KNM Harstad is a purpose-built offshore patrol vessel for the Norwegian Coast Guard. She is named after the city Harstad in Northern Norway.
Harstad was built as a multipurpose vessel, but optimised for emergency towing of large oil tankers (up to 200,000 metric tons deadweight (DWT)), oil spill clean-up and fire fighting. The most common duty will be fishery inspection and search and rescue in Norway's large exclusive economic zone. The steadily increasing traffic of large oil tankers along the Norwegian coast explains the need for this type of vessel.
KNM is short for K ongelig N orske M arine (Royal Norwegian Navy)
She is seen here alongside the Harbour Wall in Leith on the 21st May 2009, she was only in port for six hours before sailng again.
FOSNAVVAG is a town in the municipality in Herøy in the country of Møre og Romsdal in Norway.
KYSTVAKT is Norwegian for Coast Guard
