In Baltiysk, the ceremony of the first raising of the auxiliary fleet flag and the commissioning of the small sea tanker "Valentin Rykov" of Project 03182 into the Baltic Fleet took place. The vessel was built at the "Volga" shipyard. The ritual of the first flag raising was performed by the tanker's commander, Andrey Lobanov.

Characteristics of the "Valentin Rykov" vessel

The "Valentin Rykov" is an Arc4 ice-class vessel. It is designed for transporting and transferring liquid and dry cargo, supplying ships, collecting waste, patrolling, rescue operations, towing — and can even operate as a fire-fighting vessel.

Full displacement — 3500 tons, cargo capacity — 1350 tons, length — 78.8 m. There is a helicopter pad on board for Ka-27 helicopters.

Crew — 24 people, plus space for eight more.

Tests of the small sea tanker "Valentin Rykov"

The commissioning into the fleet was preceded by successful factory sea trials and state tests at sea ranges. In the Baltic Sea, the crew, together with representatives of the manufacturer, conducted maneuvering and speed tests, checked the operation of all units, systems and components, as well as navigation and radio-technical equipment.

Who was Valentin Rykov

The tanker is named after the Soviet naval submariner Valentin Pavlovich Rykov (1926–2015) — the first commander of the nuclear submarine K-52, which made the first voyage under the pack ice between Franz Josef Land and Spitsbergen Island.