Russia: Research Ship Seliger Starts State Acceptance Trials

Ocean trials of JSC Yantar Shipyard’s research ship Seliger, which is being built for Russian Navy, are taking place in Baltiysk, reports Central Navy Portal. The ship began first phase of ocean trials on April 13, when it was relocated to the shipyard’s delivery base in Baltiysk.

After its arrival at Baltiysk, Seliger started the sea trials and state acceptance trials, which are expected to finish this summer. The ship will then head for the Black Sea.

The research ship Seliger will carry out a wide range of research and experimental tasks, such as deep-sea explorations by unmanned submersibles. The ship’s displacement is 1,150 tons; length is 59.7 meters; beam is 10.8 meters; full speed is 13 knots; operating range is 1,000 nautical miles; complement is 25 men.

Seliger is the lead vessel of Project 11982 developed by Almaz Central Design Bureau. The ship is designed for equipment trials, deep-sea researches, and search-and-rescue works. The shipbuilding contract was tied between JSC Yantar Shipyard and Russian Defense Ministry in Feb 2009. Keel-laying ceremony was held on July 8, 2009. Seliger is supposed to be commissioned later this year.

Yantar Shipyard (Kaliningrad, Russia) was established in July 1945 on the basis of Koenigsberg shipyards F. Schichau. It is specialized in construction of light and intermediate tonnage naval and civil vessels as well as ship repair works. Through the 66-year long history, the yard has built 154 warships and over 500 civil vessels. Currently, Yantar’s majority shareholder is Russian Government represented by United Shipbuilding Corporation.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, April 25, 2012; Image: shipyard-yantar