1975  – GIESSENSTROOM

The GIESSENSTROOM was the second tug that became part of the ‘fleet’ of Van Wijngaarden Marine Services, following the takeover of Rederij Vlietstroom. The ship was built in 1971 and was named after the peat river ‘Giessen’ in the Alblasserwaard region. The Giessen is a 16 km long river that flows in a southwesterly direction through the municipalities of Molenlanden and Hardinxveld-Giessendam to eventually flow into the ‘Merwede’ in Neder-Hardinxveld.

History
Business was going well at Rederij Vlietstroom when in 1970 an order was given for the construction of a second tugboat to the design of Mr. C. van Gelder. Dockyard Gebr. De Ruiter began the construction of the frame on the Rivierdijk in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, but the completion happened at their new location on a branch of the Giessen river on ‘De Peulen’ industrial estate. On October 2, 1971, the festive delivery took place. Rederij Vlietstroom acquired a new tugboat with accomodation facilities on board for four people. This made the boat available 24/7. The first job for the Giessenstroom was on salt water for the construction of the new harbour entrance in Delfzijl, Groningen.