User:Perthuser/Alexander Sledzuk

MV Alexander Sledzuk is a Russian icebreaker and research vessel.

A Vitus Bering–class icebreaker built at the Kherson Shipyard in Ukraine and completed on 1991-12-30,

MV Alexander Sledzuk is the second vessel (of 4) manufactured by JSC Kherson Shipyards under project 10621.

Hull 6001 - Ivan Papanin     Owner Murmansk Shipping Company Delivered 29-12-1990

Hull 6002 - Alexander Sledzuk Owner Russia                   Delivered 30-12-1991

Hull 6003 - Xuě Lóng         Owner China                     Delivered 25-9-1993

Hull 6004 - Unknown                  Owner Netherlands Antilles      Delivered 28-3-2003

Originally built for Russia, the vessel was renamed Juvent prior to launch 6 September 1991 and delivered for service 30 December 1991. Upon completion of 12 months service with the Russian government she was purchased for the South African Navy on 26 Febuary 1993 as a replacement for SAS Tafelberg.

Commissioned on the 8 June 1993 and renamed the SAS Outeniqua A302 she received modifications in 1994 to her hanger, flight deck, replenishment at sea equipment and the fitting of light armament were done to permit conversion to combat support vessel. Upon 11 years service to South African Navy she was decommissioned 30 July 2004 and sold.

Purchased by Mertech Marine (Pty) Ltd she was renamed Paardeburg and  put up for general charter. Notably she was employed for the 25th Indian Antarctic research trip.

Sold again in 2006 to C&M Gp. and renamed Ice Maiden 1 in 2007. Her superstructure was removed ready for refitting to become a floating accommodation vessel.