Danish Patrol Vessels: MHV900-class

Whilst we were in Copenhagen last year, there were a number of warships in and around the Langelinie area where our ship was docked.

One of these was the MHV900-class patrol vessel Hvidsteen (MHV907).

She is one of the twelve vessels that make up the class, the others being:

• Enø (MHV901)
• Manø (MHV902)
• Hjortø (MHV903)
• Lyø (MHV904)
• Askø (MHV905)
• Fænø (MHV906)
• Brigaden (MHV908)
• Speditøren (MHV909)
• Ringen (MHV910)
• Bopa (MHV911)
• Holger Danske (MHV912)

Although they are listed as in some sources as being ships of the Royal Danish Navy, they are actually operated by the Naval Home Guard (Marinehjemmeværnet). This organisation is commanded by a Captain of the Royal Danish Navy who is supported by small number of full-time professional personnel. The bulk of the members are volunteer part-timers, who are serve in one of the thirty-seven Municipal Naval Home Guard Flotillas.

The role of the Naval Home Guard includes:

• The protection of naval installations
• Patrolling Danish territorial waters
• Carrying out Search and Rescue missions
• Supporting scientific research undertaken by Danish universities
• Providing vessels for police and customs operations
• Supporting the training of other military units

The characteristics of the MHV900-class are:

• Displacement: 87 tonnes
• Dimensions:
• Length: 27.2m
• Beam: 5.6m
• Draught: 2.5m
• Propulsion: 2 x Scania 500 bhp diesel engines
• Speed: 13 knots
• Complement: 12
• Armament: 2 x MG 3 Machine Guns
• Other equipment: 2 x 180m float locks to help prevent the spread of oil pollution; several fire pumps and a fire fighting water cannon