Black Sea Fleet (BSF) hydrographic ship Donuzlav left Sevastopol on Apr 4 heading for the Mediterranean Sea.
Main goal of the cruise is providing participation of Russian experts in 18-th International Hydrographic Conference to take place in Monaco in Apr 23-27. Expectedly, representatives of 70 countries are to attend the conference, but only Russia, the US, and China will delegate hydrographic survey vessels.
Crew of Donuzlav has participated in such high-level international forums before, for instance, BSF mariners represented Russia in Monaco in 1987 and 2009.
During the 1.5-month long cruise, the crew will conduct oceanographic researches to correct navigation charts, survey anchorage sites, and determine operating parameters and range of radio beacons.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , April 06, 2012; Image: sevastopol