20 April 2012

News Story: INS Vikramaditya Prepares for Taking Sea


Igor Leonov, construction manager of Project 11430 aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya modernized by Sevmash shipyard for Indian Navy, told about works scheduled in April to prepare the ship for sea trials starting on May 25, reports the shipyard's press service. 

According to Leonov, works planned for March have been almost completed. Final finishing of internal premises and assembling of shipborne furniture have been executed. Tanker Chaika pumped 3,600 tons of fuel into the ship. Tugs of the yard's water transport department did their job excellently and tugged the non-ice harbor tanker aboard the carrier. 

Two critical issues remained uncompleted, i.e. startup of refrigerating machines and fixture of search-and-rescue equipment. The first problem needed personnel replacements, and the second one delayed for 10 days. This was because drawings of equipment fixtures did not match those on the ship, so additional works were needed. 

Late in March, a contingency happened; smoke flue of one of eight boilers was damaged. The accident causes are being currently investigated. The boiler itself and charging turbine set were not damaged and are fully serviceable. Upon delivery of new expansion joints from St. Petersburg, the smoke flue will be completely repaired till sea trials begin. 

Read the ful story at RusNavy