Professor Molchanov

Professor Molchanov is a 236 ft. modern and comfortable research vessel built in 1983 in Finland, and converted in the Netherlands for passenger use. With an ice-strengthened hull, and a full complement of Zodiac craft, this vessel is ideally suited to expedition cruising. Your Russian crew is well experienced in ice navigation and the vessel complies with the highest international safety and environmental regulations.

Onboard there is plenty of space for open deck viewing and a large bridge where you are almost always welcome to visit. Hearty meals prepared by international chefs are served in the dining room and most cruises you will be treated to an on deck barbeque joined by the lively crew. There is even a sauna onboard for warming up after a day on (or under) the ice. She takes just 52 passengers.

The large Suite has a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A large lounge area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator and large forward and side facing windows. Also on the upper deck, 2 Superior cabins with a double bed and a single sofa-bed. A private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet. A sitting area with a desk, video player and TV, coffee and tea facilities, refrigerator, and windows.

On the upper and middle decks 12 cabins have a private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet, upper and lower berths, a desk, ample storage space and windows. Two of these have side by side lower berths.

9 Twin cabins on the lower deck have side by side lower berths, a desk, small washbasin, ample storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck.
On the same deck are 2 Triple cabins with two lower and one upper berth, a desk, a small washbasin, storage and hanging space and portholes. Shared shower and toilet facilities are conveniently located on the same deck.

Dives in the polar areas range from shallow ice diving along the floes or icebergs to wall dives and shore dives. Sunlight and salt water reflect off of the surrounding ice creating brilliant blues and greens on the formations.

Diving in the Arctic offers not only ice, but also interesting marine life, such as seals, kelp walls, sea snails, crabs, sea butterflies, various Arctic fish, shrubby horsetails, jelly fish, sea hedgehogs and starfish. The possibility of walrus and polar bears in the water make it a true Arctic experience!

Please see Dive Operators for more information. Oceanwide Expeditions works with this boat.