Akademik Shokalskiy

Akademik Shokalskiy moored in Ushuaia
History
Russia
NameAkademik Shokalskiy
OwnerRussian Federation
Operator
  • 2011-2012: Aurora Expeditions, Sydney, Australia
  • 2013-2014: Australasian Antarctic Expedition
Port of registry
BuilderOy Laivateollisuus Ab, Turku, Finland
Yard number343
Laid down2 November 1981
Launched10 March 1982
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class & typeAkademik Shuleykin-class research vessel, now Polar Pioneer-class cruise ship
Tonnage
Displacement2,140 tonnes
Length71.06 m (233 ft 2 in)
Beam12.82 m (42 ft 1 in)
Draught4.50 m (14 ft 9 in)
Ice classRMRS UL
Installed powerTwo 6ChRN 36/45 diesel engines (2 × 1,147 kW)
PropulsionSingle shaft; controllable-pitch propeller
Speed14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Capacity50
Crew30

MV Akademik Shokalskiy (Russian: Академик Шокальский) is a Russian Akademik Shuleykin-class ice-strengthened ship, built in Finland in 1982 and originally used for oceanographic research. In 1998 she was fully refurbished to serve as a research ship for Arctic and Antarctic work. For two weeks from 25 December 2013 Akademik Shokalskiy was trapped in thick ice in Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica, while operating an expedition for the Australasian Antarctic Expedition 2013–2014. The scientists and passengers were evacuated on 2 January. The ship has more recently been used as a cruise ship for expeditions.