VESSEL REFIT | Evgeny Gorigledzhan – Rescue tug converted into oceanographic research ship for Russian Defence Ministry

Russia's Yantar Shipyard has completed conversion of a former rescue and salvage tug into an oceanographic research vessel to be used by the country's Ministry of Defence. Originally constructed in Poland in 1983 as the Soviet Navy tug MB-305, the vessel has been rebuilt to perform ocean research and related activities, having been renamed Evgeny Gorigledzhan after a famed Soviet and Russian engineer who specialised in the design of nuclear-powered submarines.

Design work on the vessel, the sole example under the Project 02670 series of oceanographic research ships, was provided by engineering firm Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, Yantar Shipyard's sister company under the United Shipbuilding Corporation umbrella. The vessel will now be used by the Defence Ministry's Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research for missions including oceanographic surveys, marine environmental monitoring, and secondary duties such as search and rescue (SAR) and undersea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR).

Evgeny Gorigledzhan has a length of 81 metres, a beam of 16 metres, a displacement of 4,000 tonnes, and accommodations for 32 crewmembers and up to 25 researchers and technicians. The vessel can stay out at sea for a maximum of 30 days, allowing for the execution of scientific missions of extended duration.

The vessel retains its ice class and its spacious open aft deck, which is now fitted with a large crane and a stern A-frame. This equipment will be used to deploy and recover towed sensors and small craft such as manned and unmanned submersibles that are to be transported on the aft deck.

Evgeny Gorigledzhan was rebuilt to have a service life of around 20 to 25 years. The vessel's main navigational area will encompass the Black and Mediterranean Seas, though it is capable of also operating in other regions, even those in higher latitudes, thanks to its ice class.

Some of our readers have expressed disquiet at our publication of reviews and articles describing new vessels from Russia. We at Baird Maritime can understand and sympathise with those views. However, despite the behaviour of the country's leaders, we believe that the maritime world needs to learn of the latest developments in vessel design and construction there.

Click here for more news stories, features, and vessel reviews as part of this month's focus on the research and training sector.