Ivan Kruzenstern, a similar Project 97A icebreaker
In the mid-1950s, the Soviet Union began developing a new diesel-electric icebreaker design based on the 1942-built steam-powered icebreaker Eisbär to meet the needs of both civilian and naval operators. Built in various configurations until the early 1980s, the Project 97 icebreakers and their derivatives became the largest and longest-running class of icebreakers and icebreaking vessels built in the world. Of the 32 ships built in total, two Project 97D icebreakers were built with additional facilities for hydrographic surveys.[2]
Project 97D icebreakers were 67.7 metres (222 ft) long overall and had a beam of 18.1 metres (59 ft). Fully laden, the vessels drew 6.3 metres (20.7 ft) of water and had a displacement of 3,350 tonnes (3,300 long tons). Their three 1,800-horsepower (1,300 kW) 10-cylinder 13D100 two-strokeopposed-pistondiesel engines were coupled to generators that powered electric propulsion motors driving two propellers in the stern and a third one in the bow.[2]
Compared to baseline Project 97 icebreakers, the vessels fitted for hydrographic surveys featured additional scientific facilities, echosounders to conduct hydrographic survey, and accommodation for an additional 14 personnel.[2]
Georgiy Sedov was one of the numerous icebreakers involved in the shipping crisis in the Soviet Eastern Arctic where unprecedented ice conditions caused a major disturbance to shipping at the end of the 1983 navigating season. The icebreaker lost three propeller blades and a rudder, and had to be towed to Pevek by the SA-15 type Arctic freighterBratsk.[4]
^Barr, W.; Wilson, E. (March 1985), "The Shipping Crisis in the Soviet Eastern Arctic at the Close of the 1983 Navigation Season", Arctic, 38 (1): 1–17, CiteSeerX10.1.1.554.8653, doi:10.14430/arctic2101