R-class patrol boat

Last updated

Patrol Boat 55 in Tampere May2010.jpg
Former patrol boat Röyttä in private ownership
Class overview
NameR class
General characteristics
Type Patrol boat
Displacement
  • 51, 52: 90 tons, 110 tons full load
  • 53, 54, 55: 110 tons, 130 tons full load
Length
  • 51, 52: 31.1 m (102 ft)
  • 53, 54, 55: 33.0 m (108.3 ft)
Beam
  • 51, 52: 5.7 m (19 ft)
  • 53, 54, 55: 5.5 m (18 ft)
Draught1.8 m (5.9 ft)
Propulsion
  • 51, 52: 2 × Mercedes-Benz Diesel; 1,044 kW (1,400 hp)
  • 53, 54, 55: 2 × Mercedes-Benz Diesel; 1,864 kW (2,500 hp)
Speed
  • 51, 52: 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
  • 53, 54, 55: 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Crew20
Armament
  • 1 × 40 mm Bofors
  • 1 × 20 mm Madsen
  • 1 × Squid ASW mortar
NotesShips in class include: Rymättylä (51), Rihtniemi (52), Ruissalo (53), Raisio (54), Röyttä (55)

The R-class patrol boats was a class of Finnish patrol boats, originally constructed as coastal minesweepers. They were modified into patrol boats by the end of the 1960s and transferred to the Patrol Flotilla and later to the 7th Missile Flotilla. They were then used for sea patrol and as anti-submarine warfare vessels. They were stricken from the Finnish Navy list in the 1990s. The three later vessels, Ruissalo, Raisio and Röyttä, were somewhat larger and the vessels are therefore sometimes referred to as the Rihtniemi and Ruissalo classes. However, the Finnish Navy used the designation R class for all five vessels.

Contents

The R class was much liked in the Finnish Navy, due to their low fuel consumption and their good seagoing qualities. They were in principle unsinkable (the vessels could have a list of 115 degrees without sinking and still return to upright position).

Vessels of the class

Roytta, now known as Vartiovene 55, in her current home port Helsinki. Vartiovene 55 from the side.jpg
Röyttä, now known as Vartiovene 55, in her current home port Helsinki.

Operators