page_title: VMV-class patrol boat
section_title: Vessels of the class
hierarchical_section_title: VMV-class patrol boat / Vessels of the class
caption_attribution_description: Suomi: Vartiomoottorivene 9 (VMV 9) Somerin taistelun jälkeen, mahdollinen kuvausajankohta.
context_page_description: VMV-class patrol boat was a series of Finnish patrol boats, which served with the Finnish Coast Guard and the Finnish Navy during World War II.
context_section_description: VMV-1, VMV-2
  The Finnish Navy ordered two boats from Abeking & Rasmussen in Bremen, Germany in January 1930, since the construction of the first boat, the future VMV-3, was delayed. These boats were ready by June 1930 and were taken into service in 1931. They had a length of 25.00 m (82 ft 0 in), beam 4.10 m (13 ft 5 in) and a draft of 1.00 metre (3 ft 3 in). They were equipped with two Maybach V-12 gasoline-powered engines, producing 1,220 horsepower (910 kW). The ships could reach speeds of up to 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).
  Both VMV-1 and VMV-2 distinguished themselves in the battle against alcohol smugglers in the 1930s. VMV-1 made the largest ever confiscation of smuggled alcohol in Finland at the Åland islands. VMV 2 intercepted a large smuggler vessel, the schooner Omar in 1931. The large smuggler ship S/S Relly came to the other smuggler ship's rescue and tried to sink VMV 2 by ramming it, and a wild duel with small arms opened up. A few smugglers were wounded, but the wild boat ride was solved through the good seamanship of the VMV crew, and when the VMV opened up fire with the 20 mm gun, the smugglers surrendered.
  During the war VMV 1 served with the Varmistuslaivue, and VMV 2 was tasked with anti-submarinde warfare (1939-1941). In 1942, both vessels were part of the 1. Vartiomoottorivenelaivue. VMV 1 took part in the operation that led to the sinking of the Finnish coastal defence ship Ilmarinen. Facing the danger of explosion, she saved 57 men from the upside-down turned hull of Ilmarinen. She also participated in the battle of Bengtskär on 26 July 1941, together with VMV 2, VMV 13, and VMV 14. She was also part in the operation where the minelayer Riilahti sank. She saved 11 men from the water, among them the commander of Riilahti, Captain Lieutenant Osmo Kivilinna, who later died of his injuries. After the war both vessels participated in mine sweeping operations. Both vessels were scrapped in 1951, having served far longer than initially intended.
  VMV 3
  The first VMV order was partially placed at Ares motorverkstad (the engine) and partly from E. Suortin Veneveistämö in Helsinki (the hull) in December 1929 . The boat was ready by November 1930. The vessel was destroyed on the very first day of service, due to a fire in the engine compartments on 10 June 1931. The fire caused great damage to the ship and the boat had to be scrapped soon thereafter.
  VMV 4
  VMV 4 was originally a Norwegian-built smugglers boat, named Sterling. She was later confiscated by the Finnish authorities in 1931 and handed over to the Coast Guard. She was sold to a civilian buyer in 1939.
  VMV 5, VMV 6
  Two more boats were ordered from Uudenkaupungin Veneveistämö in Uusikaupunki in January 1931. These were practically identical to VMV 3, with only some minor differences. VMV 5 and VMV 6 were ready by December 1931. These boats had a higher superstructure Compared to the other VMV boats, and could be easily distinguished from the other VMV boats. VMV 5 belonged to the anti-submarine warfare flotilla during the Winter War, and both ships belonged to the 1st and 2nd escort flotillas during the Continuation War. VMV 5 and VMV 6 were scrapped in 1959-60.
  VMV 7
  The following boat was ordered from Turun Veneveistämö in April 1932. Externally it was identical to VMV 3 and the interior was similar to VMV 5. This boat was ready by 1932, however, an internal explosion destroyed the boat in 1933. This led to a redesign of the future VMV boats, and the subsequent vessels were given diesel engines.
  VMV 8 - VMV 17
  In 1934, the Finnish Navy announced a competition for ten VMV boats. Turun Veneveistämö won and was given the order in March 1934. These boats were 1 m longer and had a greater displacement than the previous boats. The boats were ready by 1935.
  VMV 8 belonged to the escort Flotilla during the Winter War and to the 2nd Patrol Flotilla during the Continuation War. She was sunk at her moorings during a Soviet bombing raid on Helsinki on 26 February 1944.
  VMV 9 belonged to the Escort Flotilla during the Winter War, to the Motor Torpedo Boat Flotil
caption: VMV 9
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