing of „Westerhamm“ in 

Cape Town 


9 

Funny Tale 

A slightly more than middle-aged couple were 

out for a drive through the countryside. They 

reached a familiar spot in the road, and the 

wife says, "Sweetheart, let's do the same thing 

we did here forty years ago!" 

The husband stops the car. His wife backs 

against the fence, and he immediately jumps 

her like a bass on a june bug. They make love 

like never before. She was SCREAMING, and 

GYRATING, and SHAKING uncontrollably. 

When it was all over, much to her husband's 

surprise, she passed out cold. 

After he had revived her, and got her back into 

the car, the husband, quite astounded, says, 

"Darlin', you sure never moved like that forty 

years ago... or any time since that I can 

remember." The woman, gasping for breath, 

finally able to speak, says: "Honey, forty years 

ago that @#!!*& fence wasn't ELECTRIFIED!"

No. 3, July 2002 

Historical fleet 


M.V. "Adele" 

1906 - 14.9.1950 

Cargo Logger - 110 GRT / 150 tdw, 

1906 C. Lühring, Hammelwarden, 

ex Fish Logger - "NANNY". 

1950 bought by Captain Hans Peterson. 

M.V. "MAGDALENE" (1) 

14.9.1950 - 10.1954 

Cargo Logger - 110 GRT / 150 tdw, 

1906 C. Lühring, Hammelwarden, 

1951 lengthened, now 154 GRT / 230 tdw, 

ex - ADELE, ex - NANNY. 

1954 sold to Swedish buyers. 


13.12.1954 - 10.1961 

Singledecker - 283 GRT / 410 tdw, 

1954 Werft Nobiskrug, Rendsburg, 

1956 lengthened and deck raised, now 368 GRT / 650 tdw, 

1961 sold to German buyers. 


23.3.1962 - 1971 

Quarterdecker - 499 GRT / 826 tdw, 

1962 Büsumer Schiffswerft, 

1971 sold to German buyers. 

M.V. "WESTERMOOR" (1) 

29.4.1965 - 18.2.1975 

Quarterdecker - 499 GRT / 1,068 tdw, 

1965 Schiffswerft Hugo Peters, Wevelsfleth, 

1975 sold. 

To be continued....... 

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WesterShip News - Hans Peterson & Söhne - Reederei · Rendsburg

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