On December 6, 2016, Pella Shipyard (Leningrad Region) launched a new tugboat of Project 16609 (RB-2180) built for RF Defence Ministry, says the Ministry’s PR Department.
As Captain I Rank Anzor Dandamayev, Head of the Naval Training Service for crews of RF Navy’s supply ships, said at the ceremony, “it is the ninth tugboat in the series which is to be continued as the vessels feature high reliability and maneuverability allowing for their deployment in all fleets of RF Navy”.
Vadim Podosochny, Deputy Director General of Pella OJSC, emphasized in his turn that “tugboats of Project 16609 feature high level of automation allowing, if necessary, for one-man operation”.
The tugboat is intended for towing and berthing operations in harbor and coastal areas which comply with R2 navigation area (not more than 100 miles from place of shelter), performing of escort operations at the speed of 10 knots, refloating of ships and vessels, fire fighting operations at floating and shore objects, oil and petroleum content products, cargo transportation, ice breaking and rescue and special purpose operations as well.
SC Pella Shipyard based in Russia’s Leningrad region was founded in 1950. In 1992 Pella was privatized as Pella Holding Co. comprising the head office and several subsidiaries. The shipbuilding firm specializes in building tractor tugs with rated power of 1,000hp to 5,000hp, push boats, escort tugs, pilot boats and SAR boats for Russian and foreign customers.