| Dolfijn (4), but the
ministry of defence probably favours the Navy Yard in Den Helder.
14 Nov 1999: The Land Rover Club Holland visits the Dolfijn (4) in
Den Helder.
| The Land Rover Club Holland visits the
Dolfijn (4) in Den Helder, 14 Nov 1999. . |
 |
2 Sep 1999 - 31 Aug 2001 : The Dolfijn (4) is under the command of
Ltz. I .
2000
11 Feb 2000: Dolfijn (4) is at Den Helder.
20 Feb 2000: Dolfijn (4) departs from Den Helder.
During this voyage there is a so called 'commanders training/exam' (with
foreign attendants as well) on board Dolfijn (4), the exam will
probably be held during Dolfijn (4)'s next trip. One of the guys that
passes this training/exam will be the future commander of
Bruinvis, which is currently being
overhauled and has no commander. During this period there are also 4
Australians and one Israeli on board. Their Dutch Submarine Commander's
training will start in April and during this trip they are 'just' there to
'meet the crew'.
23 Feb 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Kristiansand (Norway).
27 Feb 2000: Dolfijn (4) departs from Kristiansand (Norway).
Period unknown: Dolfijn (4),
Mercuur (4) and Willem van der Zaan, and FGS Brandenburg
exercise off Kristiansand (Norway). The submarine mainly conduct 'attacks'
on the frigates. Dolfijn (4) also launches several exercise
torpedoes.
Period unknown: Dolfijn (4) joins the JMC (Joint Maritime Course).
Dolfijn (4) plays an sub-sub scenario together with HMS Splendid.
In The Minches (inshore waters) the Dolfijn (4) performs a mine
laying exercise at the entrance of a Scottish Harbour and a photo recon of a
lighthouse.
10 Mar 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Leith (U.K.).
11 Mar 1999: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Edinburgh (Scotland).
16 Mar 2000 at 11:00: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder.
16 Mar - ???: Dolfijn (4) is at Den Helder.
During the two weeks in Den Helder the Dolfijn (4) prepares for
the Submarine Commander's training which will start on April 1.
5 and 6 Apr 2000: In Bergen (Norway) Dolfijn (4) is visited by Dutch
ministers Frank de Grave (Ministry of Defence) and Netelenbos (Traffic and
Infrastructure).
7 Apr 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Bergen (Norway).
10 Apr 2000: Dolfijn (4) departs from Bergen (Norway).
26 May 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Devonport (U.K.).
29 May 2000: Dolfijn (4) departs from Devonport (U.K.).
5 June 2000 at 09:30 hrs: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Faslane (U.K.).
6 June 2000 at 10:30 hrs: Dolfijn (4) departs from Faslane (U.K.)
with towed array fitted.
19 June 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Loch Ewe (Scotland).
20 June 2000: Dolfijn (4) departs from Loch Ewe ( Scotland).
2? June 2000: The SMCC 2000 ends.
25 - 26 June: A spotter reported to have seen Dolfijn (4) on the
25th and 26th. She departed at approximately 15:00 hrs from Loch Fyne
(Scotland).
| Dolfijn (4) in Loch Fyne
(Scotland) looking north. +/-15:00 hrs 26 June (Photo: © P. Dow). Note:
The date printed on the photograph is incorrect. |
 |
26 June 2000: Dolfijn (4) anchors for the night off Inverary
(Scotland). In the morning the transit to Dublin (Ireland) is continued.
27 June 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Dublin (Ireland).
2 July 2000: Dolfijn (4) departs from Dublin ( Ireland).
5 July 2000: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder.
14 - 16 July 2000: During the 'Naval Days' at Den Helder Naval Base the
Dolfijn (4) is open for the public.
25 Aug 2000: on board the submarines Walrus (2)
and Zeeleeuw (2) a defect on the 'afsluitkleppen'
(closing valves) has been reported. The valves of the boats
Bruinvis and Dolfijn (4) are
currently being checked. These valves prevent seawater from entering the
exhaust system when a submarine submerges. The defect was discovered during
routine maintenance at the Dutch Navy Yard in Den Helder. Navy spokesman A.
Meeldijk stated " . . possibly the problem is corrosion or fractures .
.the safety of the crews has not been in danger at all since the valve system
is backed up by an other system. . "
Sep 2000: The valve problem (see Aug 25) is so serious that all four
Walrus (2) class boats have been withdrawn from active service. Inspection
showed 'micro fractures' en 'micro rust' (tension corrosion) on the inboard
closing valves of the diesel engine exhaust.
These closing valves prevent water from entering the exhaust when the sub is
submerged. This means that the valves are exposed to the full hydrostatic
pressure outside the sub. For safety there are two valves fitted, an inboard
and an outboard valve, which are both designed to withstand the full
hydrostatic pressure at maximum diving depth (over 300 M).
Two boats can be repaired temporarily (the valves can be repaired) within a
few months. The two other subs will be withdrawn from active duty for a much
longer period, about 8 to 12 months, because of the long delivery times
of the Italian valve manufacturer. The valves of these latter two subs are
damaged to such an extend that a 'quick' repair is impossible.
It is estimated that the first repaired valve can be fitted in the second half
of November 2000 and the second probably early December 2000. The cost per
submarine, for all four subs, will be about 700000 Dutch guilders (300000
Euro).
Sep 23 2000: It is planned to complete the 'exhaust valve' repairs of
Dolfijn (4) in December 2000. If the
repairs are going as planned the submarine will make a trip to the U.K. during
the last two weeks of this year.
23 Oct 2000: Today it is reported that to fix the Walrus (2)-class
exhaust valve problems Dolfijn (4) and
Bruinvis will be fitted with repaired valves,
Zeeleeuw (2) and
Walrus (2) will receive brand new valves.
At a later date the repaired valves of Dolfijn (4) and Bruinvis
will be replaced by new ones as well. When all goes as planned the Dolfijn
(4) will make her next voyage on Nov. 25 and Bruinvis on Dec. 7.
Both voyages without any diving depth restrictions.
24 Oct 2000: The 'emergency' repair on the snort-exhaust valves of
Dolfijn (4) and Bruinvis has gone much better/smoother then
expected. Therefore the submarine service will investigate whether a repair on
Zeeleeuw(2)'s valve is possible as well.
25 Nov 2000: It has taken a long time, but finally a Dutch sub is ready for
sea again. The Dolfijn(4) will depart from Den Helder at 10:00 hrs on
Nov 25. The necessary trials are already conducted in the harbour.
1 Dec - 4 Dec 2000: Dolfijn(4) visits Plymouth (England).
?3 Dec 2001: Dolfijn(4) arrives in Plymouth (England) to support
training.?
4 Dec 2000 at 11:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) sails from the Plymouth Base
(England).
16 Dec 2000: Dolfijn(4) is expected back in Den Helder.
Dec 2000: The "agendas" of Dolfijn (4)
and Bruinvis are both already
"booked" for a total of 8 months in 2001.
2001
Dec 2000: The "agendas" of Dolfijn (4) and
Bruinvis are both already "
booked" for a total of 8 months in 2001.
Week of 2o Feb: The Dolfijn (4) has been in the dry-dock for about a
week. Her hull is cleaned and painted (black).
27 Feb 2001 at 14:05 hrs: Dolfijn (4) departs from Den Helder for a
voyage to the Middle East? During this voyage she will also exercise with the
USN and the RN in the Indian Ocean.
Read the book
for more information on this 16 week voyage
1 Mar 2001 at 06:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) submerges (again). Besides
several drills the crew also performs a deep-dive.
2 Mar 2001 at 23:30 hrs: Dolfijn (4) surfaces to give one of the
crew members the opportunity to make an urgent phone call home. She
submerges again around midnight.
3 Mar 2001 at 15:30 hrs: The Dolfijn (4) surfaces. Due to the bad
weather there is no one on duty on the bridge, but only in the control room
(while sailing on the surface!). They observe the area via the periscope.
4 Mar 2001 in the morning: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Lisbon
(Portugal). The submarine sails up the river Tagus in order to allow the
pilot boat to pick-up a crew member (see 2 Mar 2001). After the delivery
(around noon) the submarine turns around and continues her voyage. At 15:30
hrs the sub submerges once again. In the evening the crew exercises in
controlling the boat under 'high angles", up to 25°.
6 Mar 2001: The Dolfijn (4) transits through the Gibraltar Strait
while being submerged. In the morning she surfaces in order to ventilate the
boat, but at 9:00 hrs she submerges again. During the day they exercise with
several French Navy ASW airplanes. Unfortunately the water-maker brakes
down, but they will be in Valencia soon. Around 22:00 the boat surfaces.
8 Mar 2001 at 12:16 hrs: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Valencia (Spain).
11 Mar 2001: Dolfijn (4) departs from Valencia (Spain). On board
is
CTF69 (Combined Task force 69, attack submarine force, of the USN sixth
fleet), USN Rear Admiral C. Munns, and his Adjutant.
12 Mar 2001: The Rear Admiral leaves the Dolfijn (4) off Palma
de Mallorca.
19 Mar 2001: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Alexandria
(Egypt).
19 Mar 2001: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Alexandria
(Egypt).
5 Apr 2001: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Muscat (Oman).
8 Apr 2001: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Muscat
(Oman).
Dolfijn (4) will stay submerged for the next four weeks !
10 May 2001: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Dubai.
15 May 2001 at 15:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) departs from Dubai. The
six sea-riders, 4 of the US Navy and 2 of the Dutch Navy will fly home.
Several other crew members have to fly home as well. So now only 52 men
are on board.
16 May 2001: Dolfijn (4) encounters an unidentified submarine.
23 May 2001: In order to make up for some lost time the Dolfijn (4)
continues her journey with decks awash while surfaced.
25 May 2001 at 10:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) is back on schedule and she
continues her transit on the surface.
26 May 2001 in the evening: Dolfijn (4) is moored off the entrance
of the Suez Canal.
Before transiting through the Suez Canal an other crew member has to fly
home.
27 May 2001 at 09:00 hrs: The Dolfijn (4) transits, in convoy,
through the Suez Canal. At 21:00 hrs the sub passes Port Side and enters the
Mediterranean Sea. To get the maximum speed the sub transits on the surfaced
with decks awash (23:00 hrs).
29 May 2001: The Dolfijn (4) 'surfaces'.
31 May 2001 around 15:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) arrives in La Valetta
(Malta).
One crew member (that previous flew home) is back on board and two
sea-riders have joined the crew.
3 June 2001: Dolfijn (4) departs from La Valetta (Malta). She
transits on the surface with decks awash.
4 June 2001: The port diesel engine is having problems and can not
be used anymore.
5 June 2001: Now the starboard diesel is having the same problems as the
port side diesel. So only one diesel can be used for propulsion. It is
decided that of the 2 broken diesels at least one will be fixed.
6 June 2001 in the evening: All three diesels are available, the broken
ones are both repaired.
7 June 2001: Dolfijn (4) passes Gibraltar.
8 June 2001 at 18:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Lisbon
(Portugal).
11 June 2001 at 08:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) departs from Lisbon
(Portugal). One of the sea-riders has left the sub.
To gain some speed the submarine transits surfaced with decks awash.
15 June 2001: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder (home port).
Read the book
for more information on this 16 week voyage
18 June 2001: Dolfijn (4) takes several VIPs on a cruise.
19 June 2001: VIP and Family-day on board Dolfijn (4).
20 -22 June 2001: Several VIPs visit the Dolfijn (4).
21 June 2001: The Commander of the Dutch Navy Admiral Duijvendijk visits
the Dolfijn (4).
13 - 15 July 2001: Dolfijn (4) and
Zeeleeuw (2) are open to the public at the Den Helder Navy Days
20 Aug 2001: End of the leave for the Dolfijn (4) crew.
31 Aug 2001 at 14:00 hrs: Dolfijn (4) is temporarily decommissioned
in order to get her TTO (TweedeTraps Onderhoud) or Second Stage Maintenance.
Most of the crew in transferred to the Walrus
(2) and Bruinvis. It is
expected she will not be commissioned until the August 2002.
7 Nov 2001: Maintenance on the Dolfijn (4) is started.
Nov 2001: In a speech Mr. Hamilton’s (US Navy) says the following on the
Dutch Submarines: ".....The Dutch have developed a system where submariners
pull up to a pier, hook the boat up to shore cables, and go home, leaving a
few sailors in a bunkhouse to watch fire, flooding and security alarms for
everyone who is in port. That means the sailors are on watch one in 30 days
while they are in port; until recently, many U.S. submarines operated on a one
in three watch cycle. The Dutch submarines have also automated the boats to
the point where a sailor preparing to “snorkel,” or come to the surface to
draw air and run the engines, just pushes a “prepare to snorkel” button and
the systems bring the boat into position, lines up all the valves and start
the engines, making that process much less labour intensive....."
Date unknown: Dolfijn (4) is put ashore (using the ships lift)
2002
28 Jan 2002: Dolfijn (4) is moved to the main repair hall at the
Rijkswerf (Navy yard).
23 Aug 2002: The Dutch Submarine Service (OZD) celebrates its 95th
anniversary in Amsterdam. Actually the 95th anniversary would have been on 21
Dec 2001 (since the first Dutch sub, the O 1,
was commissioned on 21 Dec 1906) but it is celebrated today because all 4
Dutch submarines are now in port and open to the public.
30 Aug 2002 - 8 July 2003: Dolfijn (4) is under the command of
.
The new crew of the Dolfijn (4) consists mainly of former
Zeeleeuw(2) submariners.
Minister of Defense mr. A.H. Korthals visits the Dolfijn (4).
For related photos visit the
Dolfijn (4) photos 2000 page.
29 Nov - 2 Dec 2002: Dolfijn (4) visits Bergen (Norway). For related
photos visit the Dolfijn
(4) photos 2000 page.
7 Dec 2002: Dolfijn (4) visits Kristiansand (Norway).
10 Dec 2002: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder (home port).
2003
Late February 2003, week 7 and 8: Two groups of the Dolfijn (4) crew
are training at the SETT (submarine escape training tower) in Neustadt
(Germany). They are trained in ‘free-escape’ as well as ’hooded-ascent’. For
related photos visit the
Submarine Escape
Training page.
19 Mar - 19 Apr 2003: Dolfijn (4) makes a trip to the Norwegian area
for a work-up.
They perform a BNO (Beproeving Na Onderhoud / Trial after maintenance) in
and off the Norwegian fjords and also a SASWU (Staff Assisted Safety Work
Up) to train the crew.
Check out the
Dolfijn (4) in the 2000's photo page for related images.
19 Mart 2003: Dolfijn (4) departs from Den Helder (home port)
21 - 23 Mar 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits Trondheim (Norway).
23 Mar 2003: Several vips have lunch on board the Dolfijn (4). The
vips are: Wollert Krohn-Hansen (harbour master), Knut Dahl (Police Chief
Super Intendent), Knut Selboe (marketing manager J.P. Strøm Shipping As,
Arvid Reppe (manager agency department J.P. Strøm Shipping As), Tor Berg
(manager North Sea Trade J.P. Strøm Shipping As and representative of the
Dutch Consulate).
29 Mar - 3 Apr: Dolfijn (4) has to make an unscheduled stop at the
Haaksonvern (Norway) Naval Base. The scheduled official visit to Bergen
(Norway) has to be cancelled.
4 Apr 2003: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Bergen (Norway).
5 Apr - 7 Apr: Dolfijn (4) and torpedo work ship
Mercuur (4) perform torpedo
exercises.
6 Apr - 7 Apr: The Dutch TV company IDTV makes recordings on board the
Dolfijn (4),
10 Apr - 12 Apr 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits Ulsnes
(Norway).
12 Apr - 15 Apr 2003: The readiness of the crew is tested in a so called
SASWU (Staff Assisted Safety Work Up) after passing this test, which is only
the first step in the complete work up, the boat and crew is officially "oefen
gereed" (exercise ready). The SASWU includes exercises like fire drills,
leakage drill, etcetera.
16 Apr - 17 Apr 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits Stavanger (Norway).
19 Apr 2003: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder.
19 May - 19 June 2002: Dolfijn (4) makes another trip for her work
up.
Goal for this trip is to pass the so called OPEX (Operational Exercise).
Exercises included are: Photo Recce, topedo firing at the
Mercuur (4), exercise with
the German submarine U-28, exercise patrol and a RV (Rendez Vous)
with the USS Augusta. Unfortunately the goal will not be met during
this trip.
Before OPEX there are 4 days of BOST (Basic
Operational Sea Training), which starts immediately after departing from Den
Helder. The first one and a half days the Dolfijn (4) is accompanied
by Bruinvis. This gives the
Dolfijn (4) a change to test and train with her sensors. During BOST the
submarine also used and tested several means of communication. Such as:
VHF, UHF, HF voice, RATT (telex) or Link11. With
Link11 the radar image, as seen by Dolfijn (4), is transmitted to an
other unit.
25 May 2003: Dolfijn (4) arrives at the Rothesay
buoy where the crew has a BBQ.
26 May - 30 May 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits
Faslane (Scotland).
After the Faslane visit there is another period of BOST
for the submarine and her crew. During this BOST five Royal Navy instructors
(Sea riders) support the crew in order to prepare them for OPEX. During this
BOST several fictive countries are in conflict and the task for the
Dolfijn (4) is to gather information. First there is a photo recon on a
light house, then a TFX (torpedo firing exercise) with the
Mercuur (4) as target for
two exercise torpedo's. The next two days the Dolfijn (4) exercises
with the USS Augusta
The final part of BOST takes place South of
England. First of all they meet the German U-28. Then they are
directed to Plymouth in order to observe the results of the conflict between
the fictive countries.
13 June - 15 June: A Dutch OPEX-team, consisting of 7 men, is on board the
Dolfijn (4) and tests the Operational Readiness of the submarine and
its crew. The OPEX-team simulates many fires/hydraulic leaks/air leaks/salt
water leaks, but this time the crew has to show they are able to continue
with their primary operational task while handling these problems.
14 July 2003: Dolfijn (4) damages her port side rudder while she
is submerged, at a depth of 30 meters, South-West of England, off the
Scilly islands. None of the crew is injured and the submarine ?heads for
Plymouth? for further inspection. Of course the OPEX is stopped, ?the
visit to Plymouth is cancelled? and the submarine returns to Den Helder
(home port)
15 June - 17 June 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits Plymouth (England).
?16 June 2003: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Cardiff
(U.K.).?
?22 June 2003: Dolfijn (4) departs from Cardiff
(U.K.).?
19 June 2003: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder
(home port).
8 July 2003 - today: Dolfijn (4) is under the command of
.
4 July - 6 July 2003: Dolfijn (4) is open to the public during the
Den Helder Naval Days.
4 Sep - ? 2003: Dolfijn (4) makes another trip in order to pass her
OPEX exam.
The crew uses the first week to prepare for OPEX. They are assisted by a
COI team (Commando Ondersteunende Index ). They simulate stuff like torpedo
firing, mine launching and photo recons. After this first week the OPEX
team, consisting of 6 men, comes on board and tests the boat and its crew once
again. Fortunately everything goes as planned and they pass the test. The
Dolfijn (4) is now officially "OI" (Operationeel Inzetbaar /
Operational Deployable).
12 Sep - 14 Sep 2003: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Faslane (Scotland), possibly she
just moored at the Rothesay buoy because Faslane harbour is full due to
visiting NATO ships participating in exercise Northern Light 2003 . But the do
go ashore to Rothesay.
Dolfijn (4) participates in exercise Northern Light 2003.
? Sep 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits Faslane (and stays only one night) in
order to prepare for an Exit en Re-entry (photos
of this exercise) with 25 Dutch Marines.
A RVU film crew is on board to get footage for the Dutch series
Werken aan Werk.
? 22 Sep2003: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Faslane
(Scotland).
26 Sep - 30 Sep 2003: Dolfijn (4) visits Cork (Ireland). She is
scheduled to leave around 08:20 hrs on the 30th.
10 Oct - 14 Oct 2003: Dolfijn (3) visits
Palma de Mallorca (Spain).
21 Oct - 27 Oct 2003: Dolfijn (3),
Bruinvis and
Mercuur (4) visit Barcelona
(Spain). Mercuur (4) departs on the 26th.
5 Nov 2003: Bruinvis, Dolfijn (4) and
Mercuur (4) are scheduled to arrive in Den Helder (home port).
2004
14 January Dolfijn (4) departs from Den Helder
(home port).
23 Jan 2004: The
Western Morning News reports the following: " .....Fishing leaders last
night called for a Dutch submarine to be ordered back into port to end
speculation over what rammed the French trawler Bugaled Breizh off the
Lizard a week ago. French investigators in Brittany revealed yesterday
that the submarine Dolfijn was "in close proximity" to the trawler
before she sank with the loss of five lives......An international
military exercise involving submarines and warships was taking place off
Cornish waters, when the Bugaled Breizh sank 14 miles off The Lizard.
This, together with the fact that the Dolfijn was quickly on scene to
help the search, has raised speculation...."
Read the complete article
here.
RN sources
report that the actual position of the Dolfijn (4)
was
49º32'33"N-5º16'16"W (surfaced) while she was
participating in this international exercise.
More information on this incident on the page
Dolfijn (4) and the
Bugaled Breizh.
28 Jan 2004: Dolfijn (4) departs from Cork
(Ireland).
(expected) 1 Feb 2004: Dolfijn (4) arrives in
Cork (Ireland).
13 Feb 2004: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Devonport
(England).
16 Feb 2004: Dolfijn (4) departs from
Devonport (England).
20 Feb 2004: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den
Helder (home port).
10 Apr 2004: Dolfijn (4) departs from Den Helder.
This trip will be dedicated to the first Sea phase of the
(Submarine Command Course).
Two Australians, an American, a Canadian and a Dutchman are taking the
course. Their teacher is also on board. Check the Dolfijn
(4) in the 2000s
pictures page for a related photo.
Some time during the SMCC (either Apr. ir June) she also exercises with RN submarine HMS Trenchant. The Dolfijn (4) 'sinks' the HMS Trenchant, which is equipped with the Astute-sonar-suite, several times. Unfortunately the vice-versa as well.
The first Sea phase of the SMCC is named COQCEX (Command
Qualification Exercise). Goal is to teach the students to operate safely
at periscope depth with multiple ships in the vicinity. During the first
two days the opponents are the Mercuur and the Tjerk Hiddes.
Later the Van Nes joins in as well.
At the end of the first week the Cdt. Onderzeedienst, a journalist
and a Navy press officer board the submarine as well.
16 Apr 2004: The COQCEX ends and all 'guests' embark. Read the page
for more info on this COQCEX.
The next task of the Dolfijn (4) will be to check
out her magnetic field. She sails to Trondheim where various sensors are
installed and connected to equipment inside the boat.
18 Apr 2004: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Trondheim
(Norway).
19 Apr 2004: Dolfijn (4) departs from
Trondheim (Norway).
20 April 2004: Dolfijn (4)
entangles her screw into some cables of a degaussing (demagnetise) station on the sea floor. The military facility in Hysnes
Fort (Norway, off the coast of Hasselvika) sustained a lot of damage and
will be out of operation for a long time. Sources are not clear about the
damage the submarine sustains. Some report some very light damage and others
report the screw, rudder(s) and hydraulic systems are damaged to such an extend that she might
have to be towed to Den Helder (home port).
Norwegian newspapers report (translated by Aaken and Jesper):
"...The first explanation from the military was
that the sub was in Norwegian waters for some tests when, around Tuesday
19:00 hours, it came too close to a buoy and had the buoy cable caught in the
propeller, that explanation turned out to be wrong ......... After the
Dutch sub had finished its tests it some how managed to manoeuvre itself
into the the cables of the degaussing station, says station commander Paal Svendsen ......... Press Officer Lt.Cdr Tore Idsoe of the Norwegian
sea operative commando says that the crew or the sub was never in
any danger .......... The degaussing station took a large amount of damage at the
incident, the military logistic organization (FLO) announced Thursday
(22 April) that the damages will keep the station out of operation for a
long time ...... it will take at least a month to locate the damages and
then we must analyse them, we don't know any facts until summer, says
FLO information director Birgitte Frisch ........So at this time they
don't know the price of the damages but the bill will most likely be
sent to the Dutch authorities ....... As long as the facility at Hysnes
Fort is out of operation the vessels that should have used it have to
use other degaussing
stations ...... These degaussing stations
consists of sensors on the sea floor which measure magnetism from vessels
and of equipment that can neutralize it ...... All NATO vessels have to
be under a certain value to avoid mines that are triggered by magnetic
fields ........ divers were sent down and around 22:30 hrs they
succeeded in getting the propeller free of the wires says the captain
Paul Myre of the tugboat Abramis ........ The tugboat Oyvaag
was also on the scene ....... after the submarine got free of the cables
they did not want to start its engines because they feared it would
sustain more damage to the sub, says Tore Idsoeo ..... Wednesday
night the submarine Dolfijn (4) was towed to Trondheim for
inspection, reports say that the sub has sustained a very little
damage......"
Check the Dolfijn
(4) in the 2000s
pictures page for related photos.
21 Apr - 24 Apr 2004: Dolfijn (4) visits
Trondheim. She depart in the late afternoon of the 24th.
Because of a malfunctioning fuel separator the Dolfijn (4) can only transit a slow speed. The filters that are used,
instead of the separator, have a lower capacity.
29 Apr 2004: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den
Helder (home port).
1 June 2004: Dolfijn (4) departs from Den Helder (home port).
+/- 7 July 2004: The Perisher Course has ended. Only one officer (from the US) did not pass the course.
8 July - 12 July 2004: Dolfijn (4) visits Göteborg (Sweden).
16 July 2004: In order to commemorate the French and British sailors, lost
when on 8 May 1940 the French ubmarine Doris was torpedoed by a German U-boat, a ceremony was held above the submarine wreck. After he wreck had been located in summer 2003 by Dutch divers Ton Van der Sluijs and Hans Van Leeuwen, for the first time since WW II, French, British and Dutch naval authorities with the son of the commanding officer of the Doris gathered above the wreck which is located 30 nm off Den Helder. The French Navy held aboard the Pluvier the ceremony under the command of vice-admiral d'Arbonneau, commander of the French Force océanique stratégique. During the ceremony several wreathes were tossed and the Dutch submarine Dolfijn (4) was
also close by to pay her respect.
16 July 2004: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Den Helder (home port).
10 Sep 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Den Helder (home port).
28 Sep 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Cagliari (Sardinia).
In Cagliari member of parliament Maarten Haverkamp (member of the Defense Commission) comes on board. He will stay for a couple of days.
1 Oct 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Cagliari (Sardinia).
18 Oct 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Ibiza (Spain).
20 Oct 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Mallorca (Spain).
20 Oct 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to epart from Mallorca (Spain).
30 Oct 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Leizoes (Portugal).
5 Nov 2004: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Den Helder (home port).
2005
2 February 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Den Helder (home port). She is scheduled to return the same day.
18 February 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Trondheim (Norway).
21 February 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Trondheim (Norway). She is scheduled to depart the same day.
21 Feb 2005: Dolfijn (4) is visited by A. Eijsink, member of the House of Representatives of the Dutch Parliament. She is the first fenalke Dutch member of the House of Representatives that spends a night aboard a submarine, she will stay for a week during a NATO exercise off the Norwegian coast.
11 March 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Bergen (Norway).
14 March 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Bergen (Norway).
17 March 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Wilhelmshaven (Germany). She is scheduled to depart the same day.
18 March 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Den Helder (home port).
2 June 2005 at 12:40 hrs: Dolfijn (4) arrives in Valletta Grand Harbour (Malta.).
6 June 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from La Valetta (Malta).
13 June 2005: The Dutch television program Netwerk shows a documentary about the sinking of the French fishing trawler Bugaled Breizh. In the documentary the allegation is made that she was sunk after a submarine caught one of the lines of the trawler and dragged her under. Main suspect is the Dutch submarine Dolfijn (4).
14 June 2005: The Dutch MOD releases another statement about the allegations made in the June 13th documentary.
16 June 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Taranto (Italy).
19 June 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Taranto (Italy).
24 June 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Taranto (Italy).
26 June 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Taranto (Italy).
17 June - 30 June 2005: The Dolfijn (4) and Mercuur (4) participate in the Submarine Rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 2005. This international exercise is held in the Bay of Taranto.
Divers from various nations will work together to rescue submariners during the exercise in the Mediterranean off the coast of Taranto, Italy from June 17-30, 2005. Sorbet Royal 2005 is the largest and most challenging live submarine escape and rescue exercise ever conducted. Participating nations will test their capabilities and interoperability with 27 participating nations (including 14 NATO nations, Russia, Ukraine and Israel). Four submarines will be placed on the bottom (each with up to 52 men aboard) while rescue forces with a range of sophisticated rescue vehicles and systems work together to solve complex disaster rescue problems in a variety of difficult scenarios.
20 June 2005:
The French ship Ailette (supply/support vessel) carries out a SURVEYEX (approach and survey of a distressed submarine by divers) and PODEX (posting of a POD to re supply essential life support stores, by passing the POD through either an escape trunk or torpedo tube) with the Dolfijn (4), including supporting divers from Spain. Divers from USA, Canada, Greece and the Netherlands observed the operation.
21 June 2005:
Mercuur (4), UKR Krements, UKR Slavutchy and RMAS Salmoor perform a SCAPEX and SPAGEX (submarine parachute assistance group exercise) with the Dolfijn (4). The serials carried out at a depth of 30m for a total of 8 hours are supported by divers from Canada and Greece. There are 12 escapees recovered by 8 Ukrainian SPAG divers.
22 June 2005:
Mercuur (4), UKR Krements and UK SPAG (submarine parachute assistance group) conduct an ESCAPEX and SPAGEX (submarine parachute assistance group exercise) with Dolfijn (4) in 30m of water for a total of 10 hours.
23 June 2005:
Mercuur (4) and Anteo (an Italian Navy submarine rescue ship) carry out a RESCUEX (rescue of personnel from a distressed submarine) with the Dolfijn (4) in 42m of water for a total of 10 hours. Canadian, Dutch and Italian divers conduct a detailed SURVEYEX (approach and survey of a distressed submarine by divers) on the stricken submarine as well as a number of other complex diving operations.
24 June 2005:
The UK Vessel of Opportunity MV Fennica, Ukrainian
rescue tug Kremenets and Mercuur (4) conduct a RESCUEX (rescue of personnel from a distressed submarine) to free trapped submariners from the "sunken" submarine Dolfijn (4). She is bottomed in 58m of water for over twelve hours in which time a SEARCHEX (process of searching for a missing submarine) is completed by Mercuur (4) to locate the distressed submarine. The Mercuur (4) and Kremenets dive teams then worked on the submarine carrying out a SURVEYEX (approach and survey of a distressed submarine by divers). The LR5 (UK rescue submersible) then completed two dives with two successful matings with the disabled submarine.
27 June 2005:
The Spanish
oilrig support vessel Neptuno and Russian medical and diving support vessel Shaktyor perform a SURVEYEX (approach and survey of a distressed submarine by divers) and PODEX (posting of a POD to re supply essential life support stores, by passing the POD through either an escape trunk or torpedo tube) with Dolfijn (4). The submarine is bottomed in 28 m of water for a total of nine hours. During this time two surface supplied air dives are conducted as well as five SCUBA dives (Two Spanish, One Russian and 2 Greek Divers) with one pod being delivered successfully.
Mercuur (4) and Ukrainian
rescue tug Kremenets carry out a SURVEYEX (approach and survey of a distressed submarine by divers) and PODEX (posting of a POD to re supply essential life support stores, by passing the POD through either an escape trunk or torpedo tube) using the Spanish submarine Sirocco as the distressed and disabled submarine. The Sirocco is bottomed for seven and a half hours in 50 m of water and during this operation divers from Turkey, Spain, Canada, Greece and Ukraine participate.
28 June 2005: The Italian Navy submarine rescue ship Anteo and Motor Vessel (MV) Fennica today conduct a COORDEX (choreographed process of rescuing personnel from a distressed submarine with two or more assets). The exercise is performed on the Dolfijn (4) for a total of 11 hours in 67 metres of water. The LR5 (UK rescue submersible), operating off of Fennica, completed it's 1000th dive successfully with the SRV300 completing two simulated RESCUEXs with five observers onboard for each run.
The Turkish submarine Preveze takes part in a PODEX (posting of a POD to re supply essential life support stores, by passing the POD through either an escape trunk or torpedo tube) and SURVEYEX (approach and survey of a distressed submarine by divers) as the distressed submarine. Two ships, Mercuur (4) and Ukrainian rescue tug Kremenets carry out the exercises in 42 metres of water for a total of six hours.
29 June 2005: A mass medical casualty exercise commences with the “bottoming” of the Dolfijn (4) in 72 metres of water. The rescue vehicles LR5 and the SRV300 alternately then commenced the rescue of the “casualties”. As of 5 pm, twenty-four personnel have been recovered by the LR5 and transferred to the Fennica and eighteen by the Italian SRV300 and transferred to the Anteo. Thirty eight personnel remain on the distressed submarine. The serial is continuing until all eighty personnel are recovered and treated.
30 June 2005: Today is the last day of the largest combined international submarine rescue exercise to date. 14 NATO members and partners participated with a total of 27 countries present. Three serials were completed off the coast of Southern Italy today. The key event today is day two of the mass casualty exercise with the Dolfijn (4) and a combination of rescue ships.
The first exercise carried out today is that involving the UK Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) Motor Vessel (MV) Fennica and the Italian ship Anteo. They use the LR5 and the SRV300 in combination to rescue personnel from Dolfijn (4). The Dolfijn (4) is bottomed in 72 metres of water at 0600B on the 29 June 2005. She finally surfaces after thirty one and a half hours at 1328B 30 June 2005.
75 simulated casualties are transported from Dolfijn (4) by the Fennica and the Anteo. This is achieved by making four runs in the SRV300 with a total of 36 personnel and four runs by the LR5 with a total of 39 personnel being transferred.
7 July 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Porto (Portugal).
10 July 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Porto (Portugal).
15 - 17 July 2005: During the Vlootdagen (Fleet Days) in Den Helder the Bruinvis, Zeeleeuw (2), Dolfijn (4) and Mercuur (4) are open to the public.
5 Oct 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Den Helder (home port).
11 Nov 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to arrive in Stavanger (Norway).
14 Nov 2005: Dolfijn (4) is scheduled to depart from Stavanger (Norway).
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