F213 Augsburg arrives from Wilhelmshaven

The Bremen class frigate F213 Augsburg arrived late this afternoon – an impressive sight for those of us making our trek homeward across London Bridge.

F213 Augsburg passes through Tower Bridge

The frigate is one of eight ships in the fourth frigate squadron of the German navy and sailed to London direct from the squadron’s home port of Wilhelmshaven (leaving the port just after 6am on Monday 1st October). After passing through Tower Bridge at around 4.45pm she took up the usual berth alogside HMS Belfast with the assistance of tugs Svitzer Mercia and Svitzer Brunel.

The tug Svitzer Mercia leads the Augsburg to her berth alongside HMS Belfast

The Augsburg was constructed at the Bremer Vulkan shipyard and launched in 1987. The class is due to be replaced by the Type 125 Baden-Württemberg class of frigates in around 2016-2018. After a short stay in the capital the Augsburg is due to depart on Friday 5th October with a bridge lift scheduled for 4.35pm.

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