Barentshav-class offshore patrol vessel

The Barentshav class of offshore patrol vessels consists of three vessels powered by liquefied natural gas. Ordered for the Norwegian Coast Guard, their main tasks are EEZ patrol, fishery inspection, search and rescue as well as tug readiness along the shore of Norway which is seeing increasing traffic from tankers.

Design
The vessels are of the Vik-Sandvik design VS 794 CGV, and were built by Myklebust Verft and operated by Remøy Management on behalf of the Norwegian Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard expects a 90% decrease in Nitrogen oxide fume releases, and a 20% decrease in Carbon dioxide releases compared to a conventionally powered vessel of similar size.

The ships replace NoCGV Chieftain, NOCGV Tromsø and Stålbas. Stålbas lease contract expired at the end of 2006, Tromsøs on 20 March 2007, and Chieftain's at the end of 2007. NOCGV Barentshav was delivered in August 2009, Bergen in late 2009/early 2010 and Sortland in 2010.

The Barentshav class is equipped for the NATO Submarine Rescue System.