EML Sakala (M314)

EML "Sakala" (M314) is a "Sandown"-class minehunter of the Estonian Navy and belongs to the Estonian Navy Mineships Division. The commanding officer of the vessel is Senior Lieutenant Ain Pärna.

Introduction

The minehunter "Sakala" is the fourth vessel of the Estonian Navy Mineships Division and second of three modernized "Sandown" class minehunters purchased from the Royal Navy. A black shield which represents the rich soils of Sakala and the ethnic Estonian men clothing. The rose points towards the capital of the Sakalamaa Viljandi. The swords are representing Sakalas important role in Estonian ancient freedom fight and the fighting spirit as silver stands for loyalty. The ships motto is in Latin "„In nomine libertatis”" which means in English "In the name of freedom". The coat of arms was designed by Priit Herodes. The vessel will arrive to Estonia from United Kingdom in February or March 2008.

History

The EML "Sakala" (M314) was built in the United Kingdom, in a Vosper Thornycroft shipyard. The vessel was launched on 27 February 1990 and she entered service a year later on 24 January 1991. The ship's name comes from an ancient Estonian county Sakala which is today known as Viljandimaa yet is often called Sakalamaa. The Royal Navy decommissioned "Inverness" and one of her two twin sisters "Bridport" and HMS "Sandown" on 9 October 2006 and sold the vessels to the Estonian Navy. The coat of arms was presented on a ceremony on 24 January 2008 in Scotland. [http://mil.ee/?menu=merevagi&sisu=sakala ENS Sakala (M314)]

Gallery

ee also