So what is happening (since my December 8, 2018 article) with Norwegian frigate Helge Ingstad? Poor Helge came off worse in a collision with a tanker. Then Helge sank on November 8, 2018. Helge was raised and transported to Norway’s main Haakonsvern naval base in February/March 2019. On seeing Helge in dock initial observations include an April 15, 2019, English language report:
after 3 months underwater Helge’s “electronics, electrical equipment, fixtures and weapons systems are all ruined by saltwater contamination and would need replacing. Coupled with the costs of repairing the hull, bringing Helge Ingstad back into service may not be worth it.”
There being few subsequent reports in English I turned to the the Norwegian language media, translated them and summaries are:
A Norwegian source reports April 19, 2019 that the Norwegian inquiry into the collision-sinking may take 6 months due to the possibility of police proceedings and that radar, other navigation and communication systems/records need to be reviewed. [Pete Comment: I also suspect that the political imperative of forming a committee to finally report long after the shocking event, plays a part... Also the quality of Helge's Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia, and subsequent modifications may need assessing.]
According to a Norwegian April 23, 2019 source based on the Norwegian Armed Forced Annual Report the Helge Ingstad salvage cost the equivalent of US$84 million. Helge Ingstad was bought for US$496 million in 2000-2009 but following the sinking it has depreciated by US$254 million. Norway is weighing up whether to:
- return Helge to operations
- retain it for spare parts to cannibalise for Norway's other frigates, and/or
- sell the hull for scrap.
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How low poor Helge sank when she settled to the bottom, 5 days later, on November 13, 2018. (Courtesy Norwegian source)
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Helge Ingstad today? Damage partly covered to stop her from sinking, again. Maybe moored at Norway’s Haakonsvern naval base (Photo courtesy twitter).
A Norwegian source reports April 19, 2019 that the Norwegian inquiry into the collision-sinking may take 6 months due to the possibility of police proceedings and that radar, other navigation and communication systems/records need to be reviewed. [Pete Comment: I also suspect that the political imperative of forming a committee to finally report long after the shocking event, plays a part... Also the quality of Helge's Spanish shipbuilder, Navantia, and subsequent modifications may need assessing.]
According to a Norwegian April 23, 2019 source based on the Norwegian Armed Forced Annual Report the Helge Ingstad salvage cost the equivalent of US$84 million. Helge Ingstad was bought for US$496 million in 2000-2009 but following the sinking it has depreciated by US$254 million. Norway is weighing up whether to:
- return Helge to operations
- retain it for spare parts to cannibalise for Norway's other frigates, and/or
- sell the hull for scrap.
Helge Ingstad damage just after it semi-sank on November 8, 2018
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By mid-late 2019 the committee might report.
Pete