September 26, 2008

HAVFRUEN is the name:

Third new Patrol Vessel named in a Ceremony at the Naval Base in Korsør

Thursday September 25, 2008 was the day for the naming of the latest patrol boat in The Royal Danish Navy.

The HAVFRUEN is being named at the naval base in Korsør.
(Photo: Johnny E. Balsved)

By Johnny E. Balsved

Thursday September 25, 2008 was the day for the naming of the latest patrol boat in The Royal Danish Navy. The new boat is the third in the series of six new patrol boats of the DIANA Class, which while in the project period was called "Standardfartøj Mk II" (Standard vessel Mk II).

The new patrol boat was named HAVFRUEN ("The Mermaid") by the Permanent Secretary of State for Defence, Lars Finsen, in the traditional ceremony with participation of representatives from building yard and representatives of Danish Defence.

It is among the traditions in the Royal Danish Navy that men, or female holders of public office, name the navy's ships. Another tradition is that the name of the ship is kept as a secret until the actual naming ceremony. Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization are the "owners" of the ship at this stage, having ordered it from yard and accepted it from same. After the naming, HDMS HAVFRUEN was handed over to Defence Command, which in turn handed the new ship over to Naval Operational Command, on this day represented by Admiral Danish Fleet's chief of staff, commodore Henrik Andersen, who in turn orders the CO of HDMS HAVFRUEN to hoist his sign of command – the naval pennant. Name revealed before time To many of those present the name of the new patrol boats was no secret, as a number of people are involved in the process, production of coat of arms etc. etc. But this time because of modern technology there was a few more that were "in the know".

The sign of command, the naval pennant is hoisted. (Photo: Johnny E. Balsved)

Ships of the Royal Danish Navy are all equipped with AIS (Automatic Identification System), which primarily is a civilian automatic identification system that basically makes it possible to identify other ships and information of them in electronic charts, or on a radar screen, both ashore and on other ships. Name, international call sign, course, speed, draught, displacement, destination and cargo can be shown.

The information is transmitted on the VHF band. The information is recorded ashore and can, among other things, be used in accident investigations.

In connection with the first sea trials outside the builders port of Faaborg, a yachtsman who only knew the new building as P522, both had it visual and on his own AIS as: "Date: 12-08, KL. 20.00; Name: HAVFRUEN, Call Sign: OVFC". - Those who were "in the know" let the Permanent Secretary of State for Defence reveal the name. New Coat of Arms During the ceremony the ships coat of arms was dedicated – This gave a variation to tradition. Normally a coat of arms is identical to previous ships with the same name, but since the coat of arms of the previous HDMS HAVFRUEN of the DAPHNE Class of seaward Defense crafts was common to the class, a new had been made and approved by HM The Queen. Usually the coat of arms is displayed on the front of the superstructure, but since the DIANA Class has this front at a very inclined angel – the coat of arms is placed on the side of the funnel that is towards the quay, in the same manner as on the HOLM Class.

The new coat of arms for the HAVFRUEN. (Photo: Johnny E. Balsved)

The 11th HAVFRUE (Mermaid)

HAVFRUEN is eleventh ship to carry the name in the navy, since it was first used on a small frigate in 1563; the name has been used for many different types of ships:

1563-1572	Small Frigate / pinke (renamed 1572, decommissioned 1577)
1572	Rowing Jakt
1666-1718	Jakt / unrated man o war
1702-1738	Ship of the line
1762-1790	Frigate
1790-1807	Frigate (Stolen by the English)
1827-1865	Frigate
1912-1932	Submarine
1937-1943	Submarine (Scuttled by crew in floating dock 08/29 at Holmen)
1961-1991	Seaward Defense Craft

The seaward defense craft HAVFRUEN (1961-1991) was the latest ship to carry the name.
(Photo: Royal Danish Navy)

Fourth unit will follow soon

Now it's time for the crew to start work up for operational service. In a few months an official visit to Nyborg on the island of Fyn (Funen) is planned. Nyborg will be the adoptive city of the patrol boat.

Delivery and naming of HAVFRUEN has marked that the building of the DIANA Class is half way through the total of six new units.

The fourth unit, P523, is at the moment under final fit out in the yard in Faaborg and is expected to be delivered to Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization in October. It will then be sailed to Naval Station for final fit of naval equipment. It is expected that the naming will take place Tuesday November 25.

Translated by Lars-Henrik Arvedsen

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4HAVFRUEN is the name - 09/26/2008

4Second Mk II received - 04/14/2008

4New class of vessels named - 12/12/2007

4First Mk II received - 11/07/2007

4First Mk II Hull delivered - 08/01/2006

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This page was first published: September 26, 2008 (November 10, 2008)

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