Scientists estimate that about a fifth of the entire surface of our planet is covered with ice.And his number is almost 35 times the volume of water in all the lakes and rivers.To move through the endless frozen spaces needed special vessels - icebreakers.They are a powerful component of the Russian fleet.The history of these courts has dozens of years.A nuclear ship is no longer in any country in the world!The world's first nuclear-powered icebreaker to the power plant was launched almost sixty years ago in the Soviet Union.Today, armed with the Russian fleet is 7 atomic ships.
powerful and manoeuvrable are icebreakers such as "Captain Sorokin."What tasks such ships operate, what their history, design features and expected prospects for the development of the Arctic fleet?We learn from the article.
history icebreakers in the Russian
first ships to move in the ice were built almost two hundred years ago in North America.They were steam and had many shortcomings that reduce their effectiveness.In the last century they significantly upgraded.
court Steam high power - one of the first was the Soviet icebreaker "Siberia" - could be in the open sea up to three weeks, and the new diesel-electric - twice as long, up to forty days.
Given the importance of the Soviet Union for navigating through the northern route, it was necessary to equip the fleet with the latest technology.And in 1959, the water was launched the world's first nuclear-powered icebreaker, which was called "Lenin".His appearance greatly facilitate navigation along the Northern route.
Today Russian fleet includes two varieties of ice-breakers: diesel electric vessels and nuclear submarines
Where used icebreakers?The design of the vessel
Icebreakers made a major contribution to the study of the Northern Sea Route.They are used primarily to ensure the free movement of ships following them.In addition, they are used for maintenance and evacuation of research expeditions, as well as for the delivery of a variety of goods to remote areas of the Arctic and Antarctic.
In order to successfully perform these difficult tasks, you need a special ship.Icebreaker has a distinctive design that enables it to pave the way, where is unattainable for other vessels.In particular this applies to the special shape of the nose, and the barrel-shaped body.Because of this ship can go on the ice to break through your weight.
unusual shape of the stern (M-shaped) allows you to tow other vessels.Used diesel-electric or nuclear installation makes the ship powerful and maneuverable.It also allows for greater autonomy of the vessel, after refueling in the endless expanse of ice is almost impossible.
icebreaker "Kapitan Sorokin»
great success achieved in the Soviet winter navigation 1977-1978.It was then launched on the famous icebreaker "Kapitan Sorokin."He, like the other ships of this type, was created on the Finnish shipyard "Wärtsilä".They were built for the Soviet Union, Finland and Argentina.Then "Captain Sorokin" as an experiment carried out at the port of Dudinka transport vessels "Pavel Ponomarev" and "Navarino".Thus, for the first time it demonstrated the possibility of year-round Arctic navigation.It was a tremendous achievement, which made it the first Soviet icebreakers.
Six years ago, "Captain Sorokin" was instructed to meet in the Gulf of round the world regatta Volvo Ocean Race, which is then finished in St. Petersburg.On board, among others, were journalists and cameramen.
Now "Captain Sorokin" is also in operation.
other icebreakers of this type
As mentioned earlier, the icebreaker "Kapitan Sorokin" - is not the only vessel of this type, which is part of the Russian fleet.In all there are four such ships.They were launched one after another in the years 1977-1981.Named after the legendary polar four captains - Sorokin, Nikolaev, Dranitsyna and Khlebnikov - they are a bulwark of the icebreaker fleet.
Vessels of this type are double-decker diesel electric ship.Icebreaker bow, transom and equipped with a helipad can achieve maximum effectiveness of Arctic navigation.
references in art
Interestingly, the icebreaker "Kapitan Sorokin" was famous not only for its Arctic voyage.In 1979 on it was filmed documentary Yuri Vizbora.The film was called "Murmansk-198" and was dedicated to the hard work of seafarers working on icebreakers.
also about "Captain Sorokin," the song says Yu Vizbora called "snowy owl".
icebreaker in Russia today
modern Russian fleet includes the nuclear-powered icebreakers with installing and diesel electric ship.According to recent reports, there are just 44 vessels in operation.Five of them - nuclear.In 2007, it was completed and commissioned a ship called "50 Years of Victory".It is noteworthy that this is the largest icebreaker in the world.It is characterized by a different, compared to other courts, shape of the nose, allowing more efficient to break through the ice.It serves mainly to escort convoys in the cold Arctic seas.But it is also an icebreaker used to carry passengers and cruises.At the disposal of the passenger vessel - pool, sauna, restaurant, library.
especially worth noting the powerful Soviet icebreaker "Arktika" (later renamed "Leonid Brezhnev").His undoubted importance lies in the fact that he was the very first reached the North Pole.
current nuclear submarines make it possible each year to transport about five million tons of cargo.
Thus, the modern Russian icebreaker - a combination of power and maneuverability, speed and reliability.Leading the way through the frozen Arctic seas, he embodies the power of the domestic fleet.
Festival icebreakers
For seventy-year anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War was timed grand festival, which was attended by the country's most powerful icebreakers.He was the only one of its kind and was held in the waters of the Big Neva.All guests of the maritime festival could freely visit represented the court.
Among them was the icebreaker "Kapitan Sorokin," and the famous "Ivan Kruzenshtern», constantly releasing water spaces between the capital and the northern Baltic Sea.It was also possible to admire the colossal "St. Petersburg" and "Moscow".Strong body and the dimensions of these ships allow them to pass easily through ice up to one meter thick, and be accompanied by large ships and wrecks to look at a considerable depth.
Visitors to the festival were able to witness the powerful icebreaker fleet of Russia.And at the very end of the festival could be seen an amazing, exciting spectacle - a parade of ships under the support of a live orchestra - "Maritime Waltz."
Icebreakers future
Speaking of modern icebreakers, we can not look into the future of these vessels.To date, the development and construction of new ships becomes an acute need.At last count, the Russian fleet needs in six modern nuclear-powered ships.What will become ice-breaker of the future?
the next seven years it is planned to build three nuclear-powered powerful next, already the third generation.Projects of this type promise of icebreakers to achieve a much greater speed, strength and autonomy.Currently underway is working on a new ship "Arctic" third generation.According to calculations, the icebreaker will be swimming in the open for up to seven years.
assumed that this ship will be the largest in the world, an unparalleled and unique in many parameters.The creation of this ship will open a new page in the history of the icebreaker fleet.It can be assumed that a breakthrough in shipbuilding will allow more detailed study of the Arctic and find places not previously mapped.
