Port Authority rescue ship Šakiai was transferred

On the 26th of February 2009 Hand-over-Take-over Act was signed at Harbour Master`s Office in the Port of Klaipeda (Lithuania) about the transfer of rescue ship Šakiai: Port Authority transferred this ship to Navy forces.
Following the Law on Maritime Safety and organization of Defence System and amendments to the Law on Military service that came into force since the 1st of January 2009, it is foreseen that state search and rescue function and oil spill collection will be fulfilled by Navy forces at sea; State Border Guard Coast Guard District – in the Curonian Lagoon;
Port Authority in port water territory. For this purpose the enterprise has got rescue cuter Žaibas.
Rescue ship Šakiai was transferred following the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No 98 of 4 February 2009, which came into force on the 20th of February 2009.
When rescue ship Šakiai was transferred, Port Authority still had 7 ships in its port fleet: divers` boats Rifas and Gelme, pilot cuters Smilte and Dange, rescue cuter Žaibas, hydrographic ship Rusne and tug boat Stumbras. Besides, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority is planning to purchase a dredger.
Ship Šakiai has served for more than 10 years (i.e. since 1998) for the port as a rescue ship. On the 16th of January 1998 during the official ceremony the flag of the Republic of Lithuania was hoisted there. The Minister of Transport and Communications at that time A. Zvaliauskas, member of the Seimas L. Andrikiene, Director General of the enterprise V. Greiciunas, Harbour Master N. Severincik took part at the ceremony. Vygantas Naujokas was appointed to be the Captain of this rescue ship and the crew was formed.
The main data of the rescue ship Šakiai:
Length – 50,61 m;
Beam – 10,5 m;
Draft – 4,8 m;
IMO Nr. 8727721;
Displacement – 1350 tons;
Main engine – 8 NVD 48A-2U;
Power 970 kW;
Year and place of building: 1986, Russia.
Fishing trawler Šakiai was built in Jaroslavlis shipyard (Russia) in 1986. Since the completion of construction up till 1994 this ship belonged to state fishing company of Lithuania „Jūra“, and it was used to catch fish in the Atlantic Ocean.
In order to execute search and rescue operations in the economic zone of Lithuania and collect oil spills, Port Authority bought middle fishing trawler Šakiai from the company „Jūra“ in 1994. Fleet engineering centre made the Project of reconstruction of this fishing trawler to a rescue ship. Reconstruction works went on for two years (i.e. from 1995 to 1997) and AB ”Klaipėdos laivu remontas“ did the reconstruction. On the 24th of December 1997 UAB Rusijos laivybos registras (ship register of Russia) issued ship documents for rescue ship Šakiai and on the 16th of January 1998 the flag of Lithuania was hoisted on this ship during the grand ceremony and since that time the ship Šakiai started to serve as a rescue ship in Klaipėda port.
On the 30th of January 1998 Šakiai sailed for its first rescue operation during the storm when 100 nautical miles West to Klaipėda due to stormy weather conditions in Estonian motorboat Kirre there budged timber and the ship dangerously heeled over. The Captain of the ship got permission to call Klaipėda port and rescue ship Šakiai went to convoy it.
Rescue ship took part in fighting fire in the port. The most important fire fighting operation was in May 4-9 2006, when centenary fire in Nerija raged – ship Šakiai berthed at an abandoned quay at Alksnyne and supplied with water. 9 000 m3 of water was pumped then. The Authority of the national park of the Curonian Spit expressed its gratitude for effective help in fighting the fire.
In 1998 ship Šakiai participated in the removal of some equipment of unclear origin for two times in the Baltic Sea and they were given to military people.
In 2001 the crew participated in oil spill collection operation at Butinge terminal.
In 2003 when the helicopter Mi-8 fell into the Baltic Sea, the crew of Šakiai salvaged 4 people. Each year the ship participates in international oil spill collection exercises Balex Delta, search and rescue exercises Baltic Eye and etc.
Port Authority rescue ship Šakiai equipped with all installations necessary for salvage of people and oil spill collection, booms as well as fire fighting equipments, helped in all cases when rescuing people, oil spill collections, fire fighting and others.

Source: Transportweekly