In May 2016, the icebreaker "Captain Khlebnikov" celebrated its 35th anniversary. The ship was built in Finland in 1981. It bears the name of the famous person in the USSR, Yu. K. Khlebnikov (1900-1976). A lot can be said about the polar captain, participant in the Great Patriotic War, holder of the Nakhimov Order and other high awards of the Soviet Union. We confine ourselves to the following information: he commanded the icebreaker “Alexander Sibiryakov”, the icebreakers “Litke”, “North Wind” and others. The ship named after him is more modest in his merits, but strives to overcome the challenge. It is possible that "Captain Khlebnikov" is about to fall into the Guinness Book of Records.
Round Greenland
What kind of miraculous action is preparing to present to the world a tourist icebreaker with a displacement of fifteen thousand tons, a hundred and thirty long, more than 24 wide, with a side height of just over twelve meters, “running” at a speed of up to 35.2 km / h (18 knots)? How did the friendly crew of 59 FESCO sailors decide to glorify themselves (the so-called transport group, which owns the icebreaker, was rented by a North American company under a time-charter agreement)?
It is known that in the summer of 2016 with tourists from different countries aboard the Captain Khlebnikov sailed to the Arctic, intending to go around Greenland. The difficult task was not chosen by chance. The legendary hard icebreaker is designed to plow the polar seas, overcoming conditions of any complexity.
Not one the other from the cohort of expedition vessels is not able to move in polar waters. As you know, "Captain Khlebnikov" was the first ship that managed to go around Antarctica with passengers on board. A little bit about the dates from the history of the icebreaker: he became a tourist in 1992, in the wake of perestroika in the former Soviet society. From 1992 to 2011 he traveled to the Arctic (in summer) and to Antarctica (in winter). From 2012 to 2015, he was temporarily “resting”.
Vessel Overview
The long-awaited return to the system occurred in March 2015. Then the course was taken for the Arctic season of 2016. The smallest details were calculated. Because any mistake in the ice is especially expensive. As you know, "Captain Khlebnikov" is staffed with highly qualified Russian officers and crew (representatives of different countries).
On board there is a “constellation” of landing ships, including helicopters for take-off and landing on the ice, intelligence of wildlife. On open multi-level decks equipped with excellent viewing platforms.
Common areas include two dining rooms, a lounge and a bar, an auditorium, an indoor plunge pool, a gym and a sauna. The ship has a library, a shop, a passenger elevator and a small medical center. In general, a journey through the ice takes place in complete comfort.
Way through the Arctic Ocean
110 passengers can accommodate the icebreaker "Captain Khlebnikov". Cabins have triple (6), double (41), suite (3) with a living room, TV / DVD and corner suite (4). All cabins are equipped with bathrooms and at least one window for ventilation.
Single travelers are accommodated in triple and double cabins by gender. The wishes of the excursionists are taken into account. It is believed that this is the only vessel for access to non-freezing areas blocked by ice. At the same time, tourists are provided with comfort and guaranteed safety.
In a grand 75-day round-the-world trip (July 10 - September 23, 2016), which was held in the traditional style of expeditions on the mighty icebreaker "Captain Khlebnikov", tourists discovered the Northeast Passage, explored northern Greenland.
Driving directions
Traveling along the sea route through the Arctic Ocean along the northern coast of North America, tourists enjoyed amazing views from the air, climbing up on two airborne helicopters. Photographing and recording interesting facts, everyone could create an interesting polar chronicle for themselves.
The journey begins at the northeast end, covered with a thick layer of ice. These are unique geological formations of the Russian Arctic. The powerful force demonstrated by the icebreaker “Captain Khlebnikov”, as if on a sail, delivered travelers to a mysterious, inaccessible region of the world. The trip lasted 25 days.
The next direction led people to the tip of Greenland. The remains of the Northwest Passage seeker camps were visited. They say it’s impossible to forget the magnificence of the “iceberg alley”, a short but vivid touch on the lifestyle of local residents, the nature of the tundra. A period of 21 days was allotted for this.
The third route resulted in acquaintance with the sights of the Canadian Arctic. Traveling to quiet coastal cities, observing the life of the Inuit of the indigenous peoples of North America took 18 days. The final part of the trip was at the end of the Northwest Passage.
Champagne on the ice
Rounding off, the people watched with pleasure the whales, seals, polar bears, sea birds. It seems that tourists liked the visit to the islands and archipelagos of the Arctic Ocean.
Recall: when the icebreaker left the Vladivostok port, 4 wanderers left with it in the ice distance. The lion's share of the pilgrims was taken to the port of Anadyr. These were citizens of the United States of America, Great Britain, Canada, and other states. “Having wandered” across the Russian Arctic, going around Canada, on September 23 the icebreaker will return to the Chukchi port.
Merchant and passenger ships are not able to overcome thick layers of ice, and “Captain Khlebnikov” calmly goes through obstacles, delivers tourists to the exotic world of the snow queen. On the Greenland Cruise, foreigners dreamed of drinking champagne and making barbecue on an ice floe. Their dreams came true, regardless of whether the Guinness World Records “shine”. Antarctica, the icebreaker "Captain Khlebnikov", the Arctic will forever remain in the memory of all travelers who have visited where there is always frost, where bears rub their backs on the earth's axis.