Ah, an opportunity to revisit the ship's namesake. First though, from The Barents Observer, May 2:
The Viktor Chernomyrdin for the first time sails into the thick sea-ice of the Yenisey Bay.
The 147 meter long vessel that is designed for Arctic operations has made its first voyage into far northern Yenisey Bay, Russian state ship operator Rosatomflot informs.
The powerful ship escorted cargo carrier Ioann Makhmastal to the icy bay where it encountered nuclear icebreaker Ural. The Ural subsequently escorted the cargo ship into the Yenisey river and to the terminal of Tanalau.
The 25 MW Viktor Chernomyrdin is the most powerful conventional icebreaker in the world. It was expected to be extensively employed in remote northern waters, but since its commissioning in November 2020, it has first of all broken ice in the Gulf of Finland.
In 2023, it for the first time sailed into Arctic waters for testing.
According to ship owner Rosmorport, the Viktor Chernomyrdin can provide not only icebreaker escorts, but also take part in Arctic research expeditions, transport containers and cargo, and operate as fire extinguishing ship....
....MORE
The article points out that Viktor Chernomyrdin was Prime Minister of Russia but he was more than that. Here's a 2020 post on the boat and the man,
"World's most powerful conventional icebreaker will rarely go Arctic"
This, as we shall see, is perfect.
From The Barents Observer:
The diesel-engined Viktor Chernomyrdin has officially entered service in the Baltic Sea. It might never be seen in Arctic waters.
With its 25 MW capacity, the new icebreaker is the most power non-nuclear icebreaker in the world. But it will still not have the Arctic has its prime operational area.
The vessel named after Russia’s late prime minister will serve in the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea, the country’s United Shipbuilding Corporation informs.
According to the shipbuilders, the 147 meter long vessel capable of breaking through up to two meter thick ice, is destined for the Gulf of Finland. But it can also work in the Arctic and the Antarctic, the Corporation adds.
The flag was raised on the vessel in a ceremony in St.Petersburg 3rd December. On site was President Putin who in a statement underlined that that the Viktor Chernomyrdin can also be applied on the Northern Sea Route....
....MUCH MORE
It was ten years ago this week that we learned of Viktor's death.
In addition to being a Prime Minister, Chernomyrdin was the head of the Russian national gas company, Gazprom. And in addition to that, he was an internationally-known, albeit decidedly Russian in tone, wordsmith. Via that decade old post:
....UPDATE: Viktor is Dead. From FP's Passport blog, Nov. 4, 2010:
Russia's Yogi Berra
Former Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 72. Best known in the West for co-chairing the Gore-Chernomyrdin Commission on nuclear safety, which largely failed in its goal of promoting bilateral cooperation between Washington and Moscow, Chernomyrdin presided over an extremely turbulent period of Russian history, including the controversial privatizations of the mid-1990s and the First Chechen War....
...Chernomyrdin is survived by ("approximately") two sons and a wealth of unforgettable lines. Here are a few of the best:
On economic reform: "We wanted better, but it turned out as always."
On his background on energy minister: "I have grown up in the atmosphere of oil and gas."
On dealing with the frequently uncooperative Duma: "Government is not the organ in which one uses his tongue only."
On Russia's unstable party system: "Whatever party we establish, it always turns out to be the Soviet Communist Party."
On his critics: "If your hands are itchy, scratch yourselves in other spots."
On the future: "We will live so well that our children and grandchildren will envy us!"
On Ukraine's Orange Revolution: "American ears are sticking out everywhere."
On his family: "I have approximately two sons."
On political efficiency: "We accomplished all items: from A to B."
On women: "You can't scare a woman with high-heeled shoes."
On language: I can talk to anyone in any language, but I try not to use that instrument."
On the life of the mind: "I am far from thought."...
