View source for HNoMS Horten (A530)

{{Redirect|HNoMS Horten|an earlier frigate named that|HMCS Prestonian}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=KNM Horten in Spangereid.jpg
|Ship image size=295px
|Ship caption= 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=Norway
|Ship flag=[[Image:Flag of Norway, state.svg|60px|Norwegian State Flag]]
|Ship name=''Horten''
|Ship namesake=Port town of [[Horten]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=The Royal Norwegian Navy's shipyard at [[Horten]]
|Ship laid down=28 January 1977
|Ship launched=12 August 1977
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=9 June 1978
|Ship decommissioned=11 June 2008
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|8746806}}
*{{MMSI Number|671496000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: 5VCV5
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=Sold
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=
|Ship displacement=2,535&nbsp;tons full load
|Ship length={{convert|87.4|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|13.0|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|4.86|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=Two 4,200 HP diesel engines
|Ship speed={{convert|16|kn|km/h|2|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=86 men
|Ship armament=*2 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|Bofors 40 mm gun]]s,
*depth charges
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship notes=IMO 6127047
}}
|}

'''HNoMS ''Horten''''' (A530) was a [[Norway|Norwegian]] support vessel built at [[Karljohansvern]] in [[Horten]], the city from which the ship was named, in 1977. She was in service with the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]] until her retirement in 2008 and filled a number of roles while in service.

After being sold in 2012,<ref name="Aftenposten">{{cite news |title=Slitne krigere solgt til England ("Tired warriors sold to England")|first=Per Annar |last=Holm |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Slitne-krigere-solgt-til-England-7041062.html |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=Aftenposten |date=11 November 2012 |location=Oslo |language=no|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223714/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/Slitne-krigere-solgt-til-England-7041062.html |archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Horten is currently (2014) employed as a fishery patrol vessel in Nigeria, supporting the fleet of fast patrol boats sold along with her.

==Norwegian Navy==
''Horten'' was originally designed as a support craft for [[submarines]] and [[fast attack craft]]. After a change in the design, which shortened the vessel and gave her smaller [[torpedo]] stores than originally intended, this role was reduced. Rather than supplying smaller ships with [[Artillery|ordnance]], ''Horten'' functioned primarily as support craft with regards to food, fuel and water – in some cases, the on-board facilities were also made available to crews visiting from smaller ships. ''Horten'' was known as a spacious vessel – [[Seaman (rank)|privates]] had four-man cabins, [[leading seaman|leading privates]] had two-man cabins and some [[petty officer]]s had single cabins. [[Officer (armed forces)|Commissioned officers]] had cabins of a high standard and the [[Captain (naval)|captain]] a large, separate cabin with top facilities. There were also guest quarters for high-ranking officers on the same deck as the captain's quarters. The officers also had a separate mess hall with a [[Bar (establishment)|bar]]. In 1985, the ship served as yacht for [[Olav V|King Olav V]] whilst the [[royal yacht]] [[HNoMY Norge|HNoMY ''Norge'']] was repaired after a fire earlier that year. Part of the reason for this choice was the ship's excellent facilities. 

From 1986, ''Horten'' was laid up. When returning to service in 1989, she was converted to a training ship in the "School squadron", along with HNoMS ''Hessa'' and HNoMS ''Vigra''. The facilities on board and the size of the vessel ensured that [[Norwegian Naval Academy|academy]] [[cadets]] could get experience with navigation and command in addition to normal schooling. The ship continued to function in this role intermittently throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, as well as serving as a support vessel.

During [[Military exercise|naval exercises]] in the early 2000s, such as "Blue Game", the ship functioned as command vessel for [[NATO]] officers responsible for overseeing the exercise.<ref>{{cite web |title="Blue Game 01" tests NATO's littoral warfare tactics |url=http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Navy-International-2001/Blue-Game-01-tests-NATO-s-littoral-warfare-tactics.html |publisher=Jane's |location=London |access-date=2012-11-27 |archive-date=2013-01-26 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126190715/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Navy-International-2001/Blue-Game-01-tests-NATO-s-littoral-warfare-tactics.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> During 2005–08, ''Horten'' primarily functioned as living and training centre for the crews of the new [[Fridtjof Nansen class frigate|Nansen class frigates]]. She had previously served as training ship for frigate crews in 2001, while the ''[[Oslo class frigate#Ships|Trondheim]]'' was being repaired after a boiler failure.

''Horten'' was decommissioned in 2008, after many years of discussion and postponement due to the lack of a suitable replacement. Due to Norway's strict export restrictions on [[Dual-use technology|dual-use military goods]], and the wish of the {{ill|Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation|no|Forsvarets logistikkorganisasjon}} (FLO) of the [[Ministry of Defence (Norway)|Ministry of Defence]] to sell her along with six retired (initially still armed) [[Hauk-class patrol boat]]s, the sale of the ship turned out to be a lengthy and difficult process.<ref name="Dereliction">{{cite web |last1=Gibbs |first1=Margot |last2=Holden |first2=Paul |last3=Hawley |first3=Susan |title=Dereliction of Duty |url=https://www.cw-uk.org/dereliction-of-duty |publisher=Corruption Watch |access-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405122346/https://shadowworldinvestigations.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/54261c_3f990fe3175c48c5b90ed65a41192d59.pdf |archive-date=5 April 2022 |date=May 2017 |url-status=usurped |via=Shadow World Investigations}}</ref>

==Sale to Nigeria==
After several failed attempts to complete a sale by the FLO, in 2012 ''Horten'' and the by-then-demilitarised patrol boats were sold to British company CAS-Global Ltd on the basis that, although they were contracted to the [[Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency]] (NIMASA), they would be operating under UK flag and regulatory control.<ref name="Aftenposten" /> After delays, during which the patrol boats were delivered, in February 2014 the new owner brought ''Horten'' to [[Ramsgate]], England, where she was detained by the [[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]] over registration and technical issues.<ref name="Dereliction" /> CAS-Global's UK export licence application falsely claimed that the ship had been sold from Norway direct to Global West Vessel Specialist Agency, Nigeria and she would be operated by the Nigerian Navy;<ref>{{cite news |title=Norway sells warships, combat boats to ex-militant leader, Tompolo |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/173222-norway-sells-warships-combat-boats-ex-militant-leader-tompolo.html |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Premium Times |date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515223804/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/173222-norway-sells-warships-combat-boats-ex-militant-leader-tompolo.html?tztc=1 |archive-date=15 May 2024 |location=Abuja|url-status=live}}</ref> Global West was connected to the Nigerian former warlord [[Tompolo]].<ref name="Dereliction" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yafugborhi |first1=Egufe |title=Unease in Niger Delta: Group kicks as Tompolo allegedly acquires battleships |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/unease-niger-delta-group-kicks-tompolo-allegedly-acquires-battleships/ |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=Vanguard |date=14 December 2014 |location=Apapa-Lagos}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gambrell |first1=Jon |title=Nigerian ex-militant forges security contract |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/4/nigerian-ex-militant-forges-security-contract/ |access-date=22 May 2024 |agency=Associated Press |date=4 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405122458/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/4/nigerian-ex-militant-forges-security-contract/ |archive-date=5 April 2022|via=Washington Times}}</ref>

As a consequence of investigative reporting by the Oslo newspaper ''[[Dagbladet]]'', in October 2014 a Norwegian Parliamentary Committee began an investigation of the allegations of illegalities and corruption.<ref name="Dereliction" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Nyhetssaker om: Nigeria-Båtene ("News stories on the Nigerian Boats") |url=https://www.dagbladet.no/emne/nigeria-batene |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dagbladet |date=2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522213022/https://www.dagbladet.no/emne/nigeria-batene |archive-date=22 May 2024 |location=Oslo |language=no}}</ref> Its final report was made in May 2016, confirming that the FLO was aware that the true end-user was Global West, not CAS-Global, but hid that from Government, and were not proactive in trying to prevent the British authorities allowing ''Horten'' to be delivered.<ref name="Dereliction" /> The responsible official was convicted of taking bribes from CAS-Global and imprisoned.<ref name="Gottschalk">{{cite book |last1=Gottschalk |first1=Petter |author1-link=:no:Petter Gottschalk |title=Case Studies of Executive Deviance: A Theory of Business Convenience |date=2020 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |location=Cheltenham |isbn=978-1-80037-169-9 |pages=5–15 |url=https://www.elgaronline.com/monochap/9781800371699.00005.xml |access-date=22 May 2024 |chapter=1. Convenience case of navy commander |language=en}}</ref> 

After the UK export licence was granted, ''Horten'' sailed for Nigeria on 20 November 2014 under [[Togo]] registration.<ref name="Dereliction" /> On arrival in [[Lagos]] on 5 December 2014, she was seized due to a Nigerian Navy dispute with NIMASA and Global West.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Egeberg |first1=Kristoffer |last2=Strømman |first2=Ola |title=Nytt norsk krigsskip har havnet i Nigeria ("A new Norwegian warship has arrived in Nigeria") |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/nytt-norsk-krigsskip-har-havnet-i-nigeria/60899742 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dagbladet |date=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228171721/http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/nytt-norsk-krigsskip-har-havnet-i-nigeria/60899742 |archive-date=28 February 2017 |location=Oslo |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bergsaker |first1=Tore |last2=Egeberg|first2=Kristoffer |title=Nigerianske Økokrim ber krigsherren med norske marinefartøy melde seg ("Nigerian Økokrim asks the warlord with Norwegian naval vessels to report") |url=https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/nigerianske-okokrim-ber-krigsherren-med-norske-marinefartoy-melde-seg/60483383 |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Dagbladet |date=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111162518/https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/nigerianske-okokrim-ber-krigsherren-med-norske-marinefartoy-melde-seg/60483383 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |location=Oslo |language=no}}</ref> In June 2015, the ship was transferred to Nigerian registration, in ownership of Molecular Power Systems Ltd., Lagos, which was associated with Global West.<ref>{{cite web |title=IMO 8746806 - Horten |url=https://gisis.imo.org/Public/SHIPS/ShipDetails.aspx?IMONumber=8746806 |website=GISIS: Ship and Company Particulars |publisher=International Maritime Organization |access-date=22 May 2024 |location=London }}</ref><ref name="live">{{cite news |title=Global West vessel specialist owners in legal battle over company shares |url=https://businessday.ng/maritime/article/global-west-vessel-specialist-owners-legal-battle-company-shares/ |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Business Day |date=23 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522185920/https://businessday.ng/maritime/article/global-west-vessel-specialist-owners-legal-battle-company-shares/ |archive-date=22 May 2024 |location=Lagos}}</ref> In September 2016 it was reported that NIMASA had taken over more than 20 vessels from Global West's fleet, including ''Horten''.<ref name="Gottschalk" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Agha |first1=Eugene |title=NIMASA takes over 20 vessels from Tompolo's firm |url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/nimasa-takes-over-20-vessels-from-tompolo-s-firm/138104.html |access-date=22 May 2024 |work=Daily Trust |date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914031659/https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/nimasa-takes-over-20-vessels-from-tompolo-s-firm/138104.html |archive-date=14 September 2016 |location=Lagos}}</ref>

==Pictures==
<gallery>
File:Horten alongside fregattene.jpg|''Horten'' moored alongside the Oslo class frigates ''Bergen'' and ''Narvik'' in 2001.
File:Mannskapet2001.jpg|The crew photographed in 2001.
File:Horten Junior.jpg|"Junior", one of the ship's two small boats, in 2001.
File:Sjøbjørn.jpg|"Sjøbjørn" (sea bear), one of the ship's two small boats, in 2001.
File:Sjøbjørn i davit.jpg|"Sjøbjørn" (sea bear), one of the ship's two small boats, in the davit in 2001.
</gallery>

==Bibliography==
* Stephen Saunders RN red. (2004). ''Jane's Fighting Ships 2004-2005'', 107. ed., s. 518. Jane’s Information Group Limited. {{ISBN|0-7106-2623-1}}.
* Marius Thomassen (1995). ''90 år under rent norsk orlogsflagg''. {{ISBN|9788251404839}}.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106053429/http://forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/organisasjon/sjoforsvaret/ke/Sider/default.aspx The Norwegian defence: ''The Navy'']
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130116083519/http://forsvaret.no/om-forsvaret/utstyrsfakta/sjo/Sider/sjo.aspx The Norwegian Defence: ''Naval craft'']

{{DEFAULTSORT:Horten (A530)}}
[[Category:Ships built in Horten]]
[[Category:Auxiliary ships of the Royal Norwegian Navy]]
[[Category:1977 ships]]
[[Category:Royal and presidential yachts]]