The Nornen class consists of five vessels of the ST-610 design by Skipsteknisk AS. The contract for the delivery of these vessels was signed on November 24, 2004, and they were delivered with 12–14 months. The vessels were leased for 15 years. These purpose-built vessels replaced the five oldest vessels in the inshore coast guard (No:Indre Kystvakt). They provided significantly improved capabilities in all regards compared to the vessels they replaced. This included seaworthiness (they are larger), towing capacity, fire fighting and environmental protection (collecting oil spills). The aft deck is for the winch only (not for helicopter landing).
The shares the same basic design, but is modified for the use of the Norwegian Sea Home Guard.
In October 2011 the Norwegian government announced that they had bought the five ships for 477 million kroner from Remøy Shipping, from whom they previously leased the ships, for a projected saving of 111 million kroner before the vessels are scrapped around 2030.[1]
The vessels of the Nornen class are named after Norse mythology gods and beings. The Norwegian prefix for the vessels is KV instead of NoCGV.