THE MV KARIN

A Second World War Kriegsfishkutter (War Fish Cutter) vessel

A Ship Under Four Flags.

Learn the fascinating and exciting past of the the Karin 

1944 – 1945.

The KARIN was built for the Kriegsmarine as KFK 631 by Ernst Burmester at their shipyard in Swinemunde, Germany and was launched in late October 1944. She was commissioned into the German Navy and she served in the 55th Vorstenflottille (patrol boat flotilla) based at Florvag in Norway with the identification pennant No. V5537.
In May 1945 the vessel was surrendered and returned to Kiel with other KFK boats in her flotilla.

1945 – 1953.

Allocated to the United States as war reparations, the KARIN remained in Germany and was transferred to the German Mine Sweeping Administration (GMSA) under allied
control. In 1946 the Americans leased the ship to the Bremen Government, her armament and depth charge equipment was removed and she was converted into a fishing boat. The United States consequently handed over the vessel to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1953 under international treaty.

1953 – 1994.

The KARIN was sold privately continuing to be registered and based at Finkenwerder near Hamburg. As a member of the deep-sea fishing fleet she was to hold her fishing
number HF 410 for over fifty years. During this period she must have had many adventures and seen the weather and sea conditions at their worst.

1994 – PRESENT DAY.

In 1994 KARIN retired from the fishing fleet and was sold into British ownership to be converted into a dive boat based in Stromness Orkney. Accommodation cabins and
a saloon were added. The little vessel then embarked on a new career catering for recreational and technical divers wishing to explore the wrecks of nearby Scapa Flow.
Also embarking on dive expeditions and trips to Shetland and Norway she became a popular favourite with divers. Now over 80 years old, refurbished and under new
management KARIN has opened another chapter, continuing to build on her long and illustrious career.

Photo: A German Naval vessel of a unknown Kriegsfischkutter ( KFK boat)