MOSCOW. Aug 27 (Interfax) - The keel of the lead boat of the new-generation big hydrographic catamaran series Mikhail Kazansky, which is intended for the Russian Navy, has been laid down, Capt. 1st rank Igor Dygalo, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesperson for the Navy, told Interfax.
"The ceremony for laying down the keel of the lead boat of the new-generation Project 23370G big hydrographic catamaran series intended for the Russian Navy took place at the shipyard KAMPO," Dygalo said.
"The boat was named after Mikhail Kazansky, an outstanding hydrographer who took part in the building of the Road of Life on the Lake Ladoga and head of the Baltic fleet's ice service, on the orders of Adm. Vladimir Korolyov, commander of the Russian Navy," he said.
"Project 23370G big hydrographic boats are intended for navigation and hydrographic work, installation (removal) and maintenance of floating warning signs, delivery of support personnel, maintenance brigades, food, fuel and other cargo to coastal navigation facilities, including those located on unequipped coasts," he said.
The boats will have capabilities to promptly measure depths in places where floating warning signs are installed using echo sounders.
"A series of three Project 23370G newest hydrographic boats intended for the Russian Navy are being built at the KAMPO shipyard under a three-year state contract. The design of the boats meets the all the latest requirements of the Russian Navy Command to vessels of this type," he said.
"All boats of this series will be named after outstanding Russian light keepers under orders of Adm. Vladimir Korolyov, commander of the Russian Navy," Dygalo said.
The Project 23370G multi-function modular hydrographic boat is an updated version of Projects 23370 and 23370M, which are built by KAMPO, located in the Moscow region, for the rescue forces of the Russian Navy. The boat will have a displacement of some 140 tonnes.