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Kuha-class mine clearing boats

The Kuha [Pike / perch] class was completed in 1975, and renovation begin in 1996. As a result of the renovation increasing the size and power of ships and their clearing system were renewed. The hull of the vessels is made of Stiffened Single Skin Glass Reinforced Plastic [GRP - aks fiberglass] to reduce magnetic signature, and they are among the largest vessels built with this material.

The engine power is transferred to the propeller unit (which can turn 360 degrees) through two separate hydraulic valves. The engine room is located on the ship's deck at the rear of the deck structure and is insulated from the hull by rubber springs. The power provided by the main propulsion system is transferred to two separate 360° rotating propeller units along the hydraulic valves. The ship design is as quiet as possible, and it is possible to completely eliminate propeller axles, which are very difficult to silence which 'could' be damaged in mine explosions.

Militaries around the world have employing composite materials effectively for many years, with an increasing number of projects and investigations underway to further explore the use of composites. In 1946, the US Navy let two contracts for development of 28 foot personnel boats of laminated plastic. Winner Manufacturing Company used a "bag molding" method while Marco Chemical employed an "injection method." The Navy used the second method for some time with limited success until about 1950 when production contracts using hand layup were awarded.

During the 1960's, the US Navy conducted a series of studies to consider the leasability of using an FRP hull for minesweepers. The U.S. Navy in FY 1984 had contracted with Bell Aerospace Textron (later Textron Marine) to design and construct the first of 14 minesweeper hunters (MSH). The Swedish and Italian Navies had been building minesweeping operations (MSO) ships with composite technology for many years.

A major refurbishment of the Navy's mine clearance began in the early 1970s. Wake-up sharpeners and magnetic-acoustic clearance were introduced in England and Sweden, among others. A new era was entered when the Kuha and Kiiski class clearers designed for wake-up call were completed in the mid-1970s. The vessels were ordered in 1972 from Oy Laivateollisuus Ab in Turku, which purchased the hulls of the vessels from the Turku Boatyard , and they were launched in 1974-1975. The ships of the class were modernized between 1998 and 1999, when they were extended and their striking equipment was renewed. They are part of the Archipelago Sea Marine Defense Area 4 Mine Squadron and were based in Turku. At the beginning of their service career before modernization, they served as auxiliary to the Diving Course.

The Clearing Department, as its name implies, practices clearing, more generally mine clearance, through a variety of recognized methods. Of course, other topics that support its activities also need to be practiced, and so the year's calendar of events hosts numerous training events, but also a number of uplifting events. The highlight of the year is the actual refresher exercise, usually one week long. Weekend volunteer exercises and courses practice smaller subjects and try to give younger players responsibility for planning and conducting training events.