EML Olev (M415) is a Frauenlob-class minelayer

Minelayer

Minelaying is the act of deploying explosive mines. Historically this has been carried out by ships, submarines and aircraft. Additionally, since World War I the term minelayer refers specifically to a naval ship used for deploying naval mines...

 of the Estonian Navy

Estonian Navy

The Merevägi is the navy of Republic of Estonia and is part of the unified Kaitsevägi .In total, there are about four commissioned ships in the Estonian Navy, including three auxiliary ships; the displacement of the navy is under 10,000 tonnes making it one of the smallest navies in the world...

  Mineships Division

Estonian Mineships Division

The top priority for the Navy is the development of mine countermeasures capability that is also one of the Navy's peacetime responsibilities: during World War I and II more than 80 000 sea mines were laid in the Baltic Sea...

.

Introduction

The minelayer Olev is a vessel of the Estonian Navy Mineships Division and also the third modernized Frauenlob class minelayer. In 2003 a cooperation contract was signed between the Paldiski

Paldiski

Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the Pakri peninsula of north-western Estonia. Originally a Swedish settlement known as Rågervik, it became a Russian naval base in the 18th century. The Russians renamed it Балтийский Порт Paldiski is a town and Baltic Sea port situated on the...

 city council and the minelayer Olev which gave the vessel a right to wear the Paldiski town coat of arms

Coat of arms

A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...

 and to introduce the city in all foreign harbors across the world.

History

The Olev (M415) was built in West-Germany, in a Krogerwerft shipyard

Shipyard

Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...

 in Rendsburg

Rendsburg

Rendsburg is a town on the River Eider and the Kiel Canal in the northeastern part of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It is the capital of the Kreis of Rendsburg-Eckernförde. As of 2006, it had a population of 28,476.-History:...

. The vessel was launched on the 13 December 1966 and she entered service a year later on the 21 September 1967. The German Navy

German Navy

The German Navy is the navy of Germany and is part of the unified Bundeswehr .The German Navy traces its roots back to the Imperial Fleet of the revolutionary era of 1848 – 52 and more directly to the Prussian Navy, which later evolved into the Northern German Federal Navy...

 decommissioned Diana and two of her twin sisters Minerva

EML Kalev (M414)

EML Kalev was a Frauenlob-class minesweeper of the Estonian Navy and belonged into the Estonian Navy Mineships Division.-Introduction:...

 and Undine

EML Vaindlo (M416)

EML Vaindlo is a Frauenlob-class minelayer of the Estonian Navy and belongs into the Estonian Navy Mineships Division. The commanding officer of the vessel is Lieutenant Erkki Silm.-Introduction:...

in late 1990s and gave the vessels to the Estonian Navy to operate. On the ceremony the vessel received an Estonian name Olev.

External links

• Estonian Navy