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In Detail ———— Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) —— The Icelandic Coast Guard:   A Case Study for Smaller Patrol Vessels ————

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Coastal Patrol, Offshore Patrol, and Maritime Defence  –  September 2004 Maritime Security:  Iceland's Offshore Patrol Vessels – A Case-Study for Corvette-sized  (or Smaller)  OPVs Iceland's  Experience With  Smaller  OPVs Tiny Iceland might seem to be an odd choice for comparisons with Canadian requirements. Two factors make the Icelandic Coast Guard (Landhelgisgæsla Íslands) worth examining. Iceland's  Economic Exclusion Zone sits out in the middle of the North Atlantic – a tough operating environment which will  be shared by any Canadian OPV. The Landhelgisgæsla Íslands is also one of the few operators whose offshore patrol vessels have been tested 'in anger' – during Iceland's unfortunate 'Cod Wars' with Great Britain. Iceland's OPV fleet consists of  3 vessels: 2 sisterships, Týr and Ægir plus a slightly older ship, the V/s Óðinn. [1] All three Icelandic OPVs are broadly similar (the specifications are listed below) but V/s Óðinn is slightly smaller and less powerful. Most notable from a Canadian perspective is that these ships have a complement of less than 20 using 1960's technology. All three OPVs are diesel-powered and modestly armed (with a Bofors 40/60 Mk3). Armament is a secondary concern for OPVs if the 'Cod Wars' are anything to go by – during those fishery disputes, monitoring,  grappling,  boarding, and, on occasion,  ramming  were the order of the day. Icelandic OPVs using such techniques prevailed – the armaments advantage of the much larger British warships could never be brought to bear in a conflict which required public relations victories as much as protected resources. Obviously offshore patrol requires an approach quite distinct from the NATO-dominated plans that DND is used to. A corvette-sized vessel lightly equipped and with guns as an after-thought may not seem like a  "real warship" to Maritime Staff. And maybe that is a good thing. If the Canadian Forces adopt the OPV to secure Canada's EEZs, fresh thinking will have to accompany these new ships. Canada's 200 mile limit would  be well-served by a 21st Century version of  Iceland's OPVs. [ Update: V/s Óðinn was retired in 2006 with the intention of replacing this OPV with the Þór, a Chilean-built UT 512L. Despite Iceland's financial cruise, Þór was to be delivered in 2010. However, Þór was damaged in the Feb. 2010 earthquake.] [1] The Landhelgisgæsla Íslands' 20m-long M/s Baldur fast patrol boat but she was decommissioned (like most fast patrol boats, being unsuited to rough seas). Brief specifications for the 3 Icelandic offshore patrol vessels are listed below: •  V/s Týr: built 1975 (Denmark), 1200t, 71m long, 10m beam,  crew of 19+,  twin   3100kW (4300hp) MAN 8L40/54 diesels, armed with 1 x 40mm Bofors L/60 Mk3. •  V/s Ægir: built 1968 (Denmark), 1100t, 70m long, 10m beam, crew of 19+, twin   3100kW (4300hp) MAN 8L40/54 diesels, armed with 1 x 40mm Bofors L/60 Mk3. •  V/s Óðinn: built 1960 (Denmark), 910t, 64m long, 10m beam, crew of 18+, twin   2096kW (2850hp) B&W VBF 62 diesels, armed with 1 x 40mm Bofors L/60 Mk3. Also see:  Thetis and Nordkapp:  a Case for Frigate-Sized OPVs?