Centennial Journey of "Countess Emma": her exploration to Bremen
The Countess Emma, a beloved charter and scheduled services ship, has been a fixture on the Weser for almost 15 years. But her journey began much earlier, near Basel in April 1925, where she was launched under the name Rheinfelden.
Dieter Stratmann, the CEO of the Hal ôver shipping company, facilitated the purchase of the Rheinfelden in 2010. The ship was later renamed Countess Emma due to the company's preference for a name with a connection to the city of Bremen. The new name was chosen, according to Nicole Mohr, Hal ôver's deputy manager, because the previous name, Schloss Munzingen, was also a beautiful name.
The transfer of the Countess Emma to Bremen was not without its challenges. A disaster involving the acid tanker Waldhof on the Rhine delayed the move. After four weeks, the Countess Emma finally set sail, passing the accident site on the Rhine as the fifth ship after the route was reopened.
Navigating a ship from Basel (an inland city on the Rhine River) to Bremen (a major North Sea port city in Germany) is no small feat. It involves traversing the Rhine River downstream through multiple countries and waterways until reaching the North Sea, then traveling to Bremen via the Weser River or along the coast. Challenges in such a transition typically include negotiating river conditions, locks, variable water levels, legal and customs regulations across regions, and possible ship modifications needed for different waterway conditions.
The Countess Emma underwent rebuilding in 1993 and was shortened by nearly 10 meters due to post-World War II conversions. Today, she can accommodate 250 passengers, a significant increase from the 200 people he could originally host at the time of his launch.
The Countess Emma began her service in passenger and excursion shipping on March 26, 2011. She is mainly used for charter trips, such as for weddings, and harbor tours. According to Mohr, the Countess Emma can continue to sail until 2045, provided the laws do not change significantly.
The Countess Emma's journey from Basel to Bremen is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of ships and the companies that operate them. Her story serves as a reminder of the rich history and challenges faced in maritime transportation.
Radio Bremen might feature a documentary about the Countess Emma's journey, showcasing her transformation from a ship launched as Rheinfelden near Basel to her current role as a popular charter and scheduled services ship in Bremen, discussing the challenges she faced during her transition and the resilience she exhibited throughout her voyage.
In addition to covering the Countess Emma's maritime history, Radio Bremen could also delve into the lifestyle, home-and-garden, and travel opportunities that the ship offers to its passengers, highlighting the unique experiences that the Countess Emma provides for weddings, harbor tours, and other charter trips.
