How long do ships live? The Commune ship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet based in Sevastopol is the oldest vessel of the Russian Navy which is 99 years old.

On November 12, 2012 the ship will celebrate its 100 anniversary. The project of the submarine rescuer was developed in 1911 and the ship was called Commune in 1922.

The rescue ship is still in service but periodically undergoes some repairs. It is 81 m long, and 13,2 m deep.

Let us board the vessel and look at it closer.

The ship had been used since 1915. It participated in World War I and II, as well as Revolution.

‘Putilov Dockyard’

Between the board of the catamaran vessel there is a mobile platform with a descending undersea vehicle.

The undersea vehicle can be descended 1 km deep.

The undersea vehicle is intended for searching and detection of submarines and elevation of loads up to 150 km, cutting cables, etc.

The vehicle is supplied with 10 engines that make it extremely mobile.

The manipulator cuts metal and cables located 1 km deep.

All electronic systems are based in the yellow capsules. While placing them underwater, they are deprived of air providing for complete encapsulation.

The equipment is made in Norway.

Old elements such as the steering-wheel were here in 1915.

The vessel is standing next to Sevastopol not far from the Ukrainian ships.

The upper projector.

The highest deck is situated 20 m above the sea level.

These devices point at the length of anchor chains.

The engine space.

The system of alarm signals used in case of emergency: fire in the place, flooding of the place, everybody, leave the room.

Room number 2, food handler.

The sailors are going to have dinner soon.

The piano was installed at the time of the ship construction. Now it is impossible to take it out because it is too big for the newly made narrow doors.

Left helm! Right helm!

This is the way Russian words were written before the Revolution.

The ship will accompany Neptune during the celebration of the Navy Day of Russia celebrated on 19 July of 2012 and is painted and renewed due to the event.

For the first time the vessel was used according to its designated purpose in 1917 when a submarine sank. In spite of severe storm, the submarine was taken to the surface, repaired and exploited again.

In the beginning of the WWII the Commune ship was based in Leningrad. Its crew elevated four tanks, two tractors and 31 cars and repaired six submarines. The list of saved objects was long enough. In total, the Commune rendered help to over 100 ships and submarines.

In 1967 the vessel reached Sevastopol and was reequipped into a carrier of deep-operating vehicle the cost of which accounted for 11 million rubles.

It was repaired and is currently actively participating in rescuing procedures.

Location: Sevastopol

via aquatek-filips