Almost repaired salvage ship was decommissioned from the Navy

02.02.2011 Salvage ship Karpaty was decommissioned from Russian Navy while her repair had been almost completed, said director general of JSC Baltspetsflot Andrei Shpigel at the press conference on current problems of Baltic Fleet held on Jan 31 in RIA Novosti media center.

According to Mr. Shpigel, repair works over salvage ship Karpaty which has been staying at Kronshtadt shipyard for years were 85% completed. Main propulsion plant was replaced, new generators and compressors were mounted, shaft lines and screws were changed, and hull works were done. Hundreds of kilometers of cables were renewed; special salvage equipment (pressure chambers, rescue bell etc.) was overhauled during repair works. The vessel built in 1967 in Nikolayev was equipped with unique salvage and diving facilities still having no analogs in Russian Navy.

The ship repair lasted 15 years due to lack of financing and interior problems of the yard. Karpaty was going to be the last ship for Kronshtadt shipyard before its disbandment.

The ship's naval ensign was hauled down in Sept 2009. Karpaty was decommissioned from Baltic Fleet then. Equipped with brand-new main and auxiliary powerplants as well as interior outfit, the ship now stays idle in Srednyaia Bay, Kronshtadt abiding her fate.

At present, Russian Navy has no salvage ships with technical capabilities similar to Karpaty. New ship – Igor Belousov – was laid down at Admiralteyskie Verfi in 2005 and is still under construction due to poor financing.