The hydrographic boats Raskat, Zarya, and Voskhod have joined the fleet of the FSUE “Rosmorport” Astrakhan Branch. The first of these vessels has commenced operations following the installation of its echo sounders. Built at the Samara Shipyard, these vessels will perform depth measurements in the waters of the seaport of Astrakhan and along the Volga-Caspian Sea Shipping Canal (VCSSC).

All three boats are constructed based on the AMG 112 project, featuring a hull length of 7.8 meters, a width of 2.4 meters, and a maximum draft of 0.4 meters. The crew consists of two members. Each vessel is equipped with two outboard engines with a combined power of 280 horsepower and can reach speeds of up to 25 knots, although hydrographic surveying is conducted at a low speed of 3-4 knots.

The closed single-hull vessels are made of marine-grade aluminum, and the design incorporates a stationary setup for the technological equipment and measurement system. The superstructure on a deck includes a cabin and a salon with a workstation for the hydrographer, as well as two access points at the bow and the stern.

The vessels can operate during navigation periods in the waters of maritime ports and coastal areas, with a distance from a place of refuge or shore of up to 6 nautical miles and with wave heights of up to 1.2 meters.

According to Artem Kurochkin, Deputy Director for Operations of the FSUE “Rosmorport” Astrakhan Branch, hydrographic equipment has already been installed on the Raskat boat. The vessel has started working in the waters of the seaport of Astrakhan. The Zarya is currently undergoing trials and will soon commence depth measurements, while the Voskhod will be equipped with the necessary equipment afterward.

At present, depth surveys in the waters of the seaport of Astrakhan and along the VCSSC are conducted by the vessels of the branch: Luch, Pyotr Bakanov and Relief. The new vessels will significantly enhance the capacity for hydrographic research along the canal, a key segment of the North-South international transport corridor.

Last year, the Astrakhan Branch's fleet was joined by the service and patrol vessel Rubin of project 820 T, also built at the Samara Shipyard. This vessel can transport up to 11 people, and its 300-horsepower engine can reach speeds of up to 30 knots.

In 2023, unprecedented efforts were undertaken at the VCSSC to ensure safe navigation following the directive of Russian President Vladimir Putin to achieve a canal draught of no less than 4.5 meters. FSUE “Rosmorport” has successfully accomplished this objective and continues to maintain the necessary depth throughout the canal.