Oceanographic research vessel "Yantar": description, history and interesting facts

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

There is no other ship like the oceanographic ship "Yantar" on the planet. And the point is not only in the uniqueness of the research complex installed on board and capable of recording numerous parameters of the ocean environment. First of all, the crew itself is unique, consisting of scientists, but in uniform.

"Amber" from "Diamond"

The history of the Yantar research vessel began in February 2009. It was then that a contract was signed, according to which the B altic shipbuilding plant was to build a ship commissioned by the Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. "Yantar" - the lead ship of the project 22010 "Cruys" - was developed by the Central Marine Design Bureau "Almaz" (St. Petersburg) under the leadership of chief designer Alexander Forst.

The construction of the ship started on July 8, 2010. On this day, the staff of the enterprise solemnly celebrated the 65th anniversary of the foundingfactory. To commemorate this date, it was decided to name the ship "Yantar". The main milestones of the ship's construction:

• 2012-31-05 The ship's hull left the slipway of the assembly shop and placed on an open slipway.
• 2012-05-12 The vessel was launched.
• 19.07.2014 Start of mooring trials.

In May 2015, the ship "Yantar" after the control exit to the sea and approval by the state commission of the full readiness of all ship systems became part of the Russian Navy.

Key Features

The crew of the ship "Yantar" of the Russian Navy - 60 people. With a length of just over 108 meters and a width of 17.2 meters, the ship has a total displacement of 5.23 thousand tons. The maximum developed speed can reach 15 knots (about 28 km/h). In autonomous navigation for up to two months, the ship is capable of covering a distance of 8,000 miles. The ship is obliged to supply power to all systems and units by four diesel generator sets. The power of each is 1600 kW.

The propulsion group consists of two rudder propellers and an electric thruster. The first ones allow the ship to turn almost on the spot, and the second ones - to maintain a stationary position during research work. Location accuracy is ensured by modern precessional navigation equipment.

Equipment and special equipment

Main purposeoceanographic vessel "Yantar" - the study of deep-sea regions of the oceans, the features of the bottom topography. Alternative use - rescue expeditions, search operations to search for sunken objects.

To match the tasks and equipment. The power system and telecommunications equipment of the ship are capable of ensuring the simultaneous operation of two deep-sea submersibles of the "Rus" or "Consul" type. Bathyscaphes of this class are able to dive to a depth of over 6 km with a load of about 200 kg, carry out a wide range of underwater operations using a specialized manipulator complex with two actuators, and take photos and videos.

Supplement the technical arsenal of the research vessel "Yantar" several uninhabited remote-controlled vehicles, hydroacoustic equipment for various purposes. A helipad is equipped in the forward part of the deck.

Across the seas, over the waves

The research ship began its service in August 2015 with tests of the deep-sea complex apparatus. For three months in the Atlantic Ocean, which has the depths necessary for testing, specialists tested mini-submarines and remote-controlled probes. Having fully completed the program, the ship "Yantar" returned to the base of the Northern Fleet.

In subsequent years, the ship's track record was replenished:

• Raid along the Syrian coast of the Mediterranean.
• Detection and surveySu-33 and MiG-29 carrier-based aircraft that crashed over the Mediterranean Sea, extracting fragments of fighters and elements of on-board equipment.
• Atlantic trip to the shores of Canada and the USA.
• Participation in search operations to discover the sunken submarine "San Juan" (Argentina).

In numerous ocean voyages "Yantar" proved to be excellent when carrying out research missions in various climatic regions.

Deep Scout or Deep Scout?

The hydrographic vessel "Yantar", exploring the expanses of the world's oceans, simultaneously performs various reconnaissance functions. The range of tasks is not limited to the collection of information of a scientific and military nature. The ship's equipment is capable of creating a "noise curtain" for the scanning sonar equipment of a potential enemy, thereby providing a hidden passage or maneuver for nuclear submarines.

It is not surprising that the ship "Yantar" is always under the close supervision of not only foreign naval departments, but also the media. So, at the suggestion of the American intelligence services, the quite respectable edition of The New York Times during the Atlantic cruise of the Yantar frightened the townsfolk with myths that the Russian ship was capable of leaving US state institutions and ordinary citizens without means of telecommunications. Such a statement is all the more strange because in world practice the reconnaissance activities of ships of this kindclass is commonplace.

Russian experts say that all the talk that the ship "Yantar" cuts underwater Internet cables and communication lines is completely unfounded, much less evidence. At the same time, experts do not deny that the equipment and deep-sea equipment of the ship make it possible not only to destroy, but also to connect to secret telecommunications channels. In fairness, it should be noted that a high-ranking Pentagon official, commenting on the activity of US Navy research ships in the Sea of Okhotsk, joked that they also "do not study whales" there.

Next in line - "Diamond"

In June 2016, at the Kaliningrad shipyards, the next ship was laid down to help Yantar, which received its name in honor of the Central Design Bureau - Almaz. The developers, relying on the experience of operating the lead ship, have significantly improved the ergonomics of the equipment and the living conditions of the crew.

By the way, the length of the second vessel is 118 meters, but there is no helipad. I wonder what "surprises" Almaz is preparing?