Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Turva

On October 10, 2023, the 'Turva', a dedicated patrol ship, began an investigation into the unexplained damage to the Balticconnector gas pipeline, which occurred on October 8 at 2 a.m. This pipeline, located at the seabed of the Gulf of Finland, facilitates gas flow between Finland and Estonia. Authorities are still examining whether the leak resulted from sabotage or an accidental incident, with an estimated repair timeframe of five months. Early findings from the investigation included a small seismic tremor detected by seismologists, whose readings indicated a magnitude roughly corresponding to one on the Richter scale. This tremor is significantly less intense than the explosions that affected the Nord Stream pipelines. The responsible source of the tremor remains uncertain; however, it is evident that there is damage to the underwater gas line, likely due to external factors. Charly Salonius-Pasternak, a researcher with the Finnish Institute for Foreign Policy, highlighted the limited list of nations that could potentially possess the intent and capability for such actions, pointing specifically to Russia. Notably, a Russian vessel was reported to be in proximity to the pipeline during the weekend of October 7-8. In response to Finland's NATO membership in April, which Moscow viewed as a provocation, the Kremlin announced forthcoming reactions. Norwegian seismologists suggested that the pipeline could have been struck by a ship's anchor, which may have caused the tremor through either a direct mechanical impact or an explosion. In light of these developments, NATO expressed its commitment to supporting the investigation into the incident affecting the critical infrastructure of its member states. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated: 'If it turns out that this was a deliberate attack on NATO's critical infrastructure, then that would result in a united and decisive response from NATO.' However, the investigative process regarding the leak is expected to be extensive.

STX Finland Oy’s Rauma Shipyard has officially handed over the cutting-edge patrol vessel, TURVA, to the Finnish Border Guard. Spanning 96 meters in length and 17 meters in width, the TURVA is set to operate within the Gulf of Finland, maintaining a busy schedule of 300 operational days each year. This state-of-the-art vessel is designed for a variety of mission-critical functions including frontier supervision, maritime search and rescue (SAR), environmental monitoring, oil spill response in open waters, and collaboration with other agencies. The TURVA is equipped with three Wartsila 34DF engines, allowing for dual fuel operations utilizing both Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), making it an eco-friendly solution with low emission footprints. Capable of supporting auxiliary ships and helicopters, the TURVA excels in navigating the often challenging weather and visibility conditions typical of the Baltic Sea. Its hull and systems are meticulously engineered for optimal seaworthiness and reliability, ensuring performance under even the most extreme circumstances. The vessel boasts a spacious working deck alongside a sophisticated oil recovery system, with high-capacity tanks designed for storing collected oil, which extends its operational endurance. Additionally, TURVA is equipped to execute oil spill response missions during severe weather and winter conditions, as well as providing critical assistance in the event of serious chemical incidents.