If you travel to the Sassnitz on the Eastern coast of the island of Rügen, to visit the chalk cliffs (“Königsstuhl”) for example, then you may be surprised to find signs to “H.M.S. Otus”.
H.M.S.? As in “Her Majesty’s Ship?” Well, almost. Actually it is an Oberon-class submarine that was launched in Scotland in 1962 and served with the Royal Navy until it was decommissioned in 1991.
H.M.S. Otus in Sassnitz harbour
After decommissioning she was towed to Stralsund on the Baltic coast, before being moored in the harbour at Sassnitz, where she is now a floating museum.
At 90 metres long she is an impressive sight in the harbour, and as with her sister submarine “Ocelot” at Chatham Historic Dockyard, it is possible to go on board and inside the “Otus” to see what submarine technology of the 1960s looked like.
Opening times are 10am-7pm from May to October, otherwise 10am-4pm. Entry costs €6 for adults, €3 for children, and there is a €1 charge to take photographs.
There is pay and display parking nearby, and a number of boat tours leave from further along the quay to take visitors to the chalk cliffs including the “Königsstuhl”, offering a chance to see the “Otus” from the other side and making an interesting combination for a day out.
Prices are correct at the time of writing in 2013.
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