Caspian Flotilla Receives New Harbor Tug

26.10.2012 In accordance with the navy rearmament program, JSC Astrakhan Ship Repair Plant have built and delivered a new harbor hug RB-259.

Caspian Flotilla (CF) state acceptance board signed documents commissioning the new vessel into the CF auxiliary fleet.

When the acceptance certificate is approved by the Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief, the new harbor tug RB-259 will be handed over to Caspian Flotilla.

Project 705B harbor tug was deigned specially for Caspian Sea and estuary of the Volga River. The ship is equipped with up-to-date navigation aids GLONASS, communication and automation equipment. Basic features of the ship is high navigability and shallow draft (0.28 meters) making possible to navigate in shallow waters of the Volga River, the Volga-Caspian Canal, and northern zones of the Caspian Sea. Two 800-shp powerful engines are capable to tow any ship of Caspian Flotilla.

Full speed of the tug is 12 knots; she is designed for towage of ships in littoral sea areas, bringing grounded ships afloat, pushing and mooring operations.

RB-259 is the third auxiliary ship built by Astrakhan Ship Repair Plant for Caspian Flotilla. First two, RB-39 and RB-10 were commissioned in Nov 2011 and June 2012 respectively.

In addition, the shipyard completes a new Project 22870 salvage ship to be commissioned into Caspian Flotilla early in 2013.