In early September, an event occurred that the Russian navy had been waiting for for several decades. After many years of construction and several months of crossing, the newest rescue vessel Igor Belousov arrived at the port of Vladivostok. The arrival of the vessel at its permanent base allows the start of its full-fledged operation in the interests of the Pacific Fleet and its submarine forces. In honor of such an event, a solemn ceremony was organized to welcome the rescue vessel, which took place on September 5.
The recently completed voyage of the Igor Belousov vessel started on the first day of summer. On June 1, the ship left the port of Baltiysk and went to the place of service. For more than three months, the ship has covered more than 14 thousand miles, and also made several visits to ports of foreign countries. The plan provided for calls to the cities of Lisbon (Portugal), Limassol (Cyprus), Salalah (Oman), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Vishakhapatnam (India) and Cam Ranh (Vietnam). The final destination of the route, laid across the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Indian and Pacific Oceans, was Vladivostok.
The Igor Belousov vessel during a recent cruise. Photo Defense.ru
After arriving in the Far East, the newest rescue vessel was able to fully join the rescue service of the Pacific Fleet. This structure of the Navy has not received such serious equipment for a long time, which is why the appearance of a new vessel will significantly increase the possibilities for rescuing those in distress. With the help of a complex of various means, the Igor Belousov vessel is capable of participating in rescue operations in case of accidents on submarines and surface ships.
The newest rescue vessel "Igor Belousov" was built according to the project 21300C "Dolphin", developed by the designers of the Central Design Bureau "Almaz" under the leadership of A. A. Forst. The goal of the project was to create a special vessel capable of rescuing the crews of ships and submarines in distress. To do this, it was required to install various equipment on the ship, including those intended for underwater work. In particular, the requirements for the project indicated the need to use a deep-sea diving complex and a rescue underwater vehicle.
Layout showing the placement of a piece of special equipment. Photo Flotprom.ru
The keel-laying of the lead vessel of project 21300C took place in December 2005 at the Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard (St. Petersburg). The vessel received the name "Igor Belousov" in honor of the famous Soviet shipbuilder and minister of the shipbuilding industry. The construction of the rescue vessel turned out to be a rather difficult task, due to which the terms of its delivery were postponed several times. In November 2011, another document appeared that stipulated the work schedule. This time, the ship was required to be handed over to the navy before the end of 2014. After the appearance of this agreement, construction work accelerated, as a result of which the lead Dolphin was launched at the end of October 2012.
After the completion of the main installation work, by the end of 2013, it was possible to start mooring tests of the vessel. About a year later, "Igor Belousov" entered the first sea trials. In parallel with the inspections of the ship, the defense industry was testing individual samples of equipment and technology proposed for use on it. In the summer of last year, the rescue vessel entered the state sea trials, which lasted until the end of the year. On December 24, this stage of inspections was completed, and the next day, an act of acceptance of the vessel was signed. On the newest rescue ship, the flag of the Navy was raised, and it was also enlisted in the 79th emergency rescue squad of the Pacific Fleet. Vladivostok was designated as the base for the ship, where it was supposed to go later.
During the first half of 2016, the crew of "Igor Belousov", headed by Captain 3rd Rank Alexei Nekhodtsev, practiced various elements of rescue operations and continued mastering special equipment. In addition, preparations were under way for a future transfer to the duty station. On the first day of summer, the rescue ship left Baltiysk and headed for Vladivostok. This voyage took just over three months. On September 5, Vladivostok received a new ship.
An early image of a rescue boat. "Admiralty shipyards" / Admship.ru
The Pacific Fleet became the first operational-strategic formation of the Russian Navy, which included the Project 21300S Dolphin rescue vessel. In the foreseeable future, it is planned to build three more such ships, which will serve in other fleets: Northern, Black Sea and Baltic. Thanks to this, all the main formations of the Navy will receive modern equipment that will ensure the safety of the crews of other ships and submarines.
The newest domestic rescue vessel carries a variety of equipment designed to help those in distress and rescue the crews of ships or submarines. One of the most important capabilities of "Igor Belousov" is the detection and assistance to submarines during accidents. The vessel can perform a number of special works, as well as carry out the evacuation of the crew of the submarine lying on the bottom. Also, the crew can carry out diving, etc. work.
Being a carrier of special equipment, the vessel of the Dolphin project has a number of characteristic design features. First of all, it is necessary to note the installation inside the hull and superstructure of various large units of the diving and deep-water complex. Also on the aft part of the deck, the project provides for the installation of cranes. The design of the vessel was developed taking into account the installation of such systems, as well as some special requirements for driving performance, maneuverability, etc.
General view of the GVK-450 complex. "Tetis Pro" / Tetis-pro.ru
Project 21300S involves the construction of ocean-going ships, which affects the hull contours and dimensions. "Igor Belousov" has a total length of 107 m with a maximum width of 17.2 m. The depth in the midship area exceeds 10 m. The layout of the hull and superstructures is determined in accordance with the goals and objectives of the vessel. So, a helipad is placed on the tank, behind which there is a relatively long superstructure with a bridge. Behind the front superstructure, after a short gap, there is another similar unit that accommodates some of the special equipment. The aft deck is where cranes, winches and other equipment are installed. The total displacement of the vessel is 5000 tons. The crew consists of 96 people.
The ship received a single energy-electrical system with full electric propulsion. The development of the energy complex was carried out at the Almaz Central Design Bureau with the participation of the Krylov State Scientific Institute. By the joint efforts of specialists from the two organizations, the most effective appearance of energy systems was formed. The power plant is based on six diesel generators. Four products of VA-1680 DGs have a capacity of 1680 kW each, two VA-1080 DGs - 1080 kW each. As an auxiliary power plant, duplicating the main one, two boilers KGV 1, 0/5-M with automated control are used.
The interior of one of the pressure chambers. "Tetis Pro" / Tetis-pro.ru
The electricity generated by the generators is supplied to two main Schorch KL6538B-AS06 electric motors of foreign production with a capacity of 3265 hp each. The engines are connected to propellers on two Aquamaster US 305FP propellers. In the bow of the hull there are two thrusters based on electric motors with a power of 680 kW each.
The used power plant allows the ship to reach speeds of up to 15 knots. With an economic speed of 12 knots, the cruising range reaches 3000 nautical miles. Autonomy for fuel and provisions - 30 days. Seaworthiness ensures a safe stay at sea without restrictions. Working with a diving bell or an underwater vehicle requires excitement of no more than 3-5 points.
One of the main elements of the special equipment offered by Project 21300C Dolphin is a deep-water diving complex. The task of this complex is to ensure the correct compression and decompression of divers or rescued submariners. All this makes it possible to increase the efficiency of diving or rescue operations. In particular, the so-called. long-term pressure method.
Bell of the GVK-450 complex. "Tetis Pro" / Tetis-pro.ru
Initially, project 21300S provided for the use of the GVK-450 diving complex, which was being created at the Lazurit Central Design Bureau. Nevertheless, for a number of reasons, in January 2011, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense decided to stop the development of this project. Instead of a domestic development complex, it was now required to use one of the similar systems offered by foreign manufacturers. Soon the British company DIVEX and the Russian company Tethys Pro were involved in the Dolphin project. The first task was to control the necessary work, and the second was to supply the required equipment. In 2013-14, a new type of deep-water diving complex was installed on the constructed vessel.
The new deep-sea diving complex includes five pressure chambers used as living and utility rooms, which allows divers or rescued submariners to stay in an atmosphere with increased pressure for the required time. In particular, it becomes possible for divers to work for a long time without the need for full decompression after each dive: during work and rest, they can be under the same pressure, and the only long-term decompression is carried out after the end of the operation.
Deep-sea rescue vehicle "Bester-1". Photo Wikimedia Commons
Four residential pressure chambers during diving operations can accommodate 12 specialists. When rescuing submariners, due to the more compact accommodation of people, the same volumes can accommodate up to 60 people. The parameters of the pressure maintenance systems allow for the compression and decompression required for staying at depths of up to 450 m. The ship's crew has the ability to constantly monitor the state of those in the diving complex and control the work of all its systems. The equipment for controlling the microclimate in residential areas is provided.
The GVK-450 complex also includes a diving bell, which is necessary for the delivery of specialists to the work site and return to the ship. The bell is a relatively compact pressure chamber with a set of various equipment. Inside it can accommodate two divers with a full set of necessary equipment, as well as one bell operator. To go to the bell, it is proposed to use a lock on one of the onboard pressure chambers of the rescue vessel. After the divers have landed, the bell is fed to a vertical shaft reaching the hatch in the bottom of the carrier vessel, and then, using a launching device, is sent to the place of work.
The descent and lifting device of the diving bell is a special crane with a lifting capacity of 12.5 tons, equipped with equipment for tracking the pitching, loads and other parameters. The tracking system of the device is responsible for maintaining the correct position of the bell, regardless of the pitching of the rescue vessel or other negative factors.
Remotely controlled vehicle "Panther Plus". Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
It is proposed to take out the crew of the submarine lying at the bottom using the Bester-1 deep-sea rescue vehicle of project 18271. This device is a small-sized submarine capable of operating at depths of up to 720 m. The device has a set of propulsion and steering systems for moving and maneuvering, as well as holding in place during docking works. The most important innovation of the project 18271 is a swinging docking chamber designed for contact with the submarine's escape hatch. By changing the position of the camera, Bester-1 can dock to submarines lying on the ground with a roll of up to 45 °. In this case, the device itself remains "on an even keel." Inside the rugged hull, there is room for 22 divers who can be rescued in a single dive.
In the transport position, the deep-sea rescue vehicle is located in the aft part of the superstructure and is removed from it using a separate crane device through a large side hatch. After lifting the victims, it is possible to dock the Bester-1 and the GVK-450 pressure chambers, after which people can stay on the ship to undergo decompression.
The Panther Plus remotely controlled underwater vehicle or HS-1200 normobaric suits can be used for the initial survey of the detected object. In the first case, the study is carried out with the help of video cameras, hydroacoustic equipment and manipulators, in the second, a diver is lowered to the object, who has a number of necessary equipment at his disposal. In addition to examining the detected object, a remotely controlled vehicle or a diver can prepare it for further work.
Normobaric suit HS-1500. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
According to available data, to search for submarines and other objects, Project 21300S rescue vessels must carry a developed complex of hydroacoustic equipment. It is planned to use the Livadia and Anapa sonar stations, the Structure-SVN sonar communication station, the Folklore navigation station, as well as a towed underwater complex with a magnetometer and side-scan sonar capable of operating at depths of up to 2 km.
Also, the ship is equipped with a variety of electronic equipment for monitoring the surrounding space, navigation, communications, determining meteorological conditions, etc.
The rescue vessel, for obvious reasons, does not receive powerful weapons, but carries some types of weapons designed for self-defense. Protection from enemy combat swimmers should be carried out using two anti-sabotage grenade launcher systems DP-65. Also, during the threatened period, the crew should be given 12 portable anti-aircraft missile systems, which can be used to counter air strikes.
The withdrawal of the Igor Belousov vessel from the boathouse to the launching floating dock, October 30, 2012. Photo by Bmpd.livejournal.com
To perform auxiliary tasks, the rescue vessel can carry two Project 21770 Katran work and rescue boats. Both boats for the Igor Belousov ship were built in 2013 and soon passed the necessary tests. In the transport position, both boats are located on lifting devices in the stern of the superstructure, behind the compartment for the deep-sea vehicle.
The lead ship of Project 21300S "Dolphin" was laid down more than ten years ago, but numerous difficulties directly related to the intended role in the fleet had a negative impact on the pace of construction. It was possible to complete the assembly of the main structures and the installation of equipment only by 2013-14, after which the first ship of the new type went out for testing. During 2014 and 2015, Igor Belousov passed factory and state tests. In addition, during this period, industry and navy specialists tested various systems, complexes and devices that were planned to be used on the new ship.
At the end of December last year, the state tests of the new rescuer ended with the signing of an act of delivery to the customer. The raising of the flag of the navy took place, as well as the enrollment of the vessel in one of the divisions. Nevertheless, for the next few months, the Pacific Fleet vessel remained in the Baltic Sea. It was only at the beginning of summer that it went to its place of permanent deployment.
The vessel during sea trials, winter 2015 Photo Militaryrussia.ru
According to various statements by officials, a total of four Project 21300S Dolphin rescue vessels are planned to be built. The lead ship has already been built, delivered to the Navy and included in the Pacific Fleet. Three more ships can be built for other operational and strategic formations. However, contracts for the construction of new ships have not yet been signed. In addition, the timing of the appearance of these documents remains unknown. At the moment, there are only some estimates that may not be justified in the future.
According to the latest data, the second rescuer of project 21300C may be laid down at the end of 2017. Such dates for the possible start of construction at the end of last year were indicated by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Vice-Admiral Viktor Buruk. According to the Vice Admiral, the construction of the second vessel of the series will begin only after the head vessel has completed practical descents of a deep-sea vehicle and a diving bell, as well as the necessary experience in operating the equipment by the fleet will be obtained. Based on the results of the operation of "Igor Belousov", a list of necessary improvements can be formed, which must be approved in the future, which will make it possible to adjust the original design and build new ships.
Aft part of the ship, cranes and work and rescue boats are visible. Photo Bastion-karpenko.ru
To obtain the required operating experience of the lead rescue vessel and its special equipment, to create an updated project and other works, it takes some time. Because of this, over the next few years, the Russian Navy will have only one vessel of project 21300S. According to various estimates, the second ship of the series may appear no earlier than the end of this decade. The third and fourth sisterships of "Igor Belousov", respectively, will enter service even later.
Nevertheless, even the latest events in the context of Project 21300C Dolphin are of great importance for the Russian Navy. For the first time in several decades, the fleet received the latest rescue vessel, equipped with modern equipment for various purposes and capable of helping ships and submarines in distress. So far, the Navy has only one new vessel, but in the future several more samples of such equipment should be built, which will allow to cover current needs and expand the capabilities of the emergency rescue service.
