Towing of crab catcher vessel “Captain Firsov”



Project Summary: 

  • Duration: November 4–13, 2024
  • Route: Lake Onega → River Svir → Lake Ladoga → River Neva → Neva Bay (Gulf of Finland)
  • Involved Fleet: Pusher tug Vityaz (OT-2400)
  • Towed Vessel: Crab catcher of project CCa5712LS Captain Firsov

▸ Dimensions: 57.7 x 12.6 x 7.5 m
▸ Air draft: 25 m
▸ Transit draft: 3.1 m
▸ Transit displacement: approximately 1,400 tons

Project Fleets: 
Флот / Fleet / Буксир-толкач ВИТЯЗЬ / Pusher Tug VITYAZ
Pusher Tug «Vityaz»

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION:

The pusher tug Vityaz was engaged in towing the crab catcher vessel, serving as a stern assisting tug to ensure safe towing in tandem with the lead tug along the Svir and Neva rivers.

During the transit across Lake Onega and Lake Ladoga, Vityaz accompanied the convoy as a standby/emergency tug.

Before the towing operation began, a towing project was developed and approved by the classification society. A special inspection of the vessel was conducted, resulting in an official certificate issued by the society’s inspector, authorizing the tow.

A favorable weather window coincided with the arrival of Vityaz at the pier and the readiness of the towed vessel for transit across Lake Onega. Before proceeding from the River Svir to Lake Ladoga, the team waited for optimal weather conditions from the evening of November 8 to the morning of November 10, 2024.

The significant air draft of the towed vessel (25 meters) and its windage created additional challenges when navigating through locks and tight turns along the river.

The crew worked under tight deadlines, as the locks on the Volga-Baltic Waterway were scheduled to close at 24:00 on November 15, 2024.

The photo gallery includes photos of the authors:  Morwenna Shipping Company Ltd,  Russky Krab, Sudostroenie.info.