The oldest RS-classed icebreaker celebrates its 100th anniversary
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) participated in the ceremonies dedicated to the 100th anniversary of icebreaker "Krasin".
The ship was constructed at the English shipyard Armstrong Whitworth & Co. after the drawings of Vice-Admiral S.O. Makarov by order of Nicholas II, the Emperor of Russia, and the General Directorate of Shipbuilding. Survey during construction of the most powerful icebreaker at that time was carried out by the Russian Register (the agreement for the RS survey during construction was signed on 1 January 1916). The construction had been completed by September, 1917. Arkhangelsk became the ship’s port of registry.
At present "Krasin" is the oldest icebreaker with valid RS class. Class notation: KE*[1] R3. The ship is subject to regular surveys in compliance with the applicable RS requirements. In 2014, the scheduled dry docking of the ship was performed at Kronstadt Marine Plant under the RS survey.
During construction the icebreaker was named "Svyatogor" in honour of the Russian epic hero. In August 1918, the troops of invaders approaching Arkhangelsk, the Military Council of the city ordered to scuttle "Svyatogor" in the estuary of the Northern Dvina. The ship was not fully submerged, it was raised by the English military units and was flying the flag of England until 1921. In 1920, the icebreaker was involved in the large-scale international rescue operation of the icebreaking steamer "Solovei Budimirovich" ice-bound in the Kara Sea with 85 persons on board, including women and children. Chartered in England, "Svyatogor" flying the Norwegian flag managed to forge through the ice and perform the rescue operation.
In 1922, owing to the efforts of the Soviet Government and, in particular, the participation in the negotiations of Leonid Krasin, the USSR authorized and trade representative, the ship was bought back for 75 000 GBP. From 1922 to 1926 the icebreaker assisted the passage of transport ships in the Baltic Sea. In 1927 the ship was renamed "Krasin".
Rescue operation of the General Umberto Nobile’s expedition on the Italian airship "Italy" wrecked near the North Pole on 25 May, 1928, became a real triumph for the icebreaker. Almost all the European countries were trying to render assistance to the aeronauts, but only "Krasin" managed to accomplish this challenging task.
In 1942, "Krasin" joined the Allied Convoy PQ-15, which delivered strategic cargo and military machinery sent to the USSR by the Allies from Scotland to Murmansk. Until the end of the war, the icebreaker was engaged in the escorting the ships with strategically significant cargo in the seas of the Soviet sector of the Arctic.
In 1972, "Krasin" was handed over to the Ministry of Geology of the USSR, and was operated as research vessel in the Barents and Greenland Seas, in the Arctic Ocean near Spitsbergen; the ship was also operated as a floating station to provide power supply and essential services of the Arctic drilling unit.
Today, icebreaker "Krasin" is an affiliate of the World Ocean Museum.
Established in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is one of the leading classification societies. Recognised by the European Union. Member of IACS. The RS activity is aimed at enhancing high standards of maritime safety and minimising the negative impact of human activities on the environment through scientifically based risk assessment and risk management procedures.
