SALVAGE TUG FOTIY KRYLOV

Photo: Captain Herbie Scott

Not strictly a supply vessel but definitely a craft worthy of a look, this rare beast was sighted in the Azores. One assumes it is on winter station waiting for some misfortune to befall an aging commercial vessel in the Atlantic storms. The detail of the stern, not visible in this photograph shows that it is a genuine salvage tug, and is not able to turn its hand to lifting anchors for oil rigs.

Sistership:

Nickolay Chiker

Photo: Vic Gibson

The Nickolay Chiker at anchor outside Falmouth. The locals said that as soon as the Coastguard tug departed after the winter this ship arrived. While this seems almost predatory - lurking off the coast with the expectation of a marine disaster, one should remember that in days gone by salvage tugs were stationed all over the world waiting for the SOS. The rescue of disabled vessels was their business and the mariners were very pleased to see them.

They are owned by the Russians  and operated by Tsavliris the Athens based salvage company.
It was built in Finland in 1989.  It is powered by 4 Warsila 12V32D diesels which give a total of 24,480 BHP.
Full speed on four engines is 19.5 knots at which it burns 85 tonnes per day.  Overall length is 99 meters.