Croatian Army Rescues 18-Metre Ancient Roman Ship Replica Stranded by Low Water

The Croatian Army is helping recover an 18-metre replica of an ancient Roman ship that became stranded on the banks of the Drava River near Osijek after water levels fell sharply.

The five-tonne wooden vessel, Danuvina Alacris, is a replica of a Roman galley built as part of a project involving Germany’s University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. It was left at risk of serious damage after the low water level prevented it from continuing its journey.

The Croatian Army is now working to move the ship back into the river. The operation is currently planned for Wednesday, Aug. 26, depending on the arrival of special loading beams and towing equipment organised by the German university.

Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anušić visited the soldiers working on the recovery. He had earlier approved assistance to the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg after the Croatian Army was asked to help because of concerns that the ship could collapse.

He said the operation would help return the vessel to Germany and described it as another example of cooperation between Croatia and Germany.

18 Croatian Army personnel involved

A total of 18 Croatian Army personnel are taking part in the operation.

Twelve are from the Engineering Battalion of the Guards Armoured-Mechanised Brigade, while six are from the Engineering Regiment.

The engineers have prepared an access road to the ship and built sliding “skis” to help move it towards the water. Wooden beams have also been placed around the vessel to provide additional support because of concerns about the stability of its structure.

Brigadier General Valentin Skroza, deputy commander of the Croatian Land Forces, said the wooden vessel needed to be recovered quickly.

He said that if the operation had been delayed by another five days, the ship could have fallen apart. As the wood dries, cracks can form, which could make the vessel no longer seaworthy.

The ship is therefore being continuously watered to keep the wooden structure from drying out and to help prepare it for a return to the water.

Military equipment used in the operation

The Croatian Army is using an excavator, dozer, backhoe loader, cargo vehicle, technical workshop, tugboat and two boats during the recovery.

The Engineering Regiment has also delivered a tugboat to the River Boat Company in Osijek. It will help tow the vessel after it is relaunched.

Skroza said Croatian Army engineers had the training and equipment needed for the operation. He also noted that helping civilian institutions is one of the roles of the Croatian Army.

German Military Envoy to Croatia Colonel Burkhard Weber said the Croatian Army was the only force capable of carrying out such a demanding task after Germany requested assistance.

He said Croatian Army personnel prepared the access road quickly and used wooden beams to secure the vessel because of concerns about its structure.

Weber thanked Anušić and Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid for their quick response and for approving the necessary measures to begin the operation.

Ship will be transported to Germany

The recovery has been delayed because of the complexity of the operation. Under the current plan, the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg will arrange special loading beams and a tow train before the planned Aug. 26 relaunch.

After the ship is returned to the water, it will be towed to the transit port of Osijek.

The Osijek Port Authority is expected to use a special loading crane to lift the vessel from the water and place it on a transport vehicle known as the “swan” tow train.

The vessel will then be transported back to Germany.

The operation is also receiving support from Luka Tranzit Osijek and the Osijek Port Authority. Anušić and Skroza thanked Luka Tranzit Osijek director Igor Bartolović and Osijek Port Authority director Dr Iva Horvat for their assistance.

References: firstbalkanmedia, CroatiaWeek