Professor Molchanov

The 1982-built MV Professor Molchanov ("Профессор Молчанов") is a polar expedition cruise ship owned by Roshydromet Arkhangelsk (Russia's Hydrometeorological and Environmental Monitoring Centre).

The vessel (IMO number 8010348) is currently Russia-flagged (MMSI 273458500) and registered/homeported in Arkhangelsk. It was previously chartered to Oceanwide Expeditions.

One of the Arctic expedition ships, MS Molchanov is a Russian ice-strengthened oceanographic research vessel also operated as a cruise ship. The vessel was built in Turku Finland for the USSR-Soviet Union in 1983. Today, it is converted to a passenger shipping vessel in order to serve the small ship expedition cruising market. Sisterships are the same-designed Russian research vessels (cruise ships) Professor Molchanov, Professor Khromov (Spirit of Enderby), Akademik Shuleykin (Polar Pioneer), Akademik Shokalskiy

Launched on December 28, 1982, this boat is named after the radiosonde inventor and meteorologist Pavel Alexandrovich Molchanov (1893-1941) and was christened on the scientist's 90th anniversary. Between January 26, 1983, and September 7, 1991, the Molchanov ship was used for oceanographic and polar research, making a total of 34 research expeditions. Among those were the following global hydrology expeditions (held by the Murmansk Hydrometeorological Administration):

• 1984 (from April 28 to June 10) - the itinerary route was through the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea, northeast Atlantic Ocean, Barents Sea
• 1989 (from September 19 to November 30) - the itinerary route was through North Atlantic Ocean, Greenland Sea, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea
• 1989-1990 (December 12 to February 22) - the itinerary route was through South Atlantic Ocean, Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, North Sea, North Atlantic Ocean

Laivateollisuus Oy was a shipbuilding company (Turku Finland-based shipyard) that operated between 1944-1988. In 1983, the shipbuilder was acquired by Valmet Marine, which in 1987 became part of Wartsila - just to be closed down in 1988. The Laivateollisuus company built various types of marine vessels, including schooners (a total of ninety 3-masted wooden schooners). In its peak, the shipbuilding yard was Turku's 3rd-largest (following Valmet and Crichton-Vulcan) with around 750 employees.

Th polar-class expedition ship Molchanov was originally used as an oceanographic research vessel. Following the 1996 major drydock reconstruction and refurbishment, MS Molchanov started operations on Russia-sponsored Arctic research missions and also on privately chartered polar cruise itineraries. From the same Akademik Shuleykin-class are also the research ships (converted and now operated as cruise vessels) Akademik Shuleykin (1982, now Polar Pioneer), Akademik Shokalskiy (1982), Professor Multanovskiy (1983) and Professor Khromov (1984, fka Spirit of Enderby).

MS Molchanov cruise itinerary program offers Arctic expedition voyages.

Decks and Cabins

For cruise passengers, MS Molchanov staterooms (26 total) include 1x Suite (Amundsen Suite, room 513 on Deck 5), 2x Superior cabins (rooms 510-517), 12x double cabins with en-suite bathrooms (411, 413, 415, 418, 420, 421, 425, 426, 505, 509, 518, 521), 9x double cabins with shared bathrooms (311, 314, 315, 321, 322, 326, 327, 331, 332), 2x Triple cabins with common baths (312-313) plus 3 staff cabins (309-310-337, for tour guides / expedition staff).

All passenger cabins are cleaned daily. Towels are changed only upon request. Bedsheets are changed every 3rd day. Room service (food or drink) is not available. Laundry service is provided at an additional cost (per item) by the cabin staff via forms and bags (available in each cabin). The laundry collection is in the morning. Ironing services are also available at extra charge. The boat has no self-serve laundry room and dry-cleaning.

Electrical outlets (power sockets) are European standard Plug Type C (2 round pins). The windows in all cruise cabins (square window and portholes) are opening. The cabin's temperature control is adjustable (regulates the flow of warm air from a vent). In the cabins and throughout the ship, the average temperature is 21-24 C (70-75 F).

• Amundsen Suite is sized 270 ft2 (25 m2) and has en-suite bathroom.
• Superior Cabins are sized 190-225 ft2 (18-21 m2) and have en-suite bathrooms.
• Twin Cabins are sized 100-125 ft2 (9-12 m2) and are in two types - with Private Facilities (en-suite bathroom) and with Shared Toilets (common baths).
• Triple Cabins are with Shared Toilets and sized 110-120 ft2 (10-11 m2).

The boat has 6 decks, of which 5 are passenger-accessible and 3 with cabins.

Professor Molchanov vessel details

Main shipboard facilities include a small Library (polar and reference books, playing cards and board games), Infirmary (medical clinic), Sauna (5 people, complimentary, open daily, self-use basis, not supervised), bar lounge, 2 restaurants (buffet-style dining rooms with table service). The dining room doubles as a lecture room. The ship has open-air viewing areas (bow and stern open decks and at the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge). The open-bridge policy allows passengers to visit the Wheelhouse at any time (excluding during bad weather).

All onboard announcements are in English and via the PA (public address) system. Announcements include wildlife sightings, disembarkation instructions, itinerary information, weather updates. The cruise company's Expedition Leader and staff provide regular updates and info on zodiac landings, as well as a lecture series (with media presentations) and documentary films. In the evening, the daily program for the next day (lectures, dining hours, scheduled activities) is distributed to all passenger cabins.

The bar lounge is bartender-served. Wine and champagne (by the glass) are offered in the dining room and at the bar. The ship's Hotel Manager supervises all passenger services (including the onboard accounts), supervises the waiting staff (international) and the crew (Russians).

The vessel has Zodiac craft for wildlife viewing, shoreside cruising and landings. Like all polar cruise ships, MS Molchanov has an ice-strengthened hull designed for safe navigation in ice-packed waterways. This boat doesn't have Jacuzzi (hot tub), swimming pool, elevator, helipad (helicopter deck). Vessel details include:

• Max Draught: 4,5 m (15 ft)
• DWT Deadweight tonnage: 2113 tons
• Displacement tonnage: 10000 tons
• Operational Range: 3560 km (2210 mi)
• Max Speed 14 knots (16 mph / 26 kph)

The Zodiacs are RIB boats (rigid inflatable boats) powered by 4-stroke outboard motors that give good speed and maneuverability.

The vessel (Turku shipyard/hull number 344) is powered by two marine diesel engines (model 6ChRN 36/45 ) with combined power output 2,3 MW. The propulsion system is single-shaft, with one CPP/controllable-pitch propeller.

Note: In the case of poor AIS coverage, tracking the vessel's current location will be impossible. You can see CruiseMapper's list of all icebreakers and ice-breaking research ships in the "itinerary" section of our Icebreakers hub. All states and their fleets are listed there.