On April 29, 2014, Nizhegorodsky Teplokhod Shipyard OJSC (ZNT Yard) launched the offshore search-and-rescue (SAR) boat of ZNT 23040 design (hull number 1106) ordered for the Russian Defence Ministry, the company’s press center says.
The boat will then undergo mooring and sea trials as well as state tests and will be delivered to the port of destination by the end of summer.
23040 project boat is a continuation of a series of ten diving boats (project А160, construction numbers 801-810) built by ZNT Yard in 2010-2012 for the state sea rescue service Gosmorspassluzhba, and diving boat Pelikan (project ZT28D) developed by the shipyard’s design department.
As compared with the most known Flamingo boats and their successors, boats of project 14157, these rescue boats have larger dimensions, higher specific power and ice class, which enables them to work at and beyond the roads, of up to 50 miles from shelter.
According to ZNT Chief Designer Andrey Chichagov, the boat’s additional function is the possibility to conduct search/examination/inspection works with the help of small-size remotely operated vehicle and towed sonar. Besides, joystick control is a novelty for such boats.
Vessel's general characteristics: length overall – 28.09 m, breadth overall – 5.56 m, depth aforeship – 3.4 m, draft – 1.5 m, full displacement – about 118 tonnes, main engine - 2х441 kW, diesel-generator - 2х80 kW, emergency diesel generator - 1х20 kW, operational speed – about 13.7±0.3 knots. Accommodation for 3 crew and 5 divers.
In late March, 2013, ZNT Yard OJSC signed a state contract for construction of 16 search-and-rescue boats (project 23040) by the order of RF Defense Ministry.
The first four vessels were built and delivered to Black Sea Fleet of Russian Navy (Novorossiysk) by the end of 2013.
The programme of the current year numbers 6 boats: 3 for the Caspian Flotilla (Astrakhan), 3 – for the Baltic Fleet (Kronshtadt).
The programme 2015 includes 6 boats for the Baltic Fleet (Kronshtadt).
ZNT Yard OJSC was set up in 1911. The main competence of ZNT Yard is construction of workboats and auxiliary ships, port equipment and marine engineering products. The company is experienced in implementation of complete cycle projects – from designing to building and maintenance of different vessels.