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|Ship ramps=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship ice class=1A
|Ship ice class=1A
|Ship power=*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Wärtsilä Vasa 16V22
|Ship power=*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Wärtsilä Vasa 16V22
*{{convert|4280|kW|hp|abbr=on}} (combined)
*{{convert|4280|kW|hp|abbr=on}} (combined)
|Ship propulsion=Two shafts; [[controllable-pitch propeller]]s
|Ship propulsion=Two shafts; [[Variable-pitch propeller (marine)|controllable-pitch propellers]]
<!--|Ship Stabilisers = Vosper 2L mk4 NO SUCH FIELD-->
<!--|Ship Stabilisers = Vosper 2L mk4 NO SUCH FIELD-->
|Ship speed={{convert|18|-|19|kn}}
|Ship speed={{convert|18|-|19|kn}}
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|Ship EW=*Decoy: Philax chaff and IR flares
|Ship EW=*Decoy: Philax chaff and IR flares
*ESM: Argo Systems radar warning system
*ESM: Argo Systems radar warning system
|Ship armament=*1{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}[[Bofors 57 mm L/70 naval artillery gun|Bofors 57 mm/70]] Mk1
|Ship armament=*1{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}[[Bofors 120 mm Automatic Gun L/46|Bofors 120 mm/46]] (pre 1996)
*1{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}[[Bofors 40 mm gun|Bofors 40 mm/70]]
*1{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}[[Bofors 57 mm Naval Automatic Gun L/70|Bofors 57 mm/70]] Mk1 (post 1998)
*2{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}Sako twin-barrel 23 mm/87 (modified [[ZU-23-2]])
*1{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}[[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|Bofors 40 mm/70]]
*2{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}[[NSV (machine gun)|NSV]] 12.7 mm machine guns
*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}Sako twin-barrel 23 mm/87 (modified [[ZU-23-2]])
*2{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}rails for [[depth charge]]s
*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}[[NSV (machine gun)|NSV]] 12.7 mm machine guns
*4{{nbsp}}&times;{{nbsp}}rails for 150 mines ([[Sea Mine 2000]])
*2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}rails for [[depth charge]]s
*4{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}rails for 150 mines ([[Sea Mine 2000]])
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
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'''''Pohjanmaa''''' is a former [[minelayer]] of the [[Finnish Navy]]. The sole member of her class, she was the [[flagship]] of the Finnish Navy as well as the largest naval ship in service in Finland until 2013. The ship has a [[Finnish-Swedish ice class]] 1A so she can operate all year round. During a crisis, the main task for ''Pohjanmaa'' would have been mine laying and acting as a [[command ship]]. She also acted as a [[school ship]] for the Naval Academy cadets. Part of their training includes an annual cruise abroad.
'''''Pohjanmaa''''' is a former [[minelayer]] of the [[Finnish Navy]]. The sole member of her class, she was the [[flagship]] of the Finnish Navy as well as the largest naval ship in service in Finland until 2013. The ship has a [[Finnish-Swedish ice class]] 1A so she can operate all year round. During a crisis, the main task for ''Pohjanmaa'' would have been mine laying and acting as a [[command ship]]. She also acted as a [[school ship]] for the Naval Academy cadets. Part of their training includes an annual cruise abroad.


The 34-year-old ''Pohjanmaa'' was scheduled for decommissioning in late 2013. In October 2013, minelayer {{sclass-|Hämeenmaa|minelayer|5}} took over the role of flagship of the Finnish Navy.<ref>[http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288592301743.html Miinalaiva Pohjanmaa jätti hyvästinsä torstaina - katso video]. Ilta-Sanomat, 23 August 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2014-05-23}}</ref>
The 34-year-old ''Pohjanmaa'' was scheduled for decommissioning in late 2013. In October 2013, minelayer {{sclass|Hämeenmaa|minelayer|5}} took over the role of flagship of the Finnish Navy.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130826072450/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288592301743.html Miinalaiva Pohjanmaa jätti hyvästinsä torstaina - katso video]. Ilta-Sanomat, 23 August 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2014-05-23}}</ref>


''Pohjanmaa'' was sold to the Finnish company [[Meritaito]] in 2016 and refitted as a survey vessel. She was renamed '''''Pohjanmeri''''', [[Finnish language|Finnish]] for the [[North Sea]].<ref>[http://www.ts.fi/uutiset/turun+seutu/2717533/Pohjanmaasta+tuli+ms+Pohjanmeri++tyot+odottavat+Barentsinmerella Pohjanmaasta tuli m/s Pohjanmeri – työt odottavat Barentsinmerellä]. Turun Sanomat, 12 July 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2016-07-12}}</ref>
''Pohjanmaa'' was sold to the Finnish company [[Meritaito]] in 2016 and refitted as a survey vessel. She was renamed '''''Pohjanmeri''''', [[Finnish language|Finnish]] for the [[North Sea]].<ref>[https://www.ts.fi/uutiset/2717533 Pohjanmaasta tuli m/s Pohjanmeri – työt odottavat Barentsinmerellä] . Turun Sanomat, 12 July 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2016-07-12}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:A port bow view of the Finnish navy minelayer POHJANMAA (01) underway during exercise BALTOPS '93 DN-SC-94-00865.jpg|thumb|left|''Pohjanmaa'' in 1993 before modernization with original armament]]
''Pohjanmaa'' was built in 1979 at the [[Wärtsilä]] [[Hietalahti shipyard|Helsinki Shipyard]], [[Finland]].
''Pohjanmaa'' was built in 1979 at the [[Wärtsilä]] [[Hietalahti shipyard|Helsinki Shipyard]], [[Finland]]. Her initial main armament consisted of a [[Bofors 120 mm Automatic Gun L/46]].


''Pohjanmaa'' first served as a school ship for the Naval Academy until 1992 when she was transferred to the [[Gulf of Finland]] Fleet (Now called [[Gulf of Finland Naval Command]]). When she was completed, she replaced the minelayer ''Ruotsinsalmi'' and as a school ship, ''Matti Kurki''. On 10 May 1982, she was given the traditional shield of ocean faring vessels previously held by ''[[Suomen Joutsen]]'', so in effect ''Pohjanmaa'' continues the tradition of the three ships. The ship underwent a heavy modernization program in 1996–1998, which included a replacing her 120&nbsp;mm main gun with a more modern [[Bofors 57 mm L/70 naval artillery gun|Bofors 57&nbsp;mm]] fully automatic anti-aircraft gun.
''Pohjanmaa'' first served as a school ship for the Naval Academy until 1992 when she was transferred to the [[Gulf of Finland]] Fleet (Now called [[Gulf of Finland Naval Command]]). When she was completed, she replaced the minelayer ''Ruotsinsalmi'' and as a school ship, ''Matti Kurki''. On 10 May 1982, she was given the traditional shield of ocean faring vessels previously held by ''[[Suomen Joutsen]]'', so in effect ''Pohjanmaa'' continues the tradition of the three ships. The ship underwent a heavy modernization program in 1996–1998, which included a replacing her Bofors 120&nbsp;mm L/46 main gun with a more modern [[Dual-purpose gun|dual-purpose]] [[Bofors 57 mm Naval Automatic Gun L/70]].


The annual training cruise for the cadets has taken the ship as far as [[Belém]], [[Brazil]]. The accommodation capacity of the vessel for the long range cruises can be increased with accommodation containers.
The annual training cruise for the cadets has taken the ship as far as [[Belém]], [[Brazil]]. The accommodation capacity of the vessel for the long range cruises can be increased with accommodation containers.
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On 28 June 2005, as part of their cruise, ''Pohjanmaa'' participated in the [[International Fleet Review 2005|International Fleet Review]] which is a part of the [[Trafalgar Day|''Trafalgar 200'']] celebrations.
On 28 June 2005, as part of their cruise, ''Pohjanmaa'' participated in the [[International Fleet Review 2005|International Fleet Review]] which is a part of the [[Trafalgar Day|''Trafalgar 200'']] celebrations.


In 2007, the ship was refitted together with the {{sclass-|Hämeenmaa|minelayer|1}}s and her colour scheme changed from camouflage to light grey. Her second aft gun was also removed from the aft deck due to narrow shooting sectors, which were even further narrowed due to a new bigger hydraulic crane of a new seaboat.
In 2007, the ship was refitted together with the {{sclass|Hämeenmaa|minelayer|1}}s and her colour scheme changed from camouflage to light grey. Her second aft gun was also removed from the aft deck due to narrow shooting sectors, which were even further narrowed due to a new bigger hydraulic crane of a new seaboat.


In 2010, it was decided that the Pohjanmaa would participate in [[Operation Atalanta]] in 2011. On 6 April 2011, ''Pohjanmaa'' captured a vessel suspected as [[pirate]] [[mothership]] along with two speedboats. The search onboard revealed assault rifles, RPGs and other weapons. Eighteen of the suspected pirates were incarcerated onboard ''Pohjanmaa''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Suspected+pirates+are+being+interrogated+on+board+minelayer+iPohjanmaai/1135265217246 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-04-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411220653/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Suspected+pirates+are+being+interrogated+on+board+minelayer+iPohjanmaai/1135265217246 |archivedate=2011-04-11 }} Article in the newspaper [[Helsingin Sanomat]]</ref> Since the Prosecutor General of Finland decided not to prosecute, the pirates were transferred to the jurisdiction of Operation Atalanta, which later released the pirates. The pirate ship and the speedboats were [[Scuttling|scuttled]] at sea.
In 2010, it was decided that the Pohjanmaa would participate in [[Operation Atalanta]] in 2011. On 6 April 2011, ''Pohjanmaa'' captured a vessel suspected as [[pirate]] [[mothership]] along with two speedboats. The search onboard revealed assault rifles, RPGs and other weapons. Eighteen of the suspected pirates were incarcerated onboard ''Pohjanmaa''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Suspected+pirates+are+being+interrogated+on+board+minelayer+iPohjanmaai/1135265217246 |title=Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Foreign |accessdate=2011-04-08 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411220653/http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Suspected+pirates+are+being+interrogated+on+board+minelayer+iPohjanmaai/1135265217246 |archivedate=2011-04-11 }} Article in the newspaper [[Helsingin Sanomat]]</ref> Since the Prosecutor General of Finland decided not to prosecute, the pirates were transferred to the jurisdiction of Operation Atalanta, which later released the pirates. The pirate ship and the speedboats were [[Scuttling|scuttled]] at sea.


== Naming ==
== Naming ==
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== Replacement ==
== Replacement ==


Despite modernizations, the over 30-year-old ''Pohjanmaa'' reached the end of her operational lifespan in the mid-2010s and the minelayer was decommissioned in late 2013.<ref name="tektal">[http://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/metalli/miinalaiva+pohjanmaata+ja+satoja+paseja+uhkaa+viimeinen+kayttopaiva/a677212 Miinalaiva Pohjanmaata ja satoja paseja uhkaa viimeinen käyttöpäivä]. Tekniikka & Talous, 31 August 2011.</ref> She will be replaced by [[Pohjanmaa-class corvette|the next generation's surface combatant]], bigger than the current missile boats and more capable for international co-operation.<ref name="ruotuväki">[http://www.mil.fi/ruotuvaki/?action=read_page&pid=116&aid=1916 Merten mittaajat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117183213/http://www.mil.fi/ruotuvaki/?action=read_page |date=2011-01-17 }}. Ruotuväki, 10/08.</ref> In addition to ''Pohjanmaa'', the new class of multi-purpose naval vessels—dubbed MTA2020 (''Monitoimialus 2020'') in the preliminary papers—is intended to replace also ''Hämeenmaa''-class minelayers and {{sclass-|Rauma|missile boat|1}}s as they are retired.<ref name="finlex12/2010">[http://www.finlex.fi/fi/esitykset/he/2010/20100012 Hallituksen esitys 12/2010]. FINLEX.</ref>
Despite modernizations, the over 30-year-old ''Pohjanmaa'' reached the end of her operational lifespan in the mid-2010s and the minelayer was decommissioned in late 2013.<ref name="tektal">[http://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/metalli/miinalaiva+pohjanmaata+ja+satoja+paseja+uhkaa+viimeinen+kayttopaiva/a677212 Miinalaiva Pohjanmaata ja satoja paseja uhkaa viimeinen käyttöpäivä]. Tekniikka & Talous, 31 August 2011.</ref> She will be replaced by [[Pohjanmaa-class corvette|the next generation's surface combatant]], bigger than the current missile boats and more capable for international co-operation.<ref name="ruotuväki">[http://www.mil.fi/ruotuvaki/?action=read_page&pid=116&aid=1916 Merten mittaajat] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117183213/http://www.mil.fi/ruotuvaki/?action=read_page |date=2011-01-17 }}. Ruotuväki, 10/08.</ref> In addition to ''Pohjanmaa'', the new class of multi-purpose naval vessels—dubbed MTA2020 (''Monitoimialus 2020'') in the preliminary papers—is intended to replace also ''Hämeenmaa''-class minelayers and {{sclass|Rauma|missile boat|1}}s as they are retired.<ref name="finlex12/2010">[http://www.finlex.fi/fi/esitykset/he/2010/20100012 Hallituksen esitys 12/2010]. FINLEX.</ref>


When ''Pohjanmaa'' was decommissioned, it was stated that the vessel would be either sold or scrapped if a sufficient buyer is not found.<ref>[http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288581006146.html Miinalaiva Pohjanmaa laitettiin myyntiin]. Ilta-Sanomat, 9 July 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2013-07-10}}</ref> In September 2013, it was reported that the [[Estonian Navy]] was interested in purchasing the vessel.<ref>[http://www.ts.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/537026/Viro+kiinnostui+miinalaiva+Pohjanmaasta+neuvotteluja+kaydaan+syksylla Viro kiinnostui miinalaiva Pohjanmaasta – neuvotteluja käydään syksyllä]. Turun Sanomat, 20 September 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2013-09-20}}</ref> However, it was later reported that Estonia decided not to purchase the vessel.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/Puolustusministeri%C3%B6+Viro+ei+osta+miinalaiva+Pohjanmaata/a1379642407409 Puolustusministeriö: Viro ei osta miinalaiva Pohjanmaata]. Helsingin Sanomat, 20 September 2013.{{retrieved|accessdate=2013-09-20}}</ref> Some interest was also expressed by the [[Croatian Navy]] whose representatives even came to Finland to inspect the vessel.<ref name="scrap" /> The Finnish towing and salvage company [[Alfons Håkans]] also offered to buy the vessel, but was declined.<ref>[http://www.ts.fi/uutiset/talous/837338/Pohjanmaasta+oli+tehty+tarjous+rahat+eivat+kelvanneet+valtiolle Pohjanmaasta oli tehty tarjous, rahat eivät kelvanneet valtiolle]. Turun Sanomat, 21 December 2015. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-12-21}}</ref>
When ''Pohjanmaa'' was decommissioned, it was stated that the vessel would be either sold or scrapped if a sufficient buyer is not found.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130712232729/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/kotimaa/art-1288581006146.html Miinalaiva Pohjanmaa laitettiin myyntiin]. Ilta-Sanomat, 9 July 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2013-07-10}}</ref> In September 2013, it was reported that the [[Estonian Navy]] was interested in purchasing the vessel.<ref>[https://www.ts.fi/uutiset/537026 Viro kiinnostui miinalaiva Pohjanmaasta – neuvotteluja käydään syksyllä] . Turun Sanomat, 20 September 2013. {{retrieved|accessdate=2013-09-20}}</ref> However, it was later reported that Estonia decided not to purchase the vessel.<ref>[http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/Puolustusministeri%C3%B6+Viro+ei+osta+miinalaiva+Pohjanmaata/a1379642407409 Puolustusministeriö: Viro ei osta miinalaiva Pohjanmaata]. Helsingin Sanomat, 20 September 2013.{{retrieved|accessdate=2013-09-20}}</ref> Some interest was also expressed by the [[Croatian Navy]] whose representatives even came to Finland to inspect the vessel.<ref name="scrap" /> The Finnish towing and salvage company [[Alfons Håkans]] also offered to buy the vessel, but was declined.<ref>[https://www.ts.fi/uutiset/837338 Pohjanmaasta oli tehty tarjous, rahat eivät kelvanneet valtiolle]. Turun Sanomat, 21 December 2015. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-12-21}}</ref>


On 18 December 2015, it was announced that ''Pohjanmaa'' would be sold for scrap. The vessel would be broken up in Finland and the operation, which was expected to begin in March 2016, would cost about 248,100 euro. The engines and some equipment would be sold to cover part of the expenses.<ref name="scrap">[http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/a1450417294711 Puolustusvoimat romuttaa miinalaiva Pohjanmaan]. Helsingin Sanomat, 18 December 2015. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-12-18}}</ref> However, in March 2016 it was reported that the scrapping has been cancelled and the vessel will be sold to [[Meritaito]], the Finnish state-owned shipping company that owns and operates fairway support vessels. The vessel was stripped of her armament and converted to a survey vessel at [[Western Shipyard]] in [[Salo, Finland]], according to plans drawn by the Finnish design company ILS Oy.<ref>[http://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/2016031521271363_uu.shtml Miinalaiva Pohjanmaata ei romuteta]. Iltalehti, 15 March 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2016-03-15}}</ref>
On 18 December 2015, it was announced that ''Pohjanmaa'' would be sold for scrap. The vessel would be broken up in Finland and the operation, which was expected to begin in March 2016, would cost about 248,100 euro. The engines and some equipment would be sold to cover part of the expenses.<ref name="scrap">[http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/a1450417294711 Puolustusvoimat romuttaa miinalaiva Pohjanmaan]. Helsingin Sanomat, 18 December 2015. {{retrieved|accessdate=2015-12-18}}</ref> However, in March 2016 it was reported that the scrapping has been cancelled and the vessel will be sold to [[Meritaito]], the Finnish state-owned shipping company that owns and operates [[Fairway (navigation)|fairway]] support vessels. The vessel was stripped of her armament and converted to a survey vessel at [[Western Shipyard]] in [[Salo, Finland]], according to plans drawn by the Finnish design company ILS Oy.<ref>[https://www.iltalehti.fi/uutiset/a/2016031521271363 Miinalaiva Pohjanmaata ei romuteta]. Iltalehti, 15 March 2016. {{retrieved|accessdate=2016-03-15}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 08:14, 16 November 2024

This article is about a minelayer that was in service in 1979–2013. For the upcoming class of surface combatants of the same name, see Pohjanmaa-class corvette.
FNS Pohjanmaa
FNS Pohjanmaa
History
Finland
NamePohjanmaa
OperatorFinnish Navy
Ordered1977
BuilderWärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard
Yard number421
Laid down4 May 1978
Launched28 August 1978
Commissioned8 June 1979
DecommissionedLate 2013
HomeportUpinniemi
Identification
FateDecommissioned and sold to private company
Finland
NamePohjanmeri
NamesakeFinnish for North Sea
OwnerMeritaito
Port of registryHelsinki
AcquiredApril 2016
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics (2007 refit)
TypeMinelayer
Displacement1,450 tonnes
Length78.6 m (258 ft)
Beam11.2 m (37 ft)
Draught3.3 m (11 ft)
Ice class1A
Installed power
  • 2 × Wärtsilä Vasa 16V22
  • 4,280 kW (5,740 hp) (combined)
PropulsionTwo shafts; controllable-pitch propellers
Speed18–19 knots (33–35 km/h; 21–22 mph)
Range3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km; 4,000 mi)
Complement70 (120 when acting as a training ship)
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Decoy: Philax chaff and IR flares
  • ESM: Argo Systems radar warning system
Armament

Pohjanmaa is a former minelayer of the Finnish Navy. The sole member of her class, she was the flagship of the Finnish Navy as well as the largest naval ship in service in Finland until 2013. The ship has a Finnish-Swedish ice class 1A so she can operate all year round. During a crisis, the main task for Pohjanmaa would have been mine laying and acting as a command ship. She also acted as a school ship for the Naval Academy cadets. Part of their training includes an annual cruise abroad.

The 34-year-old Pohjanmaa was scheduled for decommissioning in late 2013. In October 2013, minelayer Hämeenmaa took over the role of flagship of the Finnish Navy.[2]

Pohjanmaa was sold to the Finnish company Meritaito in 2016 and refitted as a survey vessel. She was renamed Pohjanmeri, Finnish for the North Sea.[3]

History

[edit]
Pohjanmaa in 1993 before modernization with original armament

Pohjanmaa was built in 1979 at the Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard, Finland. Her initial main armament consisted of a Bofors 120 mm Automatic Gun L/46.

Pohjanmaa first served as a school ship for the Naval Academy until 1992 when she was transferred to the Gulf of Finland Fleet (Now called Gulf of Finland Naval Command). When she was completed, she replaced the minelayer Ruotsinsalmi and as a school ship, Matti Kurki. On 10 May 1982, she was given the traditional shield of ocean faring vessels previously held by Suomen Joutsen, so in effect Pohjanmaa continues the tradition of the three ships. The ship underwent a heavy modernization program in 1996–1998, which included a replacing her Bofors 120 mm L/46 main gun with a more modern dual-purpose Bofors 57 mm Naval Automatic Gun L/70.

The annual training cruise for the cadets has taken the ship as far as Belém, Brazil. The accommodation capacity of the vessel for the long range cruises can be increased with accommodation containers.

On 28 June 2005, as part of their cruise, Pohjanmaa participated in the International Fleet Review which is a part of the Trafalgar 200 celebrations.

In 2007, the ship was refitted together with the Hämeenmaa-class minelayers and her colour scheme changed from camouflage to light grey. Her second aft gun was also removed from the aft deck due to narrow shooting sectors, which were even further narrowed due to a new bigger hydraulic crane of a new seaboat.

In 2010, it was decided that the Pohjanmaa would participate in Operation Atalanta in 2011. On 6 April 2011, Pohjanmaa captured a vessel suspected as pirate mothership along with two speedboats. The search onboard revealed assault rifles, RPGs and other weapons. Eighteen of the suspected pirates were incarcerated onboard Pohjanmaa.[4] Since the Prosecutor General of Finland decided not to prosecute, the pirates were transferred to the jurisdiction of Operation Atalanta, which later released the pirates. The pirate ship and the speedboats were scuttled at sea.

Naming

[edit]

Pohjanmaa was christened on 8 June 1979 by Aili Haapkylä. The name comes from the Swedish-built pojamas of the 1770s — see "Pohjanmaa (disambiguation)" for other uses of the name.

The vessel has been nicknamed Puuhamaa by the Finnish Navy conscripts after the Finnish amusement park.

Replacement

[edit]

Despite modernizations, the over 30-year-old Pohjanmaa reached the end of her operational lifespan in the mid-2010s and the minelayer was decommissioned in late 2013.[5] She will be replaced by the next generation's surface combatant, bigger than the current missile boats and more capable for international co-operation.[6] In addition to Pohjanmaa, the new class of multi-purpose naval vessels—dubbed MTA2020 (Monitoimialus 2020) in the preliminary papers—is intended to replace also Hämeenmaa-class minelayers and Rauma-class missile boats as they are retired.[7]

When Pohjanmaa was decommissioned, it was stated that the vessel would be either sold or scrapped if a sufficient buyer is not found.[8] In September 2013, it was reported that the Estonian Navy was interested in purchasing the vessel.[9] However, it was later reported that Estonia decided not to purchase the vessel.[10] Some interest was also expressed by the Croatian Navy whose representatives even came to Finland to inspect the vessel.[11] The Finnish towing and salvage company Alfons Håkans also offered to buy the vessel, but was declined.[12]

On 18 December 2015, it was announced that Pohjanmaa would be sold for scrap. The vessel would be broken up in Finland and the operation, which was expected to begin in March 2016, would cost about 248,100 euro. The engines and some equipment would be sold to cover part of the expenses.[11] However, in March 2016 it was reported that the scrapping has been cancelled and the vessel will be sold to Meritaito, the Finnish state-owned shipping company that owns and operates fairway support vessels. The vessel was stripped of her armament and converted to a survey vessel at Western Shipyard in Salo, Finland, according to plans drawn by the Finnish design company ILS Oy.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pohjanmeri (4542642)". Equasis. Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
  2. ^ Miinalaiva Pohjanmaa jätti hyvästinsä torstaina - katso video. Ilta-Sanomat, 23 August 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  3. ^ Pohjanmaasta tuli m/s Pohjanmeri – työt odottavat Barentsinmerellä . Turun Sanomat, 12 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
  4. ^ "Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Foreign". Archived from the original on 2011-04-11. Retrieved 2011-04-08. Article in the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat
  5. ^ Miinalaiva Pohjanmaata ja satoja paseja uhkaa viimeinen käyttöpäivä. Tekniikka & Talous, 31 August 2011.
  6. ^ Merten mittaajat Archived 2011-01-17 at the Wayback Machine. Ruotuväki, 10/08.
  7. ^ Hallituksen esitys 12/2010. FINLEX.
  8. ^ Miinalaiva Pohjanmaa laitettiin myyntiin. Ilta-Sanomat, 9 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  9. ^ Viro kiinnostui miinalaiva Pohjanmaasta – neuvotteluja käydään syksyllä . Turun Sanomat, 20 September 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  10. ^ Puolustusministeriö: Viro ei osta miinalaiva Pohjanmaata. Helsingin Sanomat, 20 September 2013.Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  11. ^ a b Puolustusvoimat romuttaa miinalaiva Pohjanmaan. Helsingin Sanomat, 18 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
  12. ^ Pohjanmaasta oli tehty tarjous, rahat eivät kelvanneet valtiolle. Turun Sanomat, 21 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  13. ^ Miinalaiva Pohjanmaata ei romuteta. Iltalehti, 15 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-15.
[edit]

Media related to Pohjanmaa (ship, 1978) at Wikimedia Commons

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