MEDIA RELEASE: S101- AN AWESOME MACHINE

Embargo: None
Date of release: 24 October 2005

It is all systems go for the commissioning of the South African Navy’s new Class 209 Type 1400 (Mod SA) on 03 November 2005.

The submarine will be handed over to the Navy at a ceremony at the HDW shipbuilder’s yard in Kiel, Germany.

Said her officer commanding Commander Gary Kretschmer: “My first impression of the submarine is that it is an awesome machine. The boat has surpassed all my expectations; she is stable, quiet and responds efficiently to the fully automated systems. The working areas such as the Combat Information Centre (CIC) and Technical Control Centre (TCC) offer a spacious and comfortable working environment. The living areas are slightly tight but are well equipped with good finishes and offer a greater degree of personal space than in the old Daphne class boats.”

With all acceptance trials successfully completed, the boat is being made ready for the long trip home under escort early next year.

According to Cdr Kretschmer, the training of the crew has also gone well. His crew are now trained and competent with a further 20 submariners under training in Erkenförde near Kiel and a further group, also of 20, under training in India.

In terms of competencies for example, the officers commanding of the three new submarines have all completed their qualification training in Germany. Despite the course being conducted in German, all candidates successfully completed their training, two of whom achieved first place on course. There is no more demanding course internationally than the submarine officer commanding qualifying course (SMOC). And there is therefore no higher accolade than that paid by the Commander of the Federal German Navy Submarine Flotilla when, in one case, he stated in a

report that he “….would be honoured for FGN submariners to serve under this officer….”

Caption: Commander Gary Kretschmer (right foreground), Officer Commanding S101 discusses a technical matter with representatives from the shipbuilders, HDW, while the submarine is busy with trials in the Baltic.

Caption: S101 on trials in the Baltic.
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ISSUED BY: The Department of Public Relations: SA Navy
ENQUIRIES: Commander Brian Stockton
Telephone (012) 339 4347