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Project 266 (code "Aquamarine")

Ships of Project 266 (code "Aquamarine") were the first domestic sea trawlers with minimal magnetic fields, for protection from influence mines with magnetic fuzes . The first in this series of minesweeper joined the Soviet Navy in 1963. Minesweepers of Project 266 used low magnetic steel in the construction of the hull. Mechanisms weapons, devices and equipment produced the low magnetic signature. For protection from influence mines with acoustic fuses, there was provided insulation of the foundations of main engines, diesel generators and electric compressor damping rubber coating, installation of mechanisms of isolation dampers; installation of flexible connections in the pipeline; the use of low-noise propellers variable pitch of large diameter, and the installation of low-noise machinery and equipment.

Weapons of broadband acoustic and contact trawls allowed for minesweeping at sea depths of 25 to 150 meters. Armament consisted of two 30-mm AK-230M automatic control radars with "Lynx". In a special GAS "Lan" was established as a means of detecting mines. Two RBU-1200 were installed on some ships.

In total 40 ships of this type were built from 1963 to 1971. The lead ship was incorporated into the Navy in 1963. The disadvantages of this design included the lack of means of search and detection of ground mines.

Removing selected deficiencies of project 266 was carried out in the course of modernization of his 266M project (code "Aquamarine"). It envisaged the replacement of electromagnetic trawl conventional type of deep, with a new control equipment; adoption of the trawl for the destruction of active mines; installation of three-way broadband towed television seeker-destroyer mines, as well as an integrated shredder-seeker mines, CEO accommodation "Mezen" for the detection of ground mines. To reduce the acoustic field of the ship provided for the installation of the main engines on vibration-damping longitudinal beams and propellers with low noise blades in noise Reducing nozzle.

These activities led to an increase in the length and total tonnage. In the construction and repair projects on MTSCH 266 and 266M were placed "Strela-3" MANPADS. Head ship 266M project "Semyon Roshal" was commissioned to the Navy in 1970. A total of 32 ships were built up to 1978.

The performance characteristics sea minesweepers pr.266M proved so successful that many foreign customers desired to buy them, but with a partial modernization, reflecting national service. Especially on the basis of the pr.266M sea trawlers created and an export version of minesweeper - pr.266ME. In exchange for regular pr.266M trawler eqipment, export version of minesweeper were equipped with more reliable contact, electromagnetic and acoustic sweeps and seekers of mines are excluded from the anti-mine weapons. Also improved radar and radio communication service.

The pr.266ME ships were equipped with all necessary equipment (anchor, steering, boat and towing), six life rafts PSN-10 (for 10 persons each), as well as general ship systems, in particular, fire-water, Fire extinguishing liquid, drainage and drainage systems , consumer freshwater and seawater systems, ventilation and air conditioning system. Sea trawlersof pr.266ME were supplied to India, South Yemen, Libya and Vietnam.

Sea trawler "Valentin Pikul" (No.878 Factory) was founded in 1990 on the Mid-Nevsky Shipyard, Leningrad, by 266ME project as a license for the Indian Navy minesweeper, but completed it was not for the Indian Navy, as a number of reasons Indian side refused the order, and the construction was stopped at the ship's readiness around 70%. Completion of the trawler was initiated by the public - the All-Russian Fleet Support Movement, the Foundation of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy, St. Petersburg Submariners' Club and a number of other organizations that have been able to collect about 500 thousand rubles. Then, federal funding was resumed.

The ship was launched on 30 May 2000 for the Russian Navy. The name of the ship was named after the famous writer Valentin Savich Pikul (known for his books "Cruiser", "Pen and Sword," "Favorite", "Bajazet", "Honour", "Requiem convoy PQ-17," "out of the impasse" ... ). In June-July 2002, the ship made the transition from the Baltic fleet on the Black Sea Fleet.