HS Kalypso

welcome aboard

HS KALYPSO

HISTORY ........................

KALYPSO is one of first two MHC OSPPREY class minehunters that were decommissioned and transferred to the Hellenic Navy. It was one of the twelve OSPPREY class ships that serviced the United States Navy and the second that was built.

It was launched on October 11 1989 and was commissioned on August 6 1994.

HS KALYPSO was decommissioned from the USN. The first name given to the ship was USS HERON and its side number was 52. The decomissioning procedure began on January 17 2007 and the ship was decommissioned on March 16 2007 by Lieutetant Commander G. Karageorgis . In the HN its name was changed to HS KALYPSO and its side number to M-64. This is the fourth time that a ship belonging to the HN has been named KALYPSO . The other three ships were a sloop that serviced HN in 1830, a PT boat class «DILOS» and a class Combattant II. HS KALYPSO is designed to find, classify, and destroy moored and bottom naval mines from vital waterways. She uses sonar and video systems, cable cutters and a mine detonating device that can be released and detonated by remote control. Her primary mission is reconnaissance, classification, and neutralization of all types of moored and bottom mines in littoral areas, harbors and coastal waterways. Osprey class are the world’s second largest minehunters (surpassed by the Royal Navy’s 60-metre (200 ft) Hunt class minehunters) to be constructed entirely of fiberglass and designed to survive the shock of underwater explosions.

The name Kalypso comes from Greek Mythology. Kalypso was a mythological nymph, mostly known from Homer’s Odyssey, living in isolation on an island called Ogygia eating ambrosia and nectar. She had the ability to make mortals immortal. Kalypso had other names too. Historians that appeared after Homer also referred to her as Oceanis or Atlantis, daughter of Pleionis.

SHIP’S CHARACTERISTICS ........................

Length: 57,9 m Beam: 10,6 m Draft: 3,6 m Height: 20,8 m

COMBAT SYSTEMS ........................ > ROV AN SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization System > AN/SQQ-32 Mine Hunting Sonar > AN/SYQ-13 Navigation, Command and Control System > The basic hull is a solid, continuous monocoque structure laminated from special fiberglass and resin which flexes to absorb the violent shock of an underwater mine explosion. > HS KALYPSO is designated to hunt and neutralize sea mines and is powered by two cycloidal propellers, a unique propulsion system from Voith Schneider.

Lieutenant Commander Panagiotis Tripontikas Commanding Officer HS KALYPSO (M-64) Lt Cdr Panagiotis Tripontikas was born in Athens on 18 March 1972 and comes from Velanidia Voion Lakonias (Municipality of Monemvasia). He joined the Hellenic Naval Academy in 1991 and graduated in 1995 and since then he has served in several units of the Hellenic Fleet.

From September 1996 to June 1998 he was stationed as Navigational Officer in gunboat HS KARTERIA. From September 1998 to July 1999 he participated in the national Antisubmarine Warfare Course.

From July 1999 to June 2001 he was stationed as an Executive Officer of minesweeper HS KLIO. From June 2001 to August 2003 he served as Navigational Officer of minehunter HS EVROPI. From August 2003 to June 2005 he was stationed as Executive Officer of gunboat HS ORMI. On December 2005 he graduated from the National Staff Officer Course and from December of 2005 until July 2008 he was stationed in Hellenic Navy Petty Officers school.

From November 2001 until December 2002 he successfully attended the Advanced Minewarfare Course of NATO (AMWC-N) at NATO Minewarfare School in Eguermin, Belgium.

From January and February 2005 he attended the drugs training workshop at the Hellenic Police Headquarters.

In June 2008 he graduated from Minewarfare Staff Officer Course of NATO (MSOC-N) in NATO Minewarfare Course in Eguermin, Belgium. From then until January of 2010 he was stationed as staff of the Hellenic Fleet.

From January 2010 until August 2010 he was assigned as Assistant Staff Officer of SNMCMG-2.

From August 2010 until August 2011 he was stationed to COMHELMINE. At 2010 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

On August 11 2011 he assumed duties as Commanding Officer of minehunter HS KALIPSO (OSPREY class).

He has been honoured with medals and awards corresponding to his rank.

He has successfully completed the diving training in Underwater Demolition Command and has also a two star diving certificate (CMAS).

Lt Cdr P. Tripontikas is married to Irakleia Schoina, lawyer, who serves at the Managing Authority of Operational Program HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT at Ministry of Labour and Social Security at the Special Management Service of the Operational Program “Employment and Vocational Training� of the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection.

They have a son, John.

Lt Cdr P. Tripontikas speaks English fluently.