HNoMS Vale (N53)

Latvian Naval Forces minelayer A-53 Virsaitis (2012)
History
Norway
Name	Vale (N53)
Namesake	Váli
Builder	Mjellem & Karlsen Verft, Bergen
Launched	1978
Fate	Donated to Latvia, 2003
Latvia
Name	Virsaitis (A53)
Acquired	2003
Identification	MMSI number: 275144000 Callsign: YLNS
Status	In active service as of 2023
General characteristics [1]
Class and type	Vidar-class coastal minelayer / command and support ship
Displacement	1,673 long tons (1,700 t) full load
Length	64.8 m (213 ft)
Beam	12 m (39 ft)
Draught	4 m (13 ft)
Propulsion	2 marine diesel engines 2 shafts 4,200 hp (3,100 kW)
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	60
Armament	2 × 40 mm (1.6 in) guns 2 × triple 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedo tubes 300-400 mines Mistral SAM launcher

HNoMS Vale (N53) was a Royal Norwegian Navy minelayer. She was built by Mjellem & Karlsen in Bergen in 1978, and named after Odin's son Vale from Norse mythology. Vale was given to the Latvian Navy in 2003. She was renamed Virsaitis, that in translation from Latvian means "Chieftain".

Her sister ship HNoMS Vidar (N52) was sold to Lithuania in 2006.