– It is special to be here and christen this ship, when we are in the most serious security political situation for a long time. That’s what Minister of Justice and godmother Emilie Enger Mehl says in her speech, before she smashes a champagne bottle into the side of the new coast guard vessel. Almost three years after construction began, the ship is finished and ready to be used by the Norwegian Armed Forces. A ship that is built to do all the tasks that the Coast Guard has, and that is specially designed to operate in the northern regions. – It is fantastic, says Chief of the Coast Guard, Oliver Berdal. – These are going to be insanely good tools, to ensure that the Coast Guard is able to carry out its missions, especially in the North, says Chief of the Coast Guard Oliver Berdal. Photo: Øyvind Berge Sæbjørnes / news – Tailor-made KV “Jan Mayen” is only one of three ships to strengthen the Coast Guard. The other two, KV “Bjørnøya” and KV “Hopen”, are still under construction at Vard Langsten, which won the tender in 2018. The names are to be a symbol of the presence the ships will have in the northern regions. All three are islands in the north. Berdal explains that these ships are built with modern technology, which means they can withstand bad weather and high seas. They are also ice-reinforced, which allows them to operate in the ice zone. – We are really looking forward to getting tools that are tailored to what we do in the north, says the coast guard chief. The ship will be able to do everything from search and rescue to oil spill protection. Berdal says with great enthusiasm that this will be “crazy good tools for the Coast Guard”. From left: Director of Defense Materiel Gro Jære, Chief of the Norwegian Navy Rune Andersen, Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl, Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram and Chief of the Coast Guard Oliver Berdal. Photo: Silje Thalberg / news – Important for Norway – The Coast Guard is very important for Norway. They solve many civilian missions, but are part of the Norwegian Armed Forces, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. The Coast Guard is the state’s most important exercise of authority along the coast and at sea, writes the Ministry of Defense itself. And many are pleased that they will be strengthened with three new ships going forward. – These ships constitute a powerful boost for civil and military preparedness. The ships will be an important support for search and rescue throughout Norway’s area of responsibility, says Justice Minister Enger Mehl. – It is a great honor to be the godmother of a great vessel, which will also be important for both military and civil preparedness throughout Norway, says Minister of Justice Emilie Enger Mehl. Photo: Silje Thalberg / news She also emphasizes that these ships have a large helicopter deck. This means that you get a greater range of the helicopter capacity with the SAR Queen rescue helicopter, because they can land on the ship. – We have a large area of responsibility along the coast and at sea, right up to the North Pole. It will be great to get these in place, says Enger Mehl. The new ship KV “Jan Mayen”. The cost frame for the project with the three new Coast Guard ships is estimated at approximately NOK 7 billion. Photo: Silje Thalberg / news
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– Important for preparedness, says the Minister of Justice – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
