11.08.2009FSB's coast guard in Murmansk has received a new vessel to use in the fight against poachers. Sprut was supposed to become the first in a series of modern coast guard vessels, but the project is now terminated.
The new coast guard vessel is built at the The Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad and was originally planned to be the first in the Sprut series. According to TV Murman, the project has been cancelled and the only completed vessel received the name Sprut. It will be based in Murmansk.
Building of the vessel started in 2002, but was delayed because of financial problems and was not completed until October 2007.
The vessel is equipped with the most modern technology, which makes it possible to have a crew of only 15. In addition, the vessel can take up to 10 inspectors and border guard representatives. The vessel can be armed if necessary. Sprut series vessels have a deadweight of 835 tons, are 66 meters long and can make 22 knots.