when one operates in proximity to off-
was built in Rauma for the Soviet Union,
2003. Third sister ship, Hanko, was deliv-
shore platforms and precise steering is re-
starting operations in October 1987.
ered in June 2005.
quired. The DAS concept yields undeniable
The ship is still very much active,
With a length of 51 metres, the ves-
benefits in this area.” Offshore platforms
making news in August 2007 as it sailed
sel type features aluminium construction
are often at risk of being surrounded by
in the path of an icebreaker on the way
and also light weight composite materials
grounded ice rubble.
to the North Pole.
are used, e.g. in the superstructure. The
Other innovative solutions include
propulsion system is two water jets, which
icebreakers for assistance of tankers during
NAVAL TRADITION
loading operations, supply vessels with ice
Rauma expertise covers also navy solu-
Timo Suistio acknowledges that
breaking capabilities and even ice break-
tions. During the recent years, the yard has
there haven’t been orders for new navy
ing tankers.
delivered four Hamina-class fast surface
ships in a while, but is relatively optimistic
combatant vessels for Finnish Navy. The
that there is more to come:
Suistio sees that the present development really started with Akademik Fe-
latest, Pori, was delivered in June 2006.
dorov, a Russian scientific diesel-electric re-
The first Hamina-class vessel, Hami-
search vessel, back in the late 1980s. The
the series, Tornio, was delivered in May
“We have enjoyed very good coop-
na, was built in 1998, and the second of
flagship of the Russian polar research fleet
give the vessel a speed of over 30 knots.
18
seatec 1/2010
eration with the Navy over the years.” ■
SAMI J. ANTEROINEN