Strange ship in Finland

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:42 am

Hello

Does anyone have any idea what this might be:

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&c ... &encType=1

It is located near the Pansio naval base in Turku, Finland. I've never come across a ship like this, how about you?

I hope the url is correct..

MichelB · Post by **MichelB** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:06 am

That is odd. Well, the hull seems designed for something to flow over it, either air at high speeds or water, but the underlying hull form seems too conventional for that. I think there's a converted standard hull down there.

Either that, or some wealthy idiot had his whimsical ideas translated to an actual ship.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:25 am

Yep, that's something that came to my mind also, the lower hull looking really conventional that is. A friend of mine saw that thing at the pierside while working there and said that thing was supposed to be converted into a casino or something years ago, but nothing came of that plan. But what the heck it is they were supposed to convert it from.

He said something about Russian origins of the thing, but that was a 100% guess I think.

Yamato1701 · Post by **Yamato1701** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:00 am

When I looked at it, i thought it looked like a Military hull, until I noticed the aft end. That looks more like a yacht than anything else. all tol, the only thing I can figure out is that somebody's yacht is being conserved until either that person wants to make use of it again, or they can sell it. But all this is just sheer guessing.

Jose Chaica · Post by **Jose Chaica** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 2:12 am

Floating disco ???

.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 8:44 am

Maybe it's a movie prop.

RNfanDan · Post by **RNfanDan** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:52 am

First thing I noticed is the round tunnel near the stern--possibly rocket/jet exhaust area? Could this be a Moby Dick-styled "BatBoat"?

David J Ross · Post by **David J Ross** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:22 pm

I posted a request, over at Shipspotting.com, for help in identifying this vessel and got a reply plus links to more photos. It is an ex-East German spy ship the Aeria.

Link to my post: http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/new ... 38&forum=1

Pictures can be slow to appear at times so please be patient.

Links to the photos:
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/mya ... lid=124233

http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/mya ... lid=124229

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:45 am

Thank you very much =)

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 10:19 am

With no obvious sensors and so on, what could it possibly have spied on?

What is the purpose of the aft-facing duct?

Can anyone point to some more information?

Post by **Timmy C** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:21 pm

Two more pics at the bottom of this page:
http://www.suffolkcam.co.uk/lowestoft_h ... 032002.htm

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:48 pm

The chines fore and aft mean it cannot possibly be stealthy in Radar.

Sten Ekedahl · Post by **Sten Ekedahl** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:51 pm

Werner wrote:With no obvious sensors and so on, what could it possibly have spied on?

Most likely the streamlined top is a fiberglass "radome" with all the different antennas underneath. Two reasons for this, as on other elint gathering ships; protecting the antennas from the the elements and from prying eyes.

What surprises me though. is the lack of a proper bridge with good all round vision for manouvering the ship (or whatever it is).

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:57 pm

Sten Ekedahl wrote:
Werner wrote:With no obvious sensors and so on, what could it possibly have spied on?
Most likely the streamlined top is a fiberglass "radome" with all the different antennas underneath. Two reasons for this, as on other elint gathering ships; protecting the antennas from the the elements and from prying eyes.

What surprises me though. is the lack of a proper bridge with good all round vision for manouvering the ship (or whatever it is).

If I had to guess, I would bet this ship's sensors are submerged. The only sensible purpose for the opening at the rear of the "duct" would be to expose a line-of-sight UHF or Laser transceiver.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:58 pm

If I have to guess, I will guess its a perfectly normal ship whose superstructure is temporarily contained in some sort of inflatable containment barrier, and some hazardous, easily airborne material is being stripped from the ship.

Werner · Post by **Werner** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:01 pm

Chuck wrote:If I have to guess, I will guess its a perfectly normal ship whose superstructure is temporarily contained in some sort of inflatable containment barrier, and some hazardous, easily airborne material is being stripped from the ship.

A containment barrier with a hatch for anchoring?

Decontamination would take place in an industrial area, probably in a drydock to control the amount of material over the side.

It certainly would not be moored in a public area near restaurants and pubs.