Professor Molchanov

File:Barentsberg quay.jpg

Professor Molchanov at bay in Barentsburg.

Professor Molchanov (Russian: «Профессор Молчанов») is a Russian (formerly Soviet) Finnish-built Oceanographic Ice-Class Research Vessel now converted to passenger duties for the expedition cruise market. It was named after Pavel Molchanov, radiosonde inventor, on his 90th anniversary.

Research vessel

The 72 metre, 1753-ton Professor Molchanov was built in Finland for the Soviet Union on December 28, 1982 and used in the USSR between January 26, 1983 and September 7, 1991 for polar and oceanographic research. As a Soviet research vessel it made 34 research cruises, including three global expeditions held by Murmansk Hydrometeorological Administration:

• April 28, 1984 - June 10, 1984, through North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Northeastern Atlantic Ocean, Barents Sea conducting research in hydrology
• September 19, 1989 - November 30, 1989, through Greenland Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea - hydrology
• December 12, 1989 - February 22, 1990, through Norwegian Sea, South Atlantic Ocean, Barents Sea, North Sea, North Atlantic Ocean - hydrology

Passenger ship

The ship has been converted for passenger use, the vessel is suited for expedition cruising.

Technical data

• IMO: 8010348
• MMSI: 273458500
• Call sign: UAKA
• Length: 69.7m
• Breadth: 12.8m
• Draft: 4.5m
• GRT: 1753 tons
• Engines: 2 Diesel ME, 3120 HP
• Ice Class: UL
• Speed: 10 knots
• Crew: 32
• Passengers: 48
• Registry: Russia

External links

• Adventure Associates Deck plans and itineraries