Where Are the Tugboats?
In any world crisis, it is said that the first question any American President asks is: “Where are the carriers?”
In Russia, it is: “Where are the tugboats?”
The decrepitude of the Russian navy is so pronounced that every deployment is accompanied by a salvage tug, just in case (and the case is quite likely) the sortied combat ships break down at sea.
Two examples. A Russian anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden:
Led by the Udaloy class destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov, the task force also includes the Irkut tanker and the Alatau rescue tug boat.
And it’s not just the Navy that needs help:
Salvage tug SB-36, a part of the squadron of the Russian Navy in the Gulf of Aden, met in the open ocean in distress schooner famous Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov and now accompanies her to the port of Salalah in Oman. On Wednesday reported RIA Novosti news agency, citing the press service of Defense Ministry.
Second example: the totally-totally!-benign deployment of Russian ships to Gaza:
“The detachment of combat ships of the Black Sea Fleet, including the Guards missile cruiser Moskva, the patrol ship Smetliviy, large landing ships Novocherkassk and Saratov, the sea tug MB-304 and the big sea tanker Ivan Bubnov, got the order to remain in the designated area of the Eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea for a possible evacuation of Russian citizens from the area of the Gaza strip in case of escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict”, the spokesperson said.
I swear to God, every freaking time I read a headline about deployment of Russian Navy vessels, I ask: “Is there a salvage tug bobbing along after the cruiser or destroyer or whatever?” And every freaking time I click the link, the answer is: “YES!”
Sorry. It just cracks me up.
Categories: Military, Politics, Russia
Salvage tug SB-36, a part of the squadron of the Russian Navy in the Gulf of Aden, met in the open ocean in distress schooner famous Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov and now accompanies her to the port of Salalah in Oman.
Somebody’s made a howler in the translation: Russian ships are always “he”.
by Tim Newman on Nov 25, 2012 at 9:50 am
@Tim. LOL. They just have to be different, don’t they?
by The Professor on Nov 25, 2012 at 10:00 am
To be fair, it’s because the Russian word for “ship” is a masculine noun…so it does make sense.
by Tim Newman on Nov 26, 2012 at 1:27 am
@Tim. What is this “fair”? Not familiar with the concept.
by The Professor on Nov 26, 2012 at 4:16 pm
To be fair, lots of stupid Russian women married Arabs. During the Lebanon war, lots of them (and their miscegenated progeny) were airlifted to Russia.
In other naval news, China Strong!
http://www.informationdissemination.net/2012/11/first-flight-of-j-15-off-liaoning.html
by So? on Nov 26, 2012 at 5:29 pm
@SWP: LOL!
by Tim Newman on Nov 26, 2012 at 11:31 pm
New nickname: Fleet Admiral Anitov = “Tugboat Annie”
by Sotos on Nov 27, 2012 at 9:48 am
@SWP: When looking at Russian Navy deployments, look for the name “Nikolay Chiker” among the deployers. He’s the go-to vessel for major tug needs. I believe the Kuznetsov never leaves home without him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_Russian_Navy_ships#Auxiliary_vessels
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=273543910
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=163728
by Armed with Inkstick on Nov 27, 2012 at 11:40 am
@Armed. I’m familiar with the Chiker. Yup, the Kuznetsov’s constant consort.
by The Professor on Nov 27, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Whatever Russia destroys it may need a tug to haul the cripples into port.
No doubt in my mind that if anyone tangles with the Moskva they will end up severely wounded or on the bottom.
by Jack Harper on Nov 30, 2012 at 1:44 am
[…] Streetwise Professor is fond of pointing out, the Russian navy can’t go anywhere without its rescue tug. The […]
by Keeping Britain Safe | White Sun of the Desert on Oct 21, 2016 at 5:35 am