Second Ice-Class Patrol Ship Sets Afloat on Dec 14

29.11.2012 Launching ceremony of the ice-class patrol ship built by the Almaz Shipbuilding Firm (St. Petersburg) will be held on Dec 14. The ceremony will be attended by top-ranking officers of Northwest Coast Guard Dept, representatives of St. Petersburg city administration, other officials and guests, the shipyard's insider told Central Navy Portal.

Project 22120 frontier patrol ship (serial number 051) is the second ice-class patrol craft being built by the Almaz shipyard for FSB Coast Guard. The ship was laid down on Nov 25, 2011.

Lead ship, PS-824 was handed over to frontiersmen on Dec 22, 2010. It was laid down at the Almaz Marine Yard in March 2007 and was initially designed for Russian Customs Service. However, when customs officials refused to purchase the ship, marine frontiersmen took interest in her. The ship was transferred to the Almaz Shipbuilding Firm, outfitted under the Coast Guard's order and put afloat on Dec 24, 2009. Acceptance certificate was signed on Dec 22, 2010. Russian Coast Guard ensign was hoisted on Apr 29, 2011.

In the summer 2011, PS-824 left for her basing site in Sakhalin Island and arrived there on Sept 16, 2011. The ship was transferred via the Northern Sea Route.

The new ship will be constructed under advanced project with due regard to operational record of the lead ship. In particular, tophamper's design changed, the ship will be equipped with advanced communication and auxiliary facilities, crew living conditions will be considerably improved as well.