MOSCOW, September 7. /TASS/. The Russian Navy oceangoing rescue vessel Igor Belousov has had the Pantera Plus remotely controlled deep-operating vehicle down to 1,000 m at a deep corner of the Atlantic during its factory sea trials, Igor Dygalo, Russian Defense Ministry press officer for the Navy, told journalists.
The Pantera Plus is in service with the search and rescue services of the fleets of the Russian Navy. It can operate at a depth of as much as 1,000 m. The submersible is fitted with two hydraulic manipulators that can mount extra equipment, such as cable cutters, a disc saw and a monitor to wash off mud. Operators onboard a naval rescue vessel of any type can monitor the submersible via rear-view video cameras and two remotely controlled enhanced-sensitivity cameras sitting near the manipulators.
Owing to its powerful propulsion plant, the Pantera Plus features high agility and can carry search and rescue equipment and tools, which is important for rescuing a submarine in distress.
The Igor Belousov rescue vessel will enter the Russian Navy inventory before year-end. It is the Project 21300S lead vessel built by the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg. The Igor Belousov is designed to rescue the crews of bottomed and surfaced submarines and to supply air, power and rescue aids to submarines and surface ships. In addition, the vessel is able to search for and examine ships in distress, including doing so as part of international maritime rescue task forces.
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