SHIRASE (AGB 5003) icebreaker
Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 8:00 pm
Built as an icebreaker by Universal Shipbuilding Corp., Maizuru, Japan, for the Japan Government, Yokosuka District Force.
Operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
15 March 2007 laid down.
16 April 2008 launched as the SHIRASE (AGB 5003)
Displacement: 12,650 ton standard, 22,000 full load, dim. 138.0 x 28.0 x 9.2m. (draught), length bpp. 126.0m.
Powered: Diesel electric by four propulsion motors, 22,000 kW (30,000 hp) (combined)
Two shafts; fixed-pitch propellers, speed 19.5 knots (maximum), 3 knots in 1.5 m. ice.
Crew 179 and 80 scientists.
Cargo capacity for about 1,100 tons.
Armament: Howa type 64 9 mm pistol, 2 MG CH-101, and 1 MG AS355.
Carried three helicopters.
20 May 2009 commissioned. The building cost 37.6 billion Yen. Homeport Yokosuka. IMO No 4575015.
SHIRASE (しらせ) is a Japanese icebreaker operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and is Japan's fourth icebreaker for Antarctic expeditions. She inherited her name from her predecessor.
She was launched in April 2008 and commissioned in May 2009 with the hull number AGB-5003. She began her first voyage on 10 November 2009.
Name
In Japanese, the name "SHIRASE" is written in hiragana. Due to a JMSDF internal naming rule, an icebreaker must be named after a place. Accordingly, SHIRASE was named after the Shirase Glacier. This glacier bears the family name of Lieutenant Nobu Shirase, a Japanese pioneer in Antarctic exploration.
Operations
In February 2013, the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claimed the SHIRASE was sent to monitor its interference with the Japanese cetacean research fleet. However, according to the National Institute of Polar Research, the icebreaker was in fact far to the west off the coast of Antarctica near the Showa Base, at the time. The Japanese government subsequently confirmed that the vessel was not involved in any operation related to the whaling program and that Sea Shepherd's claims were "completely fake".
On 17 February 2014, the SHIRASE ran aground just off the unmanned Molodyozhnaya Station in Antarctica. While the outer hull was penetrated, the vessel was in no danger of sinking and no fuel oil leakage was reported.
On August 17, 2017, a CH-101 helicopter of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force assigned to the SHIRASE crashed at Iwakuni Air Base in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Four crew members were injured.
2022 In active service.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_ ... (AGB-5003)
South African Republic 2019 900f sg?, Scott?
Togo 2021 800F sg?, Scott?
Central African Republic 2021 850 FCFA sg?, Scott? The AGB 5106 is wrong on the bow is clearly visible 5003.
Operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
15 March 2007 laid down.
16 April 2008 launched as the SHIRASE (AGB 5003)
Displacement: 12,650 ton standard, 22,000 full load, dim. 138.0 x 28.0 x 9.2m. (draught), length bpp. 126.0m.
Powered: Diesel electric by four propulsion motors, 22,000 kW (30,000 hp) (combined)
Two shafts; fixed-pitch propellers, speed 19.5 knots (maximum), 3 knots in 1.5 m. ice.
Crew 179 and 80 scientists.
Cargo capacity for about 1,100 tons.
Armament: Howa type 64 9 mm pistol, 2 MG CH-101, and 1 MG AS355.
Carried three helicopters.
20 May 2009 commissioned. The building cost 37.6 billion Yen. Homeport Yokosuka. IMO No 4575015.
SHIRASE (しらせ) is a Japanese icebreaker operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and is Japan's fourth icebreaker for Antarctic expeditions. She inherited her name from her predecessor.
She was launched in April 2008 and commissioned in May 2009 with the hull number AGB-5003. She began her first voyage on 10 November 2009.
Name
In Japanese, the name "SHIRASE" is written in hiragana. Due to a JMSDF internal naming rule, an icebreaker must be named after a place. Accordingly, SHIRASE was named after the Shirase Glacier. This glacier bears the family name of Lieutenant Nobu Shirase, a Japanese pioneer in Antarctic exploration.
Operations
In February 2013, the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claimed the SHIRASE was sent to monitor its interference with the Japanese cetacean research fleet. However, according to the National Institute of Polar Research, the icebreaker was in fact far to the west off the coast of Antarctica near the Showa Base, at the time. The Japanese government subsequently confirmed that the vessel was not involved in any operation related to the whaling program and that Sea Shepherd's claims were "completely fake".
On 17 February 2014, the SHIRASE ran aground just off the unmanned Molodyozhnaya Station in Antarctica. While the outer hull was penetrated, the vessel was in no danger of sinking and no fuel oil leakage was reported.
On August 17, 2017, a CH-101 helicopter of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force assigned to the SHIRASE crashed at Iwakuni Air Base in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Four crew members were injured.
2022 In active service.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_ ... (AGB-5003)
South African Republic 2019 900f sg?, Scott?
Togo 2021 800F sg?, Scott?
Central African Republic 2021 850 FCFA sg?, Scott? The AGB 5106 is wrong on the bow is clearly visible 5003.