Image source: topwar.ru
The ice-resistant self-propelled platform "North Pole", the construction of which is being completed at the Admiralty Shipyards shipbuilding enterprise in St. Petersburg, begins factory sea trials. This was announced by the director of the "Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute" Alexander Makarov.
According to Makarov, the shipbuilders from the Admiralty Shipyards plan to bring the North Pole LSP to sea trials this Saturday, i.e. May 21. In fact, the GCC has not commented on this statement yet, but the information is quite reliable, in January of this year the platform was 90% ready and mooring tests with simultaneous completion were already underway on it. As previously reported, the "North Pole" should be handed over to the customer this year.
The ice-resistant self-propelled platform of project 00903 is an all-season research platform with the functionality of a research center. Designed for year-round scientific research in the Arctic Ocean. Officially laid down at the Admiralty Shipyards on April 10, 2019, launched on December 18, 2020. It was originally planned to be put into operation at the end of 2020, but then the dates were shifted to 2022.
"North Pole" after launching December 2020
Image source: topwar.ru
The vessel will be able to conduct geological, acoustic, geophysical and oceanographic observations, move in the ice without the involvement of an icebreaker (ice class Arc8), receive heavy helicopters of the Mi-8AMT type (Mi-17). Length – 83.1 m; width – 22.5 m; displacement – about 10,390 tons; EC power – 4200 kW; speed - at least 10 knots; fuel reserve autonomy - about 2 years; service life - at least 25 years. The crew of the vessel is 14 people + 34 scientific staff.
