Geislinger coupling in operation in Arctic and Antarctic regions

“Professor Multanovskiy” designed to withstand ice floes and stormy seas

Belonging to the Akademik Shuleykin-class vessels, the ship was built in 1983 in Finland as an ice-strengthened vessel (length: 71.6 meters, width: 12,8 meters, draft: 4.5 meters, displacement: 2140 tones, engines: 2x1560 hp diesel engines, speed: 12,5 knots). To operate successfully in Arctic regions, the vessel is strongly built of steel with an ice strengthened hull from the bow to about ¼ of the ships length. Furthermore “Professor Multanovskiy” is designed to a range of 70 days independent operation. Certified with the Russian ice-class notation LU (1), which is identical with Lloyds Register 1D, a good anti-roll system and ISM certification, “Professor Multanovskiy” is perfectly equipped for polar seas.

Reliability and longevity of the BE 56/15/2 even under extreme conditions

Between 1983 and 1991 the ship was used only for polar and oceanographic research. In the 1990s it was converted for passenger use, being ideally suited for expedition cruising carrying approximately 48 passengers and a crew of 32 people. Until 2011 “Professor Multanovskiy” was under long-term contract by Oceanwide Expeditions, a specialist for Arctic and Antarctic journeys: Not only adventurous destinations like Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland were points on its route, but Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Island, South Georgia and the Antarctic as well. At present the ship is used for research purposes again, navigating through the Bering Sea. All Geislinger couplings, which are used for the Akademik Shuleykin-class vessels, are maintained regularly to guaranty the longevity of the Geislinger couplings. Recently, a Geislinger service engineer carried out a service on one of these ships: With more than 100.000 hour in operation, the Geislinger coupling BE 56/15/3 meets its demands for longevity and durability even under extreme conditions (see below).