The ''Bottsand''-class oil recovery ships (Type 738) of the

German Navy The German Navy (, ) is the navy of Germany and part of the unified ''Bundeswehr'' (Federal Defense), the German Armed Forces. The German Navy was originally known as the ''Bundesmarine'' (Federal Navy) from 1956 to 1995, when ''Deutsche Mari ...

are intended for seawater pollution control. The twin hull ships feature a bow which can be opened by 65 degrees. This creates an area of more than to collect oil-polluted seawater. The water is pumped into the ship's tank, where it will be cleaned and the oil separated. Per hour one ship can clean up to of ocean surface polluted with a oil slick. The two ships in the class entered service in 1984 and 1987. The ships are auxiliary ships of the navy. They are used to contain oil spills from German ships in the sea. They are crewed by civilians and not naval personnel.

List of ships

References

{{Ship classes of the Deutsche Marine Auxiliary ship classes Bottsand class oil recovery ship