Russian Survey Vessel Arrives At Lyttelton

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32322, 13 June 1970, Page 12

Russian Survey Vessel Arrives At Lyttelton

A fully-automated Russian motor-vessel the Alba, arrived at Lyttelton from Wellington yesterday afternoon to bunker, before undertaking a scientific survey in the Tasman Sea.

The rakish, white-hulled Alba (2650 tons), commanded by Captain S. Igor, left Vladivostock for Wellington earlier this year, and later sailed to Antarctic waters to undertake a survey embracing a wide field of scientific research, including marine zoology, biology, atmospheric and deepwater temperatures, salinity tests, and geology. For the next two months, the Alba scientific party, under the leadership of Mr V. M. Shpak, will continue research work in the Tasman Sea. After this, similar work will be carried out in the Pacific Ocean adjacent to New Zealand. When this is completed, the Alba will return to Vladivostok via Singapore.

There are 12 members in the scientific party aboard the Alba. One of them is a woman biologist. The total ship’s company, including the scien-

tific party, numbers 78. Included in the complement are seven stewardesses. The Alba, which is designed as a stern trawler, has a large ramp aft used for obtaining' I marine zoological specimens.) She is equipped with highlysophisticated scientific equipment, and is comfortably appointed. When asked what the Alba’s service speed was, Captain Igor, instead of answering, smiled broadly, and offered his questioner a second glass of vodka.