Dmitry Smirnov: "Morspassluzhba of Rosmorrechflot fulfills all obligations of Russia under international conventions"
First Deputy Head of the Federal Basin Administration (FBA) "Morspassluzhba of Rosmorrechflot" Dmitry Smirnov told about results of emergency response and rescue operations in 2015 in an interview with IAA PortNew
- Mr. Smirnov, please tell about the fleet of Morspassluzhba? Do you expect delivery of new ships in 2016?
- Currently Morspassluzhba fleet comprises 134 vessels. But this is only 69% of the standard fleet required for salvage units of Rosmorrechflot (Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport of Russia) to meet the challenges of search and rescue (SaR) of people and salvage of stricken ship at sea, to recover oil spills and marine accidents.
In 2016 we expect to take delivery of three new vessels from the shipyards where we placed orders. Two A40-2B-DM series SaR / oil boom workboats for Morspassluzhba are under construction at Yaroslavsky Shipyard. Another tug of project TG-17 with FF class is being built at Okskaya Shipyard, Nizhny Novgorod region.
- Since the number of fleet falls short of the standard, is Morspassluzhba ready to perform its functions? What are the prospects of the fleet's further expansion?
- Russia fully fulfills its obligations under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue. However, the current composition of the fleet is not sufficient to carry out search and rescue public tasks in the regions of the Russian Federation. Besides, such vessels as 1454-series rescue tugs like the Kapitan Beklemishev (we have 5 such ships) or supply vessels of Project-92 the Kapitan Martyshkin (also 5 units) have been operated for over 25 years! They require special technical maintenance, requiring additional expenses.
Our fleet expansion program is quite ambitious, but don't have enough funds to acquire all of them.
In 2017-2018 we plan to build at Russian shipyards nine new ships. The newbuilds package includes four SaR/ oil boom workboats of project A40-2B-Yar. We expect Yaroslavsky Shipyard to deliver two ships of the series in 2017 and the remaining two in 2018.
Four multipurpose shallow draft 2.5-3 MW rescue tugboats of project MPSV12 are under construction at Leningrad region, Shlisselburg based Nevsky Shipbuilding Ship Repair Yard. Two vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2017 and two in 2018.
An A160 Yar-series offshore diving support boat is scheduled for delivery from Yaroslavsky Shipyard in 2017.
Given that between 2016 and 2018 at least aged 12 vessels are to be decomissioned due to exceeded service life, Morspassluzhba's fleet number will include the same 134 units, or 67% of the standard requirements.
- Please tell us about your plans in 2016.
- In 2016 we plan to further expansion of multipurpose salvage fleet. We continue to strengthen our capabilities in the Arctic region, on the Northern Sea Route and in Port Sabbeta. I am sure that our work is very important for economic development and the security of our country.
- Do you plan to apply cutting-edge technologies to respond to oil spills, for example, in-situ burning (ISB) of oil spilled at sea by laser ignition?
- FBA "Morspassluzhba Rosmorrechflot" uses the proven technology of oil spill response adopted worldwide and shown in practice its results. Any advanced technology, including ISB require long-term studies at scientific and industrial institutions, targeted funding to develop appropriate methods, purchase of equipment for rescue fleet. After that, having proven positive results, it will be possible to start applying this technology, gaining maritime experience.
In conclusion I would like to note that FBA "Marine Rescue Service of Rosmorrechflot" fully complies with the obligations imposed on the Russian Federation by international conventions.
Interviewed by Nadezhda Malysheva.