OREANDA-NEWS. January 16, 2008. Nine ships make the port fleet of SE Klaipeda State Seaport Authority: rescue ships  „SHAKIAI“ and  „VIESULAS“, diver boats  „RIFAS“ and „GELME“, pilot cutters „SMILTE“ and „DANGE“, rescue cutter  „ZHAIBAS“, hydrographic ship „RUSNE“ and tug boat  „STUMBRAS“. 
One of those ships – rescue ship „SHAKIAI“ celebrates its  10th anniversary: on the 16th of January 1998 „SHAKIAI“ started its activities as a rescue ship in Klaipeda port and on this day during the official ceremony the flag of the Republic of Lithuania was hoisted.  The Minister of Transport and Communications at that time A.Zhvaliauskas, member of the Seimas of Lithuania L.Andrikiene, Director of Port Authority V.Greichiunas, Harbour Master N. Severinchik  took part in the ceremony. Vygandas Naujokas was appointed the Captain of a ship and the crew was made of experienced seafarers.
The main ship data: length – 50,61 m; width – 10,5 m;  draught -  4,8 m;
IMO No 8727721;  displacement – 1350 tonø;  main engine – 8 NVD 48A-2U;
power 970 kW; year and place of building: 1986, Russia 
 
Fishing trawler „SHAKIAI“ was built in 1986 in Russian shipyard of Petrozavodsk. Since the construction day until 1994 this ship belonged to Lithuanian fishing fleet enterprise  „Jura“, where it was used for fishing in the Baltic Sea.
 
In order to execute search and rescue operations in economic zone of Lithuania and oil spill collection, Port Authority bought the middle fishing trawler „SHAKIAI“ from enterprise „Jura“ in 1994. AB „Laivyno inzhinerijos centras“  made the reconstruction project for this ship to make it from fishing trawler to rescue ship.  Reconstruction works lasted for about two years (i.e. from 1995 to 1997 ) and they were executed by AB „Klaipedos laivø remontas“. In December 24, 1997  UAB „Rusijos laivybos registras“ handed to the ship „SHAKIAI“ rescue ship documents, and on the 16th of January 1998 „SHAKIAI“ started its activities as a rescue ship in Klaipeda port and during the official ceremony the flag of the Republic of Lithuania was hoisted.
 
On the 30th of January 1998 „SHAKIAI“ sailed to its first rescue operation during the storm, when 100 miles to the West from Klaipeda the loaded timber in Estonian ship „KIRRE“ healed over dangerously due to stormy conditions. The Captain of a ship got permission to call Klaipeda port and rescue ship „SHAKIAI“ was sent to help to do it.
 
Rescue ship participated in fighting the fire a lot of times. The most important operation in fighting the fire was in May 4-9 2006 when the fire of the century rage din Neringa and the ship  ,,SHAKIAI” stayed at an abandoned quay at Alksnyne and supplied with water. 9 000 m3 of water was pumped then. The Authority of the NATIONAL park of the Curonian Shelf expressed acknowledgement for the crew of a ship for efficient help in fighting the fire.
 
In 1998 „SHAKIAI“participated two times in removal of devices of unclear purpose in the Baltic Sea which were transferred to military people. 
 
In 2001 the crew of the ship participated in oil spill collection operation at Butinge SPM. 
 
In 2003 at Nemirseta when a helicopter Mi-8 fell into the Baltic Sea the crew of „SHAKIAI“ saved 4 people.
 
Each year the ship participates in international oil spill collection exercises  „Balex – Delta“ , in search and rescue exercises  „Baltic Eye“ etc. 
 
Rescue ship of port authority  „SHAKIAI“, equipped with all necessary installations for rescue of people and oil spill collection, oil boom system and fire fighting equipment and  is able to rescue people, liquidate oil spills, render fire fighting services and  in help in all possible cases.