We’ve never actually been to the Maldives so we can’t really compare but the East Frisian islands are certainly special Most people’s reaction when we say we’re going to jump over the islands of Germany is “Germany has islands?!” Germans know this of course and they flock there from the mainland every summer It’s like a well-kept secret… and we can see why… Heino and Grit from Fallschirmsport Damme in Germany have organised a boogie based on the island of Norderney This was the second summer that Angelo’s School of Bigway was invited to bring fixed groups of bigway jumpers along The boogie is small with many of the same skydivers returning every year so the atmosphere on the dropzone is very relaxed and friendly.  We arrived as a group of 32 skydivers from various countries including Ireland On day one we split into our groups; a 16way organised by Angelo and a 14way organised by Ils Van den Weygaert The plan was to go island hopping (depending on the weather) Luckily for us we had blue skies and sunshine We were advised to bring our mobile phones and some money in our jumpsuits or weight belts Some of the group had jumped above the islands before but for others it was the first time The atmosphere in the plane was magical as people gazed out of the Caravan windows at the breathtaking views quickly grabbing their phones to take photos and videos Building a 16way out of a Caravan can be challenging and we all normally prefer using a Skyvan but on this event being in the Caravan added so much to the experience for the visuals For five days straight we had beautiful weather which actually gave us all a welcome break We made 22 bigway jumps onto the islands of Juist We also jumped onto the mainland so that the plane could refuel while we had tea and cake at the restaurant Moments like these are what made the event so memorable and like no other The jumps were great; we made many completions and multiple points Inbetween loads we enjoyed lunches at the Nepalese restaurant on Juist island relaxed holiday vibe and gave us all the chance to get to know each other better After jumping we often ate together at Dune 13 a local restaurant which doesn’t normally stay open in the evenings but they made an exception for a group of hungry skydivers I honestly can’t remember how many different types of fish we ate that week One evening at the dropzone we were treated to a delicious local delicacy; “matjes” (fresh young herring) served with potatoes and vegetables This was prepared for us by the father of Marcella who runs the local campsite where most of us slept Marcella was always up early preparing breakfast sandwiches and snacks for everyone at the dropzone.  There’s also plenty to do on Norderney when not jumping Angelo and I stayed a few extra days after the event and enjoyed an afternoon in the Badehaus which has an impressive number of natural salt baths pools and saunas – perfect for a bad weather day; not that we had one!  And with many wonderful memories and beautiful photos/videos Big thanks to the cameraflyers Dave Clarke and  Maverick Verdegem This event has quickly become one of the highlights of our year Someone from the group described it as ‘the best jumps of my life.’ Thank you to Fallschirmsport Damme We can’t wait to come back again next year! Norderney boogie will run from 10-20 July 2025. Angelo will be organising fixed groups there for 5 days between 13-17 July 2025. These dates could change slightly but you can keep an eye on updates by joining Angelo’s School of Bigway on Facebook Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" You have successfully joined our subscriber list About Skydive Mag Contact Us Advertise Terms of Service Advertising Terms Contributor Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Skydive Mag Limited is a company registered in England and Wales at Companies House with company number 06587800 Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie PolicyWebsite by Kevin Blackledge Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Blazes are said to be under control and ships report no human casualties After a string of claimed but unconfirmed attacks on various vessels lately, Yemen’s Houthi rebels actually hit two ships in the Gulf of Aden over the weekend. The vessels are managed by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co and Germany’s Reederei Lauterjung. United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) was the first authority to report the two separate incidents, in which “unknown projectiles” impacted the 5,700-dwt multipurpose vessel Norderney (built 2012) and the 5,900-teu container ship MSC Tavvishi (built 2000). Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Your data on TradeWinds TradeWinds is part of DN Media Group AS From November 1st DN Media Group is responsible for controlling your data on TradeWinds We use your data to ensure you have a secure and enjoyable user experience when visiting our site. You can read more about how we handle your information in our privacy policy DN Media Group is the leading news provider in the shipping, seafood, and energy industries, with a number of English- and Norwegian-language news publications across a variety of sectors. Read more about DN Media Group here TradeWinds is part of NHST Global Publications AS and we are responsible for the data that you register with us and the data we collect when you visit our websites We use cookies in a variety of ways to improve your experience such as keeping NHST websites reliable and secure personalising content and ads and to analyse how our sites are being used For more information and how to manage your privacy settings please refer to our privacy and cookie policies Iranian-backed Houthi militants have launched a series of attacks targeting both military and civilian vessels in the Gulf of Aden Central Command responded swiftly to neutralise imminent threats to the region’s maritime security amid escalating tensions Houthi forces in Yemen launched anti-ship ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles into the Gulf of Aden but no injuries were reported to the crew or passengers The Swiss-operated cargo ship M/V Tavvishi was struck by an anti-ship ballistic missile yet managed to continue its journey despite the damage incurred registered under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and operated by a German company incurred damage after being struck by both an anti-ship ballistic missile and an anti-ship cruise missile but yet it managed to continue its journey US Centcom forces successfully neutralised two Houthi land attack cruise missiles and a missile launcher within the Houthi-controlled area of Yemen in response to the attacks US Centcom forces intercepted and destroyed one unmanned aerial system over the Gulf of Aden These measures were taken to ensure the safety of US and commercial vessels navigating the crucial waterways in the region Disclaimer : The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct we make no representations or warranties of any kind suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction Marine Insight News Network is a premier source for up-to-date and insightful coverage of the maritime industry Marine Insight News Network prides itself on delivering accurate Signup today and get maritime ebooks submitted to your inbox directly.  © 2010 - 2025 Marine Insight — All Rights Reserved We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. Yemeni naval forces have carried out two separate operations against a British destroyer and two commercial vessels off the nation's coast demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip The Yemeni military announced in a statement on Sunday that the forces targeted the HMS Diamond in the Red Sea with a number of ballistic missiles emphasizing that the strike was “accurate.” did not say whether the retaliatory attack had caused any damage Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won’t stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza which have killed at least 37,084 people and wounded another 84,494 individuals Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said it is “a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly.” The attacks have forced some of the world’s biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses: www.presstv.co.uk Click the "share" button in the bottom bar Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Dutch Damen Shipyards Group has handed over Germany’s first all-electric catamaran (E-Kat) ferry to shipping company AG Reederei Norden-Frisia the ship was towed from Rotterdam to Borkum island in the North Sea the ferry reached the island of Norderney and then Norddeich under its own power and purely electrically powered Capable of accomodating up to 150 passengers the vessel will operate between Norddeich and Norderney on the East Frisian Wadden Sea which recently completed its acceptance trials has been designed to operate on a 30-minute route with 28 minutes allowed at each end to disembark and embark passengers the newbuild will travel around eight times a day to Norderney and back Built at Damen shipyards in Poland and the Netherlands Given the shallow waterways in which it will operate it has been designed with twin hulls giving it a draught of just 1.2 meters These aluminium hulls together with a superstructure ensure that weight has been kept to a minimum enabling it to operate at speeds of up to 12 knots The E-Kat ferry is said to be part of a wider program of AG Reederei Norden-Frisia to achieve zero emissions The vessel will be CO2-neutral when operating and the electricity that charges its batteries will come from onshore solar panels We are delighted that it has been delivered and look forward to seeing it in operation once the summer season gets underway It has been built to the highest standards and we have no doubt that it will serve for many years to come,” Joschka Böddeling Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox The Pioneers of Offshore Engineering GustoMSC part of NOV’s Marine and Construction business is recognized for providing advanced design & engineering consultancy for mobile offshore units and reliable equipment and technical knowledge into realistic & innovative ideas The performance of new and existing jack-ups Often referred to as the Wadden Sea Islands, the Frisian Islands are a chain of low-lying islands that form an archipelago in the eastern margins of the North Sea and are positioned northwest of the European mainland The Frisian Islands are further subdivided into the North These Islands are located in the northernmost part of the German region of Frisia and are divided between Denmark and Germany A total of 14 islands comprising of 4 large islands and 10 small islets form a part of the North Frisian Islands These islands are administered under the northernmost German state of Schleswig-Holstein as a part of the Nordfriesland district The 10 small islets are referred to as Halligen the island of Sylt is the largest among all the North Frisian Islands Sylt is noted for its beautiful beaches and tourist resorts and is connected to the mainland via the Hindenburgdamm causeway The Danish Wadden Islands are situated to the north of the North Frisian Islands These include the inhabited islands of Rømø and Fanø as well as the uninhabited islets of Langli and Koresand Numerous tourists visit the main islands during the summer season and the towns of Norderney and Borkum serve as the most popular resort areas A total of 14 islands forms a part of the West Frisian Islands and are administered by the Netherlands the island of Texel is the largest and the most populous among all the Frisian Islands The Frisian Islands were formed as a result of deglaciation during the planet’s last glacial period. About 7,000 years ago during the start of the Holocene era, the current North Sea area was submerged due to the rising sea levels. Large amounts of sand were deposited by tidal action along the seashores, creating sand dunes The powerful sea waves eventually broke these dunes apart and resulted in the formation of the Wadden Islands and their tidal mudflats the growth of plants on the island led to the subsequent stabilization of the land It has been observed that the Frisian Islands have been constantly undergoing slow "migrating" movement the islands in the western part have started to disappear whereas the islands in the eastern part have grown in size Humans have inhabited the Frisian Island for several years. The people who inhabit these islands are referred to as Frisians after the German region of Frisia. Frisian is also a minority language spoken by about 10,000 people in this region of Germany The mudflats of the islands contain many aquatic species like crabs About 12 million birds including 34 species of migratory birds are also found here The area that surrounds these islands serve as a popular navigational passage and have also been widely explored for petroleum and natural gas all these activities pose a serious threat to the region’s extremely fragile biosphere To protect the flora and fauna of the region the majority of Frisian Islands are protected under an International Wildlife Reserve which is maintained by the countries of Denmark photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com “Hyper powered vessel battery charging system” (HYPOBATT) is the title of a European pilot project that aims to advance the electrification of ferry shipping The focus is on the necessary charging infrastructure in the ports The goal is to develop a megawatt charging standard for ferries The Dutch charging specialist Heliox has won the contract for the charging system multi-MW fast-charging systems are to be installed demonstrated and their use evaluated in selected Northsea ports in Germany as part of HYPOBATT this will involve the ferry service between Norddeich and Norderney The charging system that Heliox is developing is to deliver an output of two megawatts will not only resupply the ferries but also help charge harbour vehicles The specifications include a shorter and automated connection between the ship and the charging station in less than 30 seconds after docking optimisation of the daily operation of the charging station from connection to the vessels’ departure reduction of operating and maintenance costs by 20 per cent and HYPOBATT’s assessment of flexibility in terms of power levels Despite the charging power of up to two megawatts the newly deployed technology is expected to minimise the impact on the power grid The project aims to standardise e-ferry charging develop new business models for battery-powered boats and make ferry operations faster and more sustainable the HYPOBATT consortium intends to propose a regulatory framework to the EU Commission to advise on the requirements to standardise DC shore connections “We are very proud to be part of this project and accelerate the electrification of the maritime industry by applying our knowledge and experience in automotive charging technologies,” says Mark Smidt Director of Business Innovations at Heliox “This is an incredible opportunity to develop and commission an MW charging system for ferries and demonstrate successful deployment.” Heliox specialises in commercial vehicle charging and is familiar with high-power charging – although not on this scale until now the company unveiled its first chargers for passenger cars heliox-energy.com I agree with the Privacy policy electrive has been following the development of electric mobility with journalistic passion and expertise since 2013 we offer comprehensive coverage of the highest quality — as a central platform for the rapid development of this technology German shipping company AG Reederei Norden-Frisia’s fully electric catamaran (E-Kat), the first of its kind in Germany, has completed official acceptance trials paving the way for its arrival in Norddeich in January Built by Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands the 32.3-meter vessel can carry 150 passengers and features a charging capacity of 1,800 kW enabling rapid 28-minute recharging for up to eight daily trips between Norddeich and Norderney Part of a broader sustainability initiative the vessel will operate with zero CO₂ emissions cutting travel time to Norderney to just 30 minutes info@cosbc.ca Board of Directors Spill Response Port Security Events Careers Secretariat Service The offshore substation at Gode Wind 3 Offshore Wind Farm was successfully installed 30 km off the island of Norderney. Here, all the energy produced by the 23 wind turbines will be collected and converted. Hamburg’s Speicherstadt | © guentherlig / Pixabay St Peter Ording The small beachside town of St Peter Ording came to fame through a ’90s German TV series about the lives of a bunch of windsurfers. Since then, the resort town has become somewhat of a mecca for wind and kitesurfers But there’s plenty to do even if you don’t want to spend your weekend in a wetsuit but rather watch the waves turn from one of the canopied beach chairs explore the Wadden Sea national park or you book yourself into a spa hotel If you want to venture a bit further than the next bigger city, a drive up to Norden and the following ferry ride over to Norderney might be an option. The island is part of the East Frisian archipelago and boasts lovely beaches, walking trails, cute cafés and restaurants and watersport activities. Make sure to plan for dinner at the Weiße Düne restaurant you’ll want to snatch a spot on the wicker beach chairs on the terrace and or in front of the fireplace inside Norderney beach | © WebWertig / Pixabay Cuxhaven Cuxhaven is a seaside town at Germany’s North Sea coast and the gateway to the East Frisian Islands the town itself offers a few charming attractions such as a submarine that has been converted to a museum the 600-year-old manor house Ritzebüttel Castle and the Alte Liebe pier Approximately 200 kilometres southwest of Bremen, Münster charms visitors with a mixture of historic architecture and a youthful spirit The university city is littered with architectural gems that exemplify its fascinating 1,200-year-long history cobbled streets and gabled houses and some fantastic museums give you more than enough to do for a weekend trip Prinzipalmarkt Münster | © hpgruesen / Pixabay Groningen The Dutch border is only 130 kilometres away from Bremen and you can get to Groningen often referred to as Amsterdam’s little brother The city entices visitors with picturesque canals historical sights and the futuristic-looking Groninger Museum which is dedicated to contemporary and modern art Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Heligoland Some 70 kilometres off the coast of Bremerhaven lies the Heligoland archipelago The islands are famous for their dramatic landscapes of steep red sandstone cliffs and bizarre rock formations that protrude from the choppy waters of the North Sea A weekend here includes seal-watching trips dinner at excellent seafood restaurants and – this might surprise you – duty-free shopping a daily ferry takes you across from Bremerhaven Heligoland cliffs | © sl-fotografie / Pixabay If you click on a link in this story All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do A Guide to River Cruises in Germany: What to Know Design The Most Beautiful Churches in Berlin See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Art 10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd took over waste collection for nearly 200,000 inhabitants the municipality hired 16 new drivers and invested in 11 new DAF trucks with Allison fully-automatic transmissions Germany – The Aurich district is a popular North Sea destination windmills and cow-filled pastures dotting the almost 1,290 km² region located in the northwestern-most part of Germany the municipality has been responsible for collecting its own paper This change resulted from a study which showed that the cost to handle refuse collection directly from the municipality would be less expensive more consistent with the costs of a private company the district of Aurich has been able to reduce garbage fees by about 9.5 percent in 2011 and an additional 2.6 percent more in 2012 for a total decrease of just over 12 percent for the 100,000 homes in popular seaside cities like Norddeich as well as the East Frisian Island of Norderney Aurich hired 19 people – 16 of them drivers – and invested about 2.1 million euro in 11 new DAF vehicles with Allison 3000 Series fully-automatic transmissions had two important criteria during the tender: a really robust transmission and proximity to the workshop “Every truck empties an average of 800 refuse bins daily quick reachability and a good cost-benefit ratio for routine maintenance are crucial so vehicle downtime and costs are as minimal as possible,” he said With DAF Truck Sales & Service Dealer™ Rudolf Bohlje Kraftfahrzeuge from Hesel The dealer offered him vehicles which met the tender’s demands exactly and the workshop is only 15 km away from his depot Ten DAF CF 75s with 228 kW (310 PS) and side-loader bodywork from HS Fahrzeugbau now service the mainland in one-man operation Seven trucks feature a loader with a permanent mounted container and three are equipped with “CWS,” a container loading system Each vehicle has covered about 48,000 km with 1,700 operating hours on average the numbers varying slightly depending on operating area a DAF LF 55 with 165 kW (220 PS) and rear-loader bodywork was purchased since a smaller vehicle was needed for the island’s narrow alleyways The waste is loaded in bulk containers and shipped on a container ship to Norddeich on the mainland and afterwards transported to the treatment plant of MKW GmbH & Co and there have been no objections or huge repairs to date,” said Appelhoff “Our drivers especially like the trucks with fully-automatic transmissions because they don’t have to worry about the clutch and can have both hands on the wheel That’s an enormous relief,” he concluded Vehicles equipped with Allison fully-automatic transmissions are ideally suited for refuse collection because they ensure an efficient operation cycle and reduced maintenance cost Allison’s Continuous Power Technology™ features a patented torque converter and uninterrupted shifts for superior vehicle productivity The torque converter offers not only excellent vehicle startability but also eliminates costly starting clutch repair and provides drivetrain protection against torque shock and vibrations Since clutch replacements aren’t necessary fully-automatic transmissions save operators money while reducing vehicle maintenance downtime Waste collection vehicles on the East Frisian mainland Waste collection vehicle on the island Norderney The waste company of Aurich is responsible for the collection of the blue (paper) black (residual waste) and green (organic waste) refuse bins for about 103,000 households Every collection of the micro-chipped organic and residual waste bins is tracked electronically by the ident-system waste collection vehicles register every fill around one million organic and residual waste bins and 1.2 million paper bins get emptied by Aurich’s 16 drivers Allison Transmission is the world’s largest manufacturer of fully-automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles military vehicles and hybrid-propulsion systems for transit buses Allison transmissions are used in a variety of applications including on-highway trucks (distribution off-highway vehicles and equipment (primarily energy and mining) and military vehicles (wheeled and tracked) the Allison business is headquartered in Indianapolis Allison has manufacturing facilities and customization centers located in China Allison also has approximately 1,400 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide More information about Allison is available at www.allisontransmission.com.  Roland Moore-Colyer, Propel Technology, Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, OX15 4FF. +44 (0)1295 722863 / +44 (0) 7547 242674. roland@propel-technology.com Miranda Jansen, Allison Transmission Europe B.V. Marketing Communications, Baanhoek 188, 3361GN Sliedrecht - The Netherlands, Tel: +31 78-6422 174. miranda.jansen@allisontransmission.com