The Tanja is an automobile ferry, built in 1959, that currently operates the Neu Darchau to Darchau Ferry across the Elbe river in Germany. The ship has previously carried the names Waal and Wijkse Veer.[1]

Darchau Ferry
History
NameTanja (Darchau ferry)
RouteNeu Darchau–Darchau (Elbe, Lower Saxony)
BuilderScheepswerf en Machinefabriek H. J. Koopman, Dordrecht, Netherlands
Launched1959
In service1993
Statusin active service, as of 2010
General characteristics
TypeDouble-ended ferry
Length45.9 m (150 ft 7 in)
Beam12.1 m (39 ft 8 in)
Draught0.7 m (2 ft 4 in)
Propulsion
Speed14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Capacity140 tonnes / 200 passengers

General information

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The ferry itself was built in 1959 at the Scheepswerf en Machinefabriek H. J. Koopman in Dordrecht, Netherlands, and placed in service on 26 March 1960 as the Waal. From 1960 to 1974 it was operated by the Dutch municipality of Tiel. In 1974 the boat was taken over by the municipality of Wijk bij Duurstede. It ran there under the name of Wijkse Veer until 1993. Since 1993 the boat has been run as the Tanja Ferry by the municipality of Neu Darchau.[1][2]

The current Tanja replaced a smaller double-ended ferry of the same name that became the reserve ferry in Neu Darchau in 1997.[3]

Technical information

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Tanja is an open, double-ended ferry with ramps at both ends. The wheelhouse is located on a bridge in the centre above the vehicle deck. The ferry has a total length of 45.9 metres, a width of 12.1 metres and a draught of 0.7 metres. Its usable transport length is 30.9 metres, its carrying capacity 140 tonnes. Up to 21 vehicles or 200 passengers may be carried. The highest weight for a single vehicle is 40 tonnes.[4] The ferry has a top speed of 14 km/h. It is powered by two Scania diesel engines that each drive a Voith Schneider Propeller.

References

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  1. ^ a b Langes, Wilhelm (2003). "Tanja". Wagenfähren in Deutschland, den Niederlanden und Westeuropa. Dortmund. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Eigenbetrieb Fähre Tanja". Webseite der Gemeinde Neu Darchau. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  3. ^ Wilhelm Langes: Baden-Pfalz. In: Binnenfähren in Deutschland, den Niederlanden und Westeuropa. Dortmund 2003. Accessed on 1 August 2009.
  4. ^ Elbfähre Darchau–Neu Darchau. Archived 2010-07-08 at the Wayback Machine In: Verkehrsinfo Region Hamburg. Schiff & Hafen. Elbfähren. Behörde für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt Hamburg - Amt für Verkehr und Straßenwesen, Hamburg Juni 2003. Accessed on 9 May 2009.

53°14′6.33″N 10°53′31.25″E / 53.2350917°N 10.8920139°E / 53.2350917; 10.8920139