RF Transport Ministry insists on early financing of operations to transfer RF Navy cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov from berth No33 of port Novorossiysk (Krasnodar territory) to a different place, probably Novorossiysk ship repair yard. According to IAA PortNews reporter, this idea was expressed on Friday at the meeting of the Presidium of Marine Board under RF Government (Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin) by Victor Olersky, Deputy Transport Minister of the Russian Federation.
He reminded that in 2003, the ship was placed at berth No 33 for 2 months to wait for repair. However, the cruiser has been waiting for 10 years already while the berth being in the economic jurisdiction of the Russian Federation is required for SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2014. The Regatta participants will call at port Novorossiysk in May 2014. Seven A class yacht have already applied for participation. If more than 8-9 ships of this class participate in the event, they will require the berth No 33.
Victor Olersky says the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defense have come to oral agreement on transfer of the ship to Novorossiysk ship repair yard. The financial issue is nearing approval.
The Mikhail Kutuzov cruiser was built in 1952. A museum was opened there in 2002. The cruiser is 210 meters long. The ship’s breadth is 22 meters.
SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2014 is a unique maritime event set to take place on the Black Sea in Spring 2014, first time under the Russian flag. It will host sailing ships of all descriptions, including famous Russian Tall Ships: Mir, Kruzenshtern, Sedov and Nadezhda. The Regatta will cross the Black Sea twice and ancor in four ports: Varna, Novorossiysk, Sochi and Constanta.