Minesweeper Inshore Merksem
The Vessel
Merksem is an ex-106' minesweeper of the
Belgian navy designed to clear World War II mines from the
River Scheldt. She was launched in 1958 and commissioned the
following year, the beginning of a long career that lasted
into the late nineties. Merksem was the last of her class to
be retired from service. The latter part of her career she
served as a patrol boat with the magnetic and acoustic sweep
gear and the distinctive cable reel removed from the upper
deck. She did however retain the winch and davits for the
mechanical sweep.The ship was bought in 2001 by Stefan Botte
and Dave Wood as a speculative venture with a view to
refurbishment to a better than new condition and eventual
sale. The ship is of an incredibly strong wooden
construction having been designed to withstand mines
exploding in close proximity, the frames are oak with
douglas fir stringers, the shell consists of about 1.5'' of
mahogany with an additional layer of oak below the waterline
and the deck is 2.5'' of teak. All metal fittings are
silicon bronze, copper or aluminium to reduce the magnetic
signature so she should polish up nicely!
Specification (as built)
|
|
| Length between perpendiculars |
106' |
| Displacement |
120t |
| Speed |
15kts |
| Armament |
2 x 20mm Oerlikon
|
Machinery
Propulsion
Minesweeping generator
Ships generators
Winch
Davits |
2 x 700 kW Mercedes Benz V12 diesels
700 kW Mercedes Benz V12 diesel
2 x 60kW 120V D.C.Gardiner
18hp
2 x 1000kg, 2 x 500kg |
The Plan
I got involved with the project two years
ago overseeing most of the work on the ship and developing a
plan for conversion to a live aboard dive ship or luxury
charter yacht. As a dive ship the winch and davits at the
stern would be retained giving the ability to deploy
any equipment needed over the stern. The forward engine room
will be stripped out and a new section of superstructure
built. The internal arrangements will be revised to provide
on the lower deck four double cabins, galley and saloon and
on the main deck three double cabins. The aft accommodation
will be retained for the crew. Showers, additional heads and
a revised heating system will also be fitted. A dive
compressor and stowage for diving equipment will be in a
semi enclosed space over the engine room. Considerable
progress has been made on the vessel to date with the
starboard generator restored to working condition and most
of the ships electrics operable. For any enquiries about the
vessel please contact
David Wood.
Merksem en route to her current berth in Antwerp
Merksem alongside in Antwerp
18hp winch and davits
