JSC ʺADMIRALTY SHIPYARDSʺ FINISHED THE CONTROL STAGE OF FACTORY SEA TRIALS FOR ʺNORTH POLEʺ

JSC ʺAdmiralty Shipyardsʺ finished the control stage of factory sea trials for the ice-resistant self-propelled platform ʺNorth Poleʺ.

The trials took place in the waters of the Gulf of Finland in the period from 30th June to 6th July. The specialists of the enterprise adjusted operation of the auto steering and research equipment onboard the vessel. Besides, the delivery team executed a complex of activities on landing and receipt of a helicopter MI-8, verified the functionality of the helicopter pad lights and helicopter communication means.

The team also measured the noise level for the residential and utility premises, general vibration and vibration of mechanisms, torsion vibration for the main units; performed the bollard pull tests as per the sea trial program.

After the ice-resistant self-propelled platform “North Pole” is back at the quay, JSC “Admiralty Shipyards” will commence its preparation for delivery to the Customer, and then the vessel will be enlisted with the scientific expedition fleet of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute and departure for the first scientific journey at high latitudes. According to Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, who visited the Shipyards on the 29th of June this year, ʺthis expedition is extremely important for our country - the platform will carry out the most important tasks for the socio-economic development of our Arctic zone.ʺ

The contract between JSC ʺAdmiralty Shipyardsʺ and Roshydromet for construction of the ice-resistant self-propelled platform was signed in April of 2018. The vessel was laid down on the 10th of April, 2019. The hull is being built as part of the state program for social and economic development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.

The ice-resistant self-propelled platform ʺNorth Poleʺ has the functionality of a R&D designed to carry out year-round complex scientific research in the high latitudes of the Arctic Ocean. The vessel is capable to conduct oceanographic, acoustic, geophysical and geological observations, move in ice without engaging icebreakers and take onboard heavy helicopters of type MI-8 AMT (Mi-17). The IRSPP will provide the crew and scientific staff with comfortable and safe working and living conditions at the polar station at temperature down to -50o and air humidity 85%.

The main tactical and technical characteristics of the platform: length – 83.1 m, breadth – 22.5 m; displacement – approx. 10390 tons; propulsion plant capacity – 4200 kW; speed – minimum 10 knots; hull strength – Arc8; sea endurance by fuel load – approx. 2 years; service life – minimum 25 years; crew – 14 people; research staff members – 34 people. The ice-resistant self-propelled platform ʺNorth Poleʺ is being built for the class of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping: KM(*) Arc5[1] AUT1-C HELIDECK-F Special purpose ship.