HNoMS Kvikk
Encyclopedia
HNoMS Kvikk (P984) was a Royal Norwegian Navy
Royal Norwegian Navy
The Royal Norwegian Navy is the branch of the Norwegian Defence Force responsible for naval operations. , the RNoN consists of approximately 3,700 personnel and 70 vessels, including 5 heavy frigates, 6 submarines, 14 patrol boats, 4 minesweepers, 4 minehunters, 1 mine detection vessel, 4 support...
fast patrol boat
Patrol boat
A patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
(FPB) of the Snøgg class
Snøgg class patrol boat
The Snøgg class was a Royal Norwegian Navy class of fast patrol boats . It might also be classified as a torpedo boat or a missile boat. In Norway this type of vessel is called a missile torpedo boat . The class was named after its lead vessel, Snøgg, which is a Norwegian word meaning "fast"...
. She was built in 1970 and broken up in 1995.
EW vessel
In 1987, the Kvikk was equipped as an electronic warfareElectronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
(EW) vessel. Among other things, she received an extra RF transmitter aft rated at 750 watts, which was actively used in exercises and tests. Because of this, the crew was exposed to heavy electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space...
. Her service as an EW vessel ended in December 1994.
Reconstruction
After serving aboard the Kvikk, an abnormally high number of the crew's children were born with congenital disorderCongenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
s. In order to find out if there was a link between that the Kvikks electronic equipment, she was reconstructed in 1997. The tests carried out were inconclusive, and no direct link was found. However, the investigation of the case will continue until 2006, and the RNoN is working on new guidelines for radiation aboard their vessels.