Yaeyama-class minesweeper

JDS Yaeyama (MSO-301)
Class overview
Operators	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Planned	6
Completed	3
Cancelled	3
Active	3
General characteristics
Displacement	1,000 tons standard (Official) 1,250 tons full load (estimated)
Length	67 m (329 ft)
Beam	11.8 m (38.7 ft)
Draft	3.1 m (10.2 ft)
Depth	5.2 m (17 ft)
Propulsion	Diesel, two Mitsubishi 6NMU-TA1 diesels 2,400 hp (1.76 MW), two shafts one 350 hp (257 kW) hydrojet bow thruster
Speed	14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement	60
Armament	• 1 JM-61 Sea Vulcan • Mine-hunting and sweeping equipment

The Yaeyama class is the largest class of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweepers, designed for open-sea mine clearance operations. Three ships were built in the class, a further three ships were planned but were cancelled. The ships use wooden hulls to reduce their magnetic signature. Yaeyama class is one of the largest-sized wooden hull ships designed today (except old and replica ships).

Jane's Fighting Ships notes their similarity to the U.S. Avenger-class minesweepers.

All three vessels are named after World War II Japanese ships: Yaeyama after a minelayer, and Tsushima and Hachijo after kaibokans. Of their World War II namesakes, only Hachijo survived the war.

Ships in the class

Pennant no.	Name	Laid down	Launched	Shipyard	Commissioned	Home port	Unit
MSO-301	Yaeyama	30 August 1990	29 August 1991	Hitachi, Kanagawa || 16 March 1993 || Yokosuka || Minesweeper Division 51
MSO-302	Tsushima	20 July 1990	20 September 1991	Nikko, Tsurumi || 23 March 1993 || Yokosuka || Minesweeper Division 51
MSO-303	Hachijyo	17 May 1991	15 December 1992	24 March 1994	Nikko, Tsurumi || Yokosuka || Minesweeper Division 51

External links

• Minesweeper Division 51 (Japanese, Official)

References

• Minesweeper Division 51 (see above)
• Mine warfare force JMSDF (Japanese, Official)
• Jane's Fighting Ships 2005–2006

Comparable ships

• Avenger class minesweepers

JDS Tsushima (MSO-302)