Hydrographic ship Vizir sets sail on Arctic expedition
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir Astapkovich

Hydrographic ship Vizir sets sail on Arctic expedition

The Northern Fleet's hydrographic ship Vizir embarked on an expedition to the Arctic, Interfax reports. According the Northern Fleet's press service, surveys will be conducted in the Barents and Kara seas, the Laptev Sea, and in the East Siberian Sea if conditions are favorable.

"The research group aboard the ship will carry out comprehensive hydrographic, geodetic and hydrological research in the Barents and Kara seas, the Laptev Sea, and in the East Siberian Sea if ice and weather conditions permit. The research will take almost two months. The expedition is due back in October," the press service reports.

According to the press service, hydrographers will conduct a route survey, perform one-time drifting oceanographic studies, as well as specify the coordinates of geodetic points on the Severnaya Zemlya, New Siberian Islands and Franz Josef Land Arctic archipelagos.

"It is possible that new geographical discoveries will be made in the water areas vacated by glaciers," the press service said.

Last year, the hydrographic ship Senezh accomplished its Arctic research mission. From August 18 to September 27 its crew traveled 5,300 miles through the Barents and Kara seas and the Arctic Ocean basin. Expedition participants conducted a survey on the Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos, including Rudolf Island, Russia's northernmost island.