Stamp issues for the Icelandic Coast Guard 75’th Anniversary.
The Icelandic Coast Guard was formally established on July 1st 1926. At that time Icelandic State Authorities assumed the responsibility of managing the coast guard vessel THOR.
Prior to this date the Icelandic State had managed certain matters relating to the protection of Icelandic territorial waters.
However, managing its own coast guard vessel was a turning point in the affairs of the Icelandic governmental authority. The main function of the Icelandic Coast Guard is to police and protect Icelandic territorial waters provide aid and assistance in medical transport and rescue operations. It also plays a uniquely vital role in times of natural disasters when normal transportation and communications break down. It is an important part of civil defences, and functions in capacities of law enforcement, customs and lighthouses while also engaging in hydrographic research.
The Coast Guard now has three vessels at its disposal: ODIN, ÆGIR and TYR.
The ship depicted on the stamp commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Coast Guard is TYR. Also depicted on the stamp are the Coast Guard’s Fokker 27 airplane TF-SYN and its Super Puma helicopter, LIF.
TYR was built for the Government of Iceland (Landhelgisgaesla-Coast Guard), Reykjavik by Aarhus Flytedock & Mask. A/S, Aarhus Denmark under yard No 159.
10 October 1974 launched under the name TYR named after the god of the sea.
Displacement 1.300 standard, 1.500 ton full load. (1.143 gross, 1.143 net, 343 dwt.) Dim. 70.15 x 10.11 x 5.9m.
Powered by two MAN/B&W, oil 4SA each 8-cyl. 13.200 hp., speed 20 knots. Two controllable pitch propellers.
Range 9.000 miles at 18 knots.
Armament; One Bofors 40mm gun. One helicopter platform for a light helicopter. Hangar between the funnels.
Crew 19.
15 March 1975 commissioned.
She was one of the AEGIR class. The ICG has three cutters each equipped with a hangar and facilities for one small helicopter. The Hughes 500 and Ecureuil have been regularly flown from these vessels.
TYR and her sister AEGIR were built 10 years apart, but they are nearly identical. Another ship the ODIN, also a near sister-ship, was built in 1960.
The flagship is TYR. The ICG previously operated another ship called THOR, which is now used as a sailor safety school by Slysavarnafelag Islands, the Icelandic Sea rescue. They are all named after Nordic gods. Aegir, god of fear; Odin, god of gods; and Thor god of thunder.
1994 A crane was fitted on the starboard side at the forward end of the flight deck.
1997 Her flight deck extended.
2008 Given by http://www.equasis.org ; IMO No 7358420. Call Sign TFGA.
Iceland 2001 20gr letter mail sg?, scott?
Source Jane’s 2003. Watercraft Philately Vol. 47 page 68. http://www.postur.is/cgi-bin/hsrun/Dist ... vHw6mzc_Oh