SVALBARD (W303)

[aukepalmhof]

The Norway Post has the following info by this sheet: http://www.posten.no/Portal/English/Nor ... Programme/

The International Polar Year 2007-2008 is co-sponsored by the International Council of Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The IPY is envisioned as the dawn of a new era for multidisciplinary and international polar research. The research will cover both Polar Regions and identify links between these regions and the rest of the globe. Norway is the only country that manages areas in both the Arctic and the Antarctic, in view of Norway’s long traditions as a polar nation and a high-quality polar research community the Norwegian authorities are keen for Norway to participate actively in this international cooperation.

During the Polar Year, substantial resources will be devoted to meteorology and climate research. The scientists aim to find the connections between ongoing climate change and natural phenomena such as the Gulf Stream. If they succeed long-range weather forecasts will become more reliable. Other projects address concerns such as contaminants and animal health.
Researchers at the Norway Polar institute have found indications that high contaminant levels are reducing the polar bear’s survival and reproductive abilities. Other researchers report similar problems among the indigenous populations in the Arctic whose diet (like that of the polar bears) is dominated by sea mammals. This shows how important it is to survey and monitor the natural environment in the Polar Regions.

The Norwegian Arctic (Svalbard and Jan Mayen) is one of the last relatively untouched wildernesses in the world. It is characterized by an extreme climate where nature needs more time to repair damage caused by human intervention. The Norwegian authorities feel a special responsibility to manage this area in such a way that it will remain one of the world’s best-preserved wildernesses.

Norwegian scientists are also participating in a number of IPY projects in Antarctica, the coldest windiest and driest continent in the world 99% is covered by an ice sheet with an average thickness of about 2000 meters. Low solar radiation and high elevation make for very low temperatures in the higher regions the average winter temperature is -70º C while in summer it is -40º C. The coastal areas are milder with -25º C in the winter and -2º C in the summer.
In 1983 Russia Vostok Station in West Antarctic recorded a temperature of -89.6º C the lowest ever recorded anywhere in the world. The Antarctic has 91% of the world’s total ice mass and 86% of its fresh water in the form of ice. If the ice were to melt the oceans of the world would rise by more than 60 meters.


The vessel depict on this ms of Norway issued in 2007, depict the SVALBARD

Built as an icebreaker and offshore patrol vessel under yard no 124? by Tangen Værft in Kragerø, Norway for the Norwegian Coast Guard.
Completed under yard No 182 by Aker Langsten AS at Tomrefjord.
? Laid down.
17 February 2001 launched as SVALBARD (W303).
Tonnage 6.500 ton full load, dim. 103.7 x 19.1 x 8.3m., length bpp. 89m., draught 6.5m.
Diesel-electric; by four x 3390 Kw. BRG-8 diesel generators, who give power to two 5 MW Azipod electric motors, speed 17.5 knots,
Armament: 1 – 57mm Bofors gun.
Crew 48 and helicopter crew, has also accommodation for 75 people.
Ice strengthen, she can break the ice with a thickness of 1 meter, or towing ships up to 100.000 tons.
Fitted out with a helideck and hangar for two helicopters, but carries only one Lynx helicopter.
15 December 2001 christened in Tomrefjord by Kristin Krohn Devold, Norway Minister of Defence.
18 January 2002 delivered to the Norwegian Coast Guard.
Mid 2002 commissioned. Based in Sortland, Norway. Building cost NOK 575 million.

She is the first Norwegian Coast Guard vessel with icebreaking capabilities.
Can be used as a fire fighting and rescue vessel.
Her primary operating area is in the Arctic waters north of Norway, the Barents Sea, and around the Svalbard Island.

2007 Still in service.

Norway 2007 13.00Kr. sg?, Scott?
Niger 2017 800f sg ?, Scott?
Maldives 2019 20MVR sg?, Scott?
Togo 2021 MVR 20, sg?, Scott?

Source: Some websites under which http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoCGV_Svalbard