pacific hawk catamaran

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PACIFIC HAWK Offshore Supply Ship, IMO 9579092

Where is the current position of pacific hawk presently vessel pacific hawk is a offshore supply ship sailing under the flag of singapore . her imo number is 9579092 and mmsi number is 563138200. main ship particulars are length of 88 m and beam of 19 m. maps show the following voyage data - present location, next port, estimated (eta) and predicted time of arrival (pta), speed, course, draught, photos, videos, local time, utc time..

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US Navy’s four unmanned ships return from Pacific deployment

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy completed its first deployment of four unmanned ships , which spent five months in the Pacific testing concepts for how to integrate their capabilities into crewed fleet operations.

The unmanned surface vessels — Sea Hunter, Sea Hawk, Mariner and Ranger — departed Southern California on Aug. 7 and returned Jan. 15. The Sea Hunter and Sea Hawk originate from a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency effort; the other two come from the Strategic Capabilities Office’s Overlord program.

During that five-month period, the four prototypes sailed a combined 46,651 nautical miles and visited ports in Japan and Australia. They also each operated for as much as 50 days at sea at a time “almost exclusively” in autonomous mode, Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley, the head of Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One, told reporters in a Tuesday call.

Daley said the deployment, overseen by U.S. Pacific Fleet, was meant to put the unmanned ships in a forward-deployed environment — with real sailors and Marines aboard operational ships — and test the existing concepts of operations, crewing assumptions, predicted maintenance needs and more.

Daley said the deployment was successful and the concepts for operations and sustainment are nearly ready for prime time. If the Navy ordered the construction of the first operational large or medium USV today, he explained, the concepts could be refined and ready to implement by the time the ship delivered to the fleet.

But there’s still more testing to do, he acknowledged.

The unmanned surface vessel Ranger trails the U.S. Navy destroyer Shoup as both ships transit the Pacific Ocean on Sept. 15, 2023. (MC2 Jesse Monford/U.S. Navy)

A bright spot was command and control of the vessels.

Sea Hunter and Sea Hawk do not have accommodations for people, aside from a small bridge that’s used for controlling the vessel only while it’s entering and exiting a port.

Ranger and Mariner are optionally manned but spent the vast majority of their time on deployment in autonomous mode, Daley said.

The vessels are then controlled by staff either at the Unmanned Operations Center in Port Hueneme, California, or aboard another U.S. Navy ship in the region.

Daley said he and his division staff experimented with several ways to control the vessels from ashore and at sea, using different numbers of operators, controlling different numbers of vessels from a single console, transferring control in different ways and more — leading this to become one of the most mature aspects of the concept of operations.

But an area that requires more work is integrating the USV and its payload into the broader network of sensors and shooters. Daley declined to identify the kinds of payloads the USVs worked with, other than to say they operated in the air, on the surface and under the sea.

But their operations did highlight a need for better integration. He said merging with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Joint Fires Network is one example where there’s room to “close those seams, if there are any,” to ensure data the USVs collect can be best leveraged by the rest of the Navy and joint force.

Some of that will come with the fielding of the Integrated Combat System , which the Navy is developing and is to be installed on the future Large USVs. Daley said Mariner currently runs a version of the virtualized Aegis Combat System, but the service members want more integration based on how they could conceive leveraging an unmanned ship to supplement their own operations.

Once the Integrated Combat System is complete, the same software will run on all the Navy’s crewed ships and the Large USV, allowing for the more seamless sharing of data.

The unmanned surface vessels Ranger and Mariner sail alongside Japan's Mogami-class frigate JS Kumano on Sept. 27, 2023. (MC2 Jesse Monford/U.S. Navy)

While there’s still more work to do before unmanned ships become a permanent fixture in fleet operations, Daley said the excitement from the fleet was clear during the deployment — particularly from amphibious and stand-in forces looking to spread throughout the Pacific as well as both leverage and contribute to a common picture of the battlespace.

“There is a lot of synergy and energy that is all very positive in working with the combined Navy-Marine Corps team — and more importantly the stand-in force in 7th Fleet,” Daley said, referring specifically to III Marine Expeditionary Force, Task Force 76 and their integrated Navy-Marine headquarters staff in Okinawa, Japan.

“There is a lot of positive feedback and a lot of very good development into how we are going to do operations together as a stand-in force and afloat forces in 7th Fleet,” Daley said.

Megan Eckstein is the naval warfare reporter at Defense News. She has covered military news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. She has reported from four geographic fleets and is happiest when she’s filing stories from a ship. Megan is a University of Maryland alumna.

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• PACIFIC HAWK

Sailing vessel, MMSI 503070130

• VesselFinder
• Miscellaneous

The current position of PACIFIC HAWK is at East Australia reported 9 days ago by AIS. The vessel is sailing at a speed of 0.3 knots. The vessel PACIFIC HAWK (MMSI 503070130) is a Sailing vessel and currently sailing under the flag of Australia .

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Map position & weather, recent port calls.

PACIFIC HAWK current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of PACIFIC HAWK data.

Navy Wants To Sideline Its Fast Transport Catamarans As Pacific Fight Looms

M embers of Congress are trying to block the Navy from putting just under half of its fleet of Spearhead class expeditionary fast transports into a state of reduced readiness with only skeleton crews assigned to them. Some of the vessels in question are very young, with one having first entered service just three years ago. This comes as the U.S. military is coming to terms with massive logistical hurdles if it were to go to war in the Pacific, which these fast, low-draft, multi-purpose vessels seem to be ideally suited for.

Because of this glaring disconnect, lawmakers are also pushing for a legal requirement for the service to develop and implement a formal concept of operations for utilizing these catamaran transport vessels in the Pacific.

Provisions relating to the Spearhead class ships are contained in the version of the annual defense policy bill, or National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for Fiscal Year 2024 that the House of Representatives passed in July . The Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA that the Senate passed last month does not include any such language relating to these vessels, and the two chambers are now in the process of trying to reconcile their bills.

The Spearhead class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Choctaw County. USN

If the language found in the House bill makes it into the final NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024, and is then signed into law by President Joe Biden, the Navy would be prevented from using any funds to place Spearheads on so-called Reduced Operating Status (ROS). The service would also be required to "develop and implement a strategy and concept of operations for the use of expeditionary fast transport vessels in support of operational plans in the area of operations of United States Indo-Pacific Command" within 180 days of the law's passage. The Chief of Naval Operations would have 30 days to "submit to the congressional defense committees a report describing such [a] strategy and concept of operations."

The full test of the section on the Navy's Spearhead class ships from the version of the Fiscal Year 24 NDAA that House of Representatives passed in July. US Congress

In its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 , the Navy outlined plans to transition five Spearheads – USNS Choctaw County, USNS Trenton, USNS Carson City, USNS Yuma, and USNS Newport – to ROS. The service says doing so would save it just under $17.6 million, which it could then redirect to other priorities. The oldest of these ships, USNS Choctaw County, entered service in 2013. The youngest of them, USNS Newport, was commissioned in 2020.

The Navy has already placed two Spearhead class ships, the USNS Spearhead and USNS Fall River, on ROS. The service has different tiers of ROS, but they all involve truncating a ship's assigned crew and reducing its readiness state. Officially, the Navy categorizes any ship on ROS that is capable of being reactivated within 45 days or less as inactive, but still on the rolls. Spearhead and Fall River are both reportedly being kept on so-called "ROS 45" status, the lowest level of 'inactive' readiness.

USNS Spearhead, which was placed on ROS in 2020, seen off the coast of Panama in 2016. A US Army Black Hawk helicopter is also seen at right. USN

So, at least on paper, the Navy currently has 13 Spearhead class ships, also known by the abbreviation EPF. The first of these were commissioned in 2012. The latest of these ships, the USNS Apalachicola , just entered service in February of this year.

Leveraging its experience with commercial high-speed ferry designs, Australian shipbuilder Austal's U.S. subsidiary developed and built the Spearhead class ships , which typically have a crew of around 42 people. These aluminum-hulled vessels displace around 2,362 tons, can cruise at around 35 knots, have a top speed of some 43 knots, and are designed to be readily reconfigurable to the mission at hand. Each one has a multi-purpose 20,000 square-foot mission bay, as well as a rear flight deck able to accommodate various helicopters and a stern ramp for loading and unloading vehicles, personnel, and cargo.

A graphic offering a general overview of the Spearhead class design. DOD

Austal USA is in the process of building two additional Flight II Spearheads for the Navy and the service has a third one on order now. These Spearhead subvariants will have expanded medical capabilities and strengthened flight decks able to allow Osprey tilt-rotors to take off and land. The Navy is also looking to acquire a trio of Bethesda class expeditionary medical ships , a dedicated medical vessel variant derived from the Flight II Spearhead.

A rendering of the Flight II Spearhead class design. Austal USA An artist's conception of the Bethesda class expeditionary medical ship, derived from the Spearhead class design. Austal USA

With all this in mind, it might seem odd that the Navy is now looking to significantly scale back its use of the Spearheads, which are currently assigned to its Military Sealift Command and are crewed by civilian mariners. However, the service's current plans for ships very much speak to their somewhat obtuse history and long-building uncertainty about their role and mission.

Officially, the current mission of the Spearhead class ships is to "provide high-speed, agile lift capability to deliver operationally ready units to small, austere ports and flexibly support a wide range of missions including humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, theater security cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and noncombatant evacuations," according to the Navy . "They enable the rapid transit and deployment of conventional and special forces, equipment, and supplies in support of maneuver and sustainment operations."

Originally known as Joint High-Speed Vessels (JHSV), the Spearhead class was a product of U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps requirements dating back to the early 2000s. Initially, there was an expectation that some of these ships would be operated by the Army itself as part of its obscure, but actually quite capable watercraft fleet, which you can read more about here .

In the 2000s, the Navy also chartered a number of commercial catamaran ferries to explore the potential utility of vessels like this in various combat and non-combat contexts, largely in support of the JHSV program. In 2012, the service also received two other Austal-designed ferries from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). Both of those ships, referred to as High-Speed Transports (HST), remain in inventory, though one has been on loan to a commercial ferry operator in Canada since 2016.

One of the Navy's two High-Speed Transports, the USNS Guam. USN

Over the past two decades or so, the Spearheads and their immediate predecessors have certainly demonstrated the ability to perform a wide array of missions. For instance, two of the earlier chartered catamaran ferries, known during their time in Navy service as the Joint Venture and Swift , were used in particularly novel roles, including as small special operations seabase ships and at sea-based launch platforms for tethered surveillance blimps.

Swift in 2013 with a tethered surveillance blimp installed on its stern flight deck. USN

The Spearhead class ships have also been explored as special operations support platforms, as well as floating forward-deployed repair facilities for smaller warships like Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). There has been talk in the past about potentially fitting these ships with more robust weapons. The Navy at one time planned to at least use one of the ships to test its now-defunct electromagnetic railgun . Austal has previously shown concept art of an uncrewed Spearhead derivative with arrays of vertical launch system cells for firing various kinds of missiles, too.

Artwork depicting the Spearhead class USNS Millinocket with an electromagnetic railgun installed in a test fixture on its rear flight deck. USN A rendering of an uncrewed Spearhead class derivative with a vertical launch system array for firing various types of missiles. Austal USA

However, the Spearheads have still not seen significant integration into routine day-to-day Navy operations in the past decade and they have generally been used just as transports. The use of the USNS Millinocket recently to bring materiel to Australia in support of the Talisman Sabre 23 exercise reflects how these ships are generally employed at present.

USNS Millinocket in Australia in July 2023 supporting Talisman Sabre 23. USMC

As a prime example of apparent Navy disinterest in more novel applications of these ships, the recently delivered USNS Apalachicola has a full suite of systems to enable crew-optional operations, but the service has no current plans to make use of those capabilities. You can read more about this particular ship and its unique features here .

“I think one step at a time. In terms of that ship, it has the capability but we will integrate into fleet in a very deliberate manner,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday told reporters at the WEST 2023 conference in February, according to USNI News . "We won’t have a deployment and unmanned and an unmanned deployment right off the bat."

USNS Apalachicola. Austal USA

There are certainly questions about the value of a commercial ferry-derived design in a future high-end conflict, such as one in the Pacific against China. Scenarios like this are dominating planning discussions across the U.S. military at present.

The potential vulnerability of ships like the Spearhead class was highlighted in 2016, one of the catamaran ferries the Navy had previously chartered, the ex-Swift, was destroyed by an anti-ship missile off the coast of Yemen. The vessel was in service with the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates at the time and was supporting operations against Yemen's Houthi rebels. What was left of the ship was subsequently towed to a port in Greece, where the hulk remains.

At the same time, even in the broader context of a larger-scale conflict, Spearhead class ships could still provide valuable intratheater sealift capacity in lower-threat environments or under a protective umbrella provided by other assets. This could also then help free up more robust sealift ships for use elsewhere.

In addition, the ability of the Spearhead class ships to be relatively rapidly reconfigured for different mission sets gives them additional flexibility. This could potentially include providing additional 'magazine depth' for kinetic strikes missions through the installation of modular weapon systems or the positioning of existing mobile launch systems on its stern flight deck, with targeting data fed in from offboard sources.

The video below shows a U.S. Marine Corps M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher being fired from the flight deck of a San Antonio class amphibious warfare ship.

Furthermore, the Navy itself has clearly identified the core Spearhead class design as a useful way of augmenting critical expeditionary medical capabilities.

All of this also comes amidst concerns that have been building for years now about the Navy's overall sealift capacity and its ability to surge additional assets , including ones held in various states of reduced readiness, in the event of a major conflict or contingency. Beyond that, the U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the Army , continue to have their specific requirements for lower-tier intratheater sealift support for combat and non-combat missions, particularly in the Pacific .

Just in the past few years, the U.S. Marine Corps has identified an all-new requirement for dozens of additional middle-tier transport vessels specifically to support its new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operation. The Expeditionary Advance Base Operations (EABO) concept centers heavily on the ability of Marine contingents to rapidly deploy to remote or austere locations , including in maritime and littoral environments , and then just as quickly redeploy elsewhere as required to reduce their vulnerability and otherwise make it difficult to opponents to respond effectively.

Spearhead class ships have been used to support counter-narcotics operations and to help shuttle U.S. military units around for various types of training exercises and other regional engagement activities in Latin America. They could provide a similarly useful 'presence' in the Pacific region.

Altogether, it is very hard to see the Spearheads as being anything else but well-suited to meeting a host of needs the U.S. military has when it comes to the Pacific region, both in peacetime and in war. The ships are, on average, relatively young, and have limited crew requirements to begin with, too.

The potential cost savings from putting a significant number of Spearheads on ROS look to be small in the context of the overall U.S. defense budget. As of 2021, the Pentagon pegged the annual operating cost of a single one of these ships at around $20.3 million , which is relatively cheap by naval vessel standards . Beyond that, as already noted, the Navy says it stands to free up less than $20 million in Fiscal Year 2024 by putting five of these ships into a state of reduced readiness.

This all helps explain why the House, in its version of the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA, wants to compel the Navy to look deeply into the Spearhead class's roles and missions, with a particular eye toward future operations in the Pacific, in addition to preventing the service from placing any more of those ships on ROS. Whether that language makes it into the final reconciled NDAA, and if that bill is then signed into law by President Biden, remains to be seen.

Whatever ultimately happens on the legislative front could have significant ramifications for the future of the Navy's Spearhead class ships.

Contact the author: [email protected]

PACIFIC HAWK

Oil service / psv.

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We last observed the vessel in the Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone 4h ago.

PACIFIC HAWK built in 2011 is a vessel in the Oil service / PSV segment. Its IMO number is 9579092 and the current MMSI number is 563138200. The vessel has callsign 9V2080. Summer deadweight is 4706 DWT. PACIFIC HAWK is sailing under the flag of Singapore.

We last observed the vessel in the Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone 4h ago. PACIFIC HAWK built in 2011 is a vessel in the Oil service / PSV segment. Its IMO number is 9579092 and the current MMSI number is 563138200. The vessel has callsign 9V2080. Summer deadweight is 4706 DWT. PACIFIC HAWK is sailing under the flag of Singapore.

View the real-time position for PACIFIC HAWK and 6400+ other Oil service vessels by registering a FREE account in ShipAtlas.

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• Digital Edition

Expert advice: How to sail across the Pacific Ocean

• March 19, 2019

Immense and diverse, the expanse of the Pacific offers some of the finest tradewinds cruising you’ll ever experience and a wealth of friendly cultures. Dan Bower explains how to prepare and where to sail

Sailing across the Pacific is the adventure of a lifetime, but proper preparation is vital. Photos: Tor Johnson / Dan Bower / Olivier Parent / Alamy

A cruising sailor’s blog, newsfeed or Instagram account from the Pacific is an onslaught of images and videos of every flavour of paradise from the green, dramatic and rugged landscape of the Marquesas with its huge waterfalls, the coral atolls and blue lagoons of the Tuamotus, to Tahiti and Bora Bora, the volcanic eruptions and cauldrons of lava in Vanuatu, the breaching whales of the Coral Sea… Enough already, as they say!

The Pacific Ocean is by far and away the most diverse for cruising. The scenery and culture varies between each country but everywhere there is a welcoming and genuine hospitality – and the sailing is excellent.

It pays to pick your route carefully

What to expect when sailing across the Pacific

When examining planning charts and contemplating sailing the Pacific Ocean, it looks huge. It is 8,000 nautical miles from Panama to Australia (you can cross the Atlantic in 2,200 miles) and, because of the scale of the charts and the size of the islands, it appears to have little land. But zoom in on the chartplotter and the islands and island groups are plentiful.

You must make one very long crossing, the 3,000 miles from the Galapagos Islands to the Marquesas, but this is usually fast sailing with a favourable current bringing the passage time down to one similar to a transatlantic crossing. We’ve made this Pacific passage three times, and we reckon it’s easier sailing than on an average ARC. There has been less swell, more regular winds and no squalls, and after you arrive in the Marquesas you’re rarely more than four days from your next destination.

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With an eye on the weather there are plenty of protected anchorages throughout the Pacific, and there are all-weather ports in most island groups.

But sailing across the Pacific is not without its challenges. There are tricky coral passes to negotiate, and it helps to speak French, but time spent preparing and planning can help make it plain sailing and, in my experience, the cruise of a lifetime.

Sailing through the Panama Canal

When you enter the Pacific from the Panama Canal you can feel this is a different ocean. The blue, warm waters of the Caribbean are replaced with the decidedly chilly, much darker nutrient-rich ones brought from Antarctica borne by the Humboldt Current. Its favourable effects can be felt under your keel as you head towards the Galapagos, and make for a bracing first swim. The 6m tidal range can also come as a bit of a shock.

Choosing your route

The passage to the Galapagos should pose no major problems but you will probably have to sail through The Doldrums and you will cross the equator. The national park in the Galapagos is sensitive to foreign species and so you can expect to have all your fresh food removed when you arrive. The authorities also don’t like any growth on your hull – they can turn you away or make you go out of the park to have your hull cleaned (an 80-mile round trip), so it’s worth pressure washing in Panama and getting all through-hull fittings thoroughly cleaned if you’re unsure.

Brochure cruising in the turquoise, sheltered water of a typical French Polynesia atoll

From here you depart on the main passage to the Marquesas Islands and ahead the expanse of French Polynesia opens up. This ocean leg is the Pacific Ocean proper, with approximately 3,000 miles of what should be tradewind sailing at its best, a mile-melting broad reach and an equatorial current beneath you. Depending on the position of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) you may be able to sail down the rhumb line or, if not, head a bit further south for more stable conditions.

Arriving in the Marquesas is a pleasurable culture shock and is as dramatic socially as it is scenically. Away from the small towns it is a great place to cruise to quiet bays with beautiful beaches, trade odds and ends with the locals for the most delicious fruit and explore the interior with its wonderful waterfalls and archaeological remains.

Once you’ve had your fill of green and lush beauty (yes, it rains) and have filled the boat with Pomello grapefruit, mangoes, coconuts and pineapples, it’s time to push off to the Tuamotus. The hardest part about this leg is deciding where to go – there are 80 atolls to choose from.

Coral snorkelling is a must

Sailing the South Pacific

On arrival you need to get the tide times right to navigate a narrow pass, but the reward is a calm, clean and incredibly blue lagoon. Snorkelling is the highlight here and the lagoons are home to the prettiest and most diverse coral I have ever seen. The adventurous can drift snorkel through the passes on an incoming tide, and you can effortlessly glide amongst sharks and large fish feeding.

The Marquesas and Tuamotus are, in my opinion, the best bits of French Polynesia. It is tempting to rush off to the Society Islands (which include Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea and Bora Bora) and tackle the inevitable jobs list, but most people regret it. The Society Islands have an interior like the Marquesas and lagoons like the Tuamotus, but neither are quite as good. However if you’re lured there by civilisation, Papeete is a city replete with a Carrefour supermarket, chandleries and most other things you could need. It can be a welcome stop to reprovision and attend to any outstanding jobs on the list.

Onwards from here you are never far from the next anchorage. Seas are gentle with long, lazy swells and, apart from the very rare trough reaching up from lows in the south, it is settled tradewind sailing. Now is the time to choose how long you wish to stay in the Pacific as that will dictate how much time you have on the way in order to make sure you’re in the right place for cyclone season.

It’s possible to make it to Australia and onwards if that’s your plan, but many cruisers fall in love with the region and cruise there for many years. If that is you, then it’s worth slowing down and enjoying more of what Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu have to offer. We’ve done three tours of the South Pacific and would happily go back – in fact we might return in 2020.

• 1. Introduction

PACIFIC HAWK

4,706 mts 2011 imo 9579092 🇸🇬  singapore, description.

The current position of PACIFIC HAWK is at coordinates 3.74159 N / 111.567 E , reported 4 hours ago by AIS . The vessel is en route to the port of Tanggu and expected to arrive there on Mar 10, 9 PM .

The vessel PACIFIC HAWK ( IMO: 9579092 , MMSI 563138200 ) was built in 2011 (12 years old) and is currently sailing under the flag of Singapore .

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Identification, dimensions & design, gear / pumps / cranes / grabs.

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2023 Boat Buyers Guide: Catamarans

• By Karl Anderson
• December 27, 2022

The popularity of the multihull (aka catamaran or cat) fishing boats has never been greater, as more and more boatbuilders enter this growing segment of the market. The inherent stability of the catamaran design rolls less with the seas, making fishing offshore less tiresome and more comfortable. Available from 20 to 48 feet, catamarans typically offer a large fishing platform with generous storage and fishing amenities. They are available in a wide variety of deck layouts, including center-consoles, dual-consoles, and even pilothouse and express variants.

Big Picture

The large deck area of a catamaran enables many large underdeck storage lockers and insulated fish boxes in the sponsons. This gives anglers ample room for gear and the day’s catch. The catamaran’s stability, fishability, and smooth ride in rough seas make it attractive to anglers as well as day-cruisers. A center-console version adds 360 degrees of angler access to the rail. With the dual-console design, generous seating behind a beam-to-beam windshield makes for a great family fishing-friendly setup.

Live bait is one of the most popular types of fishing in virtually every coastal zone. To do it successfully requires optimal water capacity and proper flow. The minimum size of the outflow water plumbing should be twice the size of the inflow. The plumbing should have a drain at the bottom to shed scales at the end of the day, as well as a drain at the top of the well to adjust capacity and allow overflow. Above-deck transom-mounted wells should fully flood to the lids when running to keep baits from getting beat up. 

Tip: A sump box with multiple pumps in case a pump fails is the best setup for first-rate livewells. Conveniently located inflow and outflow valves make it easy to optimize the flow without tiring your bait from swimming too much in the well. 

Rod Storage

Having enough rod holders is essential to be successful for opportunity fishing. Look for vertical rod storage along the console and across the back of the T-top. Many models also have rod holders along the outboard transom wall. Having plenty of gunwale rod holders for drift- and kite-fishing is helpful. 

Tip: Placing adjustable swivel rod holders by Gemlux makes deep-dropping, lure-fishing and drifting even easier because they allow your rods to face the direction the baits are fishing, yet they can be swiveled back to keep rods from sticking out of the boat while running and docking. 

Manufacturers often offer multiple choices for horsepower, but whatever the choice, the engines must come in pairs. For example, you might order twin outboards (one for each sponson) or four outboards (two for each sponson), but single- or triple-outboard configurations are not common on a cat. Optimal selection should be made based on user load, weight of the boat, ride comfort , performance desires, and best case for resale. It’s a rare day when you can run wide open, but having more horsepower gives better torque at slower speeds and thus better control. Running larger engines slower gives better fuel efficiency too.

Tip: When possible, choose the highest horsepower offered because it typically leads to a better resale value with a shorter sales cycle. 

Power steering from engine manufacturer Optimus or SeaStar is essential with the higher horsepower required for larger boats, and it makes installing and operating the upper station in a tower far more practical and comfortable.

With the power demands of electronics, livewell pumps, stereo amps and more, it is wise to have at least two house batteries, and for larger boats, a third or fourth with a multibank charger for dockside. Each engine should have its own dedicated battery as well. 

Electronics

Typically choosing the largest screen or multiple screens that will fit on the console is best-case scenario for ease of use, ergonomics, and visibility. VHF radios, stereo controller, and equipment switches for lighting, pumps, and accessories should all be integrated with greatest visibility and ease of operator reach. 

A Tale of Two Hulls 

A catamaran rides on pair of hulls, or sponsons, each thinner and sharper than  that of a similarly sized monohull boat. The narrow sponsons of the cat tend to slice easily through water to deliver a smooth ride, even in rough seas. At the same time, with the sponsons positioned out to the sides of the boat, cats tend to roll less, thus providing great stability to enhance crew comfort, security and safety. However, cats tend to corner more flatly than a monohull, and some hulls (but not all) tend to lean outward versus inward during a turn.

Experts Say

Newer designs such as Invincible’s Morelli and Melvin-designed semi-asymmetrical sponsons eliminate some of the negatives of the cat design, such as “sneezing,” where water sprays out the front of the boat when hitting a wave. They’ve also controlled the uncomfortable “outboard lean” ­sensation common in older designs when in a turn. Once transitioned to a ­catamaran, many become true believers and preach the benefits of the design.

Editor Says: Saltwater fishing cats not only offer superb stability and smooth ride, but some also display exceptional speed and range. I recall one trip out of Key West, Florida, aboard an Invincible 40 Cat with four 350 hp outboards to the Dry Tortugas. It was a 60-mile run, and we made it there in 70 minutes. We caught more fish than our arms could bear, and then dashed back to Key West, arriving in time for cocktail hour on the same day. -Jim Hendricks, Staff Editor, Boating and Fishing Group

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Sailing The Pacific In A Catamaran – Tips!

Sailing the Pacific can be a dream to many. It can also be a wonderful experience to explore new routes, tackle varying weather conditions, and cherish moments for a lifetime. 

Sailing the Pacific in a catamaran of 30-50 feet is feasible, and it can take around eight weeks to sail it completely. Sailing offshore can be dangerous, so consider the West Coast route for a great experience. 

If you are still planning an itinerary to sail the entire Pacific Ocean, this article can offer extensive insights to help you plan better and make your trip more memorable.

Pacific Sailing Routes

There are two sailing routes across the Pacific – East to West and West to East. Taking the route from East to West via Panama and The Galapagos is ideal. 

Let’s look into these routes in more detail before you make your decision on which one to take.

Coconut Milk Run

Most sailors prefer taking the coconut milk run, which is the route from East to West, as the weather conditions are convenient and the route is comparatively shorter. 

The sailing begins from Panama and moves via French Polynesia. Perhaps, if you prefer a halt in the mid, you can visit the Galapagos Islands and rest for some time. It takes about 6-8 weeks to sail across the Pacific Ocean via this route. Perhaps, you can customize the stop points depending on the starting point. Some even go beyond the Pacific and sail the Caribbean for a unique experience. 

West to East

Most sailors don’t prefer taking the route from West to East due to the upwind that demands strong capability of the crew and other contingency preparations. The direct route is the fastest, but the winds are high. On the other hand, the Northern Route is filled with several small passages and can be the most favorite for adventure lovers. Do not attempt this route if you do not have a well-backed crew. Another route called the roaring forties takes about ten weeks and has several downwind spots. 

You could take a catamaran of 30 to 50 feet in length on both routes, but you may need additional helpers if you due to the demand of this trip length.

Do you have ample time to spend on your sail? In that case, you can set the United States as your starting route and go via Hawaii, Fiji, Polynesia, and New Zealand if you want a huge trip.

Can A Catamaran Cross The Pacific Ocean?

A catamaran of 30-50 feet in length can cross the Pacific Ocean smoothly. Remember to stock up with supplies if you are taking the West to East route due to its length. The East to West route is filled with scenic views and is the most favorable choice.

Catamarans are ideal for crossing oceans, including the Pacific due to their size and speed. Some experienced sailors choose monohulls to sail across the Pacific instead of catamarans, but the catamaran is safer and more comfortable to spend your vacation on. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion though.

Here are some more reasons to cross the Pacific Ocean with a catamaran over other sailboats. 

• Cruising catamarans are perfect for oceans due to the positive buoyancy material used. 
• Catamarans are also resistant to damage and can withstand wave crashes. Do not go with recreational cats when you sail across the ocean. 
• Cruising catamarans are ideal for rough weather conditions as these contain enclosed cockpit spaces that keep the sailors safer. 
• It is harder for a rogue wave to push a catamaran off course. Irrespective of the route you choose, you can go with a catamaran. 
• Crews have found it extremely comfortable to balance on a catamaran. 
• Knockdowns cannot hamper the catamaran because of the even weight allocation and the natural roll resistance in its design.  

Want to get a glimpse of the sailing experience across the Pacific? You should watch the video below:

As you can see from the video it can be rough at some times and safety is one thing you always need to consider before leaving port.

Dangers Of Sailing The South Pacific 

Sailing the South Pacific is the safest during the summer. Otherwise, it would be best if you had a balanced crew and a perfect itinerary to handle all situations. 

When you sail the Pacific along the United States and Canada, you are less likely to see upwind during summer. However, things can worsen during winter. 

Here’s a word of caution: Do not sail offshore if you do not have an expert team of sailors. 

Although fatalities are uncommon, it is better to take precautions as you travel on a catamaran. Typhoons are claimed to be the most dangerous hazard in the pacific and you need to be cautious when you sail across the Pacific. While these are always common, the speed and intensity can put everyone at high risk for injury or falling overboard. 

If you have inexperienced sailors, you must know that the Pacific is not simple sailing. Heavy weather is anticipated from November to April. You need several experienced sailors to tackle rough weather conditions and the seasickness of passengers can cause issues when sailing. 

There are other risks as well, including passengers overboard, rough weather, catamaran problems, and navigation errors. Sailing amidst rough weather conditions is common for sailors to get confused or lose access to navigation. In such cases, you need to make use of communication models like tracking devices and search and rescue services. 

Here are a few precautions to keep in mind before you begin sailing across the Pacific:

• Evaluate your crew’s stability and health – Check if you are prepared to handle sudden medical emergencies of your crew. 
• Make a note of contacts to search and rescue services – This will be helpful if you lose navigation or are stuck in the middle of the ocean. 
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your sailors – You do not necessarily need 10 highly skilled sailors. However, having a handful is sufficient to handle the issues that may come up.
• Monitor weather conditions and note contingency plans – It is recommended to plan your vacation during May-July. Otherwise, weather conditions can get rough and pose several emergencies. 

How Long Does It Take To Cross The Pacific By Catamaran?

It takes an average of 7-10 weeks to cross the Pacific by catamaran. The duration depends on the size of the vessel, the number of passengers, route, itinerary, and weather conditions.

Some prefer having several stopping points to relax and take a break before continuing the cruise. A rough estimate of the duration is feasible. However, identifying the accurate duration is difficult since several variables exist in the ocean. 

Here are some tips to obtain a better grip on the duration:

– Choose the perfect route. The East to West route is the shortest of all. 

– Keep modern technologies handy so you do not waste time finding solutions to your emergencies. I’d recommend installing radar systems to avoid collisions and plan your itinerary better.  

– Plan the itinerary before leaving port. Perhaps, you can make adjustments along the way, but that should not affect the duration on a large scale. 

– The size of the catamaran is also influenced by the number of passengers and other baggage. 

How Big Of A Sailboat Do I Need To Cross The Pacific?

A sailboat at a minimum of 30 feet is required to cross the Pacific and handle rough seas. However, if you have a sailboat of 40 ft in length, it is perfect for tackling weather, and storage needs, and also helps improve comfort. 

There is also the option to rent a sailboat to cross the Pacific. Ensure you have a complete understanding of how this boat works. You do not want to be caught out in the middle of rough weather not knowing how to correct a boat’s issue.  

Smaller sailboats do not support rough weather conditions. Further, your comfort is at stake when you choose smaller sizes. Even if you are traveling solo, the size of the vessel matters a lot. 

Tips For Better Pacific Sailing 

Sailing across the Pacific is likely to throw unexpected situations at travelers. Based on the experiences of various sailors, I have come up with some handy tips to improvise and get the best out of your sailing experience across the Pacific. 

• Maintain a crew of at least three experienced sailors. This crew needs to take shifts in sailing the catamaran and watching the route. Even when one of them falls sick, the other two are available. 
• Keep a navigation chart handy. It is better to have multiple copies and also share them with your passengers, so all are well-equipped and informed about the itinerary. 
• Perform an extensive evaluation of the catamaran. Do not randomly choose a catamaran. Remember to inspect the boat and rate its current health. Keep spare parts on board for certain situations. It is also equally important to have experienced sailors who can repair the boat and fix things when required. 
• Check with safety laws and ensure that your catamaran complies with all of them before you start your journey across the Pacific. 

These have always helped me sail better and more confidently.   

Final Thoughts

Sailing across the Pacific is a must-have experience in life, but it also comes with its drawbacks. Sailing at the right time (May – July) in a cruising catamaran of at least 30 feet in length with a proper plan will make the experience fruitful and interesting. 

Remember not to overload your catamaran with people or items. Likewise, choose the route that is convenient to you. Cruising on a catamaran is the perfect way to enjoy your journey! 

Boatlifehq owner and author/editor of this article.

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Region: Pacific

S/V ASPE is a 2016 Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 Evolution catamaran, for sale by owner. ASPE is hull number #140, an Evolution model launched in 2016. She comes with with 4 cabins and 4 heads. The Helia is a well proven catamaran with several circumnavigations. This is the later Evolution model with higher and better davits and newer windows (30% more light).

Our family has sailed the boat since March 2022. Fully equipped for comfortable and safe bluewater cruising. This boat has been upgraded by the owner and comes with an impressive inventory list. Haul out with antifoul, hull polish, engine and sail drives service just done (Sep 2023).

This boat is ready for takeover in French Polynesia from April 2024 with some flexibility. ASPE is a very well maintained and sought-after vessel that is ready to take a new owner on her next adventure. Start your sailing dream in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

S/V Belize is a 2001 Fountaine Pajot Athena 38 catamaran, for sale by owner in Mexico. She is currently on the hard at Marina Escondido just south of Loreto. I’m in WA state and would fly down to put the boat in the water and do the sea trial with a buyer under contract. This is a great opportunity to get a cruise ready cat in a great location!

The boat is fully loaded for extended cruising including electronics, windlass, AIS, water maker, built in refrigerator and a new Dometic stand alone fridge/freezer, three anchors, full canvas cover for the cockpit, 1480 watts solar panels with two controllers, battery charger, Highfield RIB dinghy with outboard, fishing gear, two inflatable SUPs, lots of tools including sewing machine and spares.

The twin diesels are the original Volvo 2020MDs with saildrives. The engines run strong and have 3000+ hours each. Sails are in good shape with main with three reef points, roller furling ~130% jib, and a parasailor for down wind.

S/V Misha is a 2000 Lagoon 380 catamaran, for sale by owner. Misha is hull number 15, which if you check the reviews, was better built than later models.

This catamaran has had only 2 owners, NEVER chartered, and is in excellent condition. Only 700 hours on the engines. Custom interior upholstery and curtains. A joy to sail, super easy and fun. The reason for the low engine hours is due to the fact that the original owner lived in Arizona and only used the catamaran in the summer on the San Francisco Bay. This boat has been babied from day one.

The Lagoon 380 is known as the most successful cruising catamaran model. Introduced in 2000, it was built to be a workhouse for the charter industry and an entry level-cruiser. It is a great entry level cruising catamaran that sails better than many other cats and provides lots of living space for the money.

S/V Ruatahi started life as a 1999 Manta 40 and is now a Manta 46 catamaran for sale by owner. Seize the moment with this exclusive offer to own an impeccably upgraded boat at an unparalleled price! Rethought by renowned Naval Architects with expertise in Gunboat yachts, this vessel is now on the market with an irresistible deal that demands your attention.

Experience a transformative upgrade, featuring extended sterns and rudders for enhanced performance and increased load capacity. Modified by Dencho Marine in Marina Del Ray, it guarantees top-tier quality. Boasting “kiwi props,” an extended rig, and other modifications, this sailing dream is now a reality. But there’s more – enjoy a retractable bow sprit, deluxe hot water/heating system, A/C units, and solar panels. Rigorous inspections and annual servicing ensure it remains in pristine condition.

Don’t hesitate! The unbeatable price reduction makes this offer too compelling to overlook. This boat, complete with kayaks, SUP, all linens and galley essentials, is primed for your maritime adventures. Act now, as we’re open to offers. Secure your waterborne escapade today!

S/V Quartersplash is a 2000 Endeavor Victory 35 catamaran, for sale by owner. The name “Quartersplash” comes from the second owner who raced cars and almost broke the land speed record in the quarter mile dash. We are the third owner and purchased Quartersplash nearly three years ago in La Paz, BCS, but circumstances have changed upon the purchase of a home within a few miles of Puerto Escondido marina.

She is light, nimble, and beautiful. We have enjoyed our time on the Sea with her and hope to find someone else who enjoys her as much as we did. Quartersplash is an ideal Sea of Cortez exploration vessel. Very stable, economical and comfortable platform sailing or at anchor. We made numerous additions and upgrades to Quartersplash. This a boat that is at home on the hook, dockside, or underway.

She is an excellent sailing boat and comfortable to be on while offshore or at anchor. It is easily sailed single-handed as all lines lead back to the helm which has an electric winch. The helm can be fully enclosed in the event of inclement weather. The dodger provides excellent visibility and protection. Instrumentation includes a new (2022) Furuno depth sounder/fish finder; Raymarine Wheel Pilot, chart plotter, two USB outlets and an AC at the helm.

Lagoon 570 (South Pacific)

S/V Aldebaran is a classic 2004 Lagoon 570 ocean-cruising catamaran, for sale by owner. She features long, slick hulls for added performance and stability.

Aldebaran underwent major refits from 2014-2023, including new sails, engines, and electric generation.

The boat is easy to handle moving extremely smoothly and efficiently upwind and surfing downwind. In terms of performance/comfort ratio this boat is hard to beat representing a unique opportunity for leisure or offshore cruising. She successfully crossed the Pacific from Panama to French Polynesia in 2023.

Lagoon 400 (Mexico Pacific)

S/V V-Dom is a 2012 Lagoon 400 offered for sale by World’s Aquarium, a 501 C 3 non profit located in Spokane Washington and dedicated to the rescue of sea lions in the Gulf of California.

V-Dom has undergone a change in floor plan, the forward starboard cabin is now converted to storage and Laundry room. She’s had a variety of upgrades over the last year, including: new solar setup in the cockpit, refrigerator and ceiling fan in the cockpit, and new battery setup.

She is now a perfectly sorted out 2012 Lagoon 400 located in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, the jewel of the Sea of Cortes and ready to go sailing in better shape than she was when purchased by World’s Aquarium just one year ago.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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莫斯科克里姆林宫和红场

由俄罗斯和外国建筑家于14世纪至17世纪共同修建的克里姆林宫，作为沙皇的住宅和宗教中心，与13世纪以来俄罗斯所有最重要的历史事件和政治事件密不可分。在红场上防御城墙的脚下坐落的圣瓦西里教堂是俄罗斯传统艺术最漂亮的代表作之一。

El kremlin y la Plaza Roja de Moscú

Indisolublemente vinculado a los más trascendentales acontecimientos históricos y políticos de Rusia desde el siglo XIII, el kremlin de Moscú fue construido entre los siglos XIV y XVII por toda una serie de excelentes arquitectos rusos y extranjeros. Además de ser la residencia del Gran Príncipe, fue un importante centro religioso. Al pie de sus murallas, en la Plaza Roja, se alza la basílica de San Basilio el Bienaventurado, uno de los más hermosos monumentos de arte ortodoxo.

モスクワのクレムリンと赤の広場

source: NFUAJ

Kremlin en Rode Plein, Moskou

Het Kremlin is onlosmakelijk verbonden met alle belangrijke historische en politieke gebeurtenissen in Rusland sinds de 13e eeuw. Het werd door de Grote Prins Yuri van Kiev gesticht als residentie en religieus centrum. De bouw vond plaats tussen de 14e en 17e eeuw en het ontwerp was in handen van uitstekende Russische en buitenlandse architecten. Binnen de muren van het Kremlin vindt men een reeks meesterwerken qua architectuur, maar ook beeldende kunst en religieuze monumenten van uitzonderlijke schoonheid. Aan de voet van de stadsmuren, op het Rode Plein, bevindt zich een van de mooiste Russisch-orthodoxe monumenten, de Pokrovkathedraal ook wel Basiliuskathedraal genoemd.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

At the geographic and historic centre of Moscow, the Moscow Kremlin is the oldest part of the city. First mentioned in the Hypatian Chronicle in 1147 as a fortification erected on the left bank of the Moskva river by Yuri Dolgoruki, Prince of Suzdal, the Kremlin developed and grew with settlements and suburbs which were further surrounded by new fortifications - Kitaigorodsky Wall, Bely Gorod, Zemlyanoy Gorod and others. This determined a radial and circular plan of the centre of Moscow typical of many other Old Russian cities.

In 13th century the Kremlin was the official residence of supreme power - the center of temporal and spiritual life of the state. The Kremlin of the late 15th – early 16th century is one of the major fortifications of Europe (the stone walls and towers of present day were erected in 1485–1516). It contains an ensemble of monuments of outstanding quality.

The most significant churches of the Moscow Kremlin are situated on the Cathedral Square; they are the Cathedral of the Dormition, Church of the Archangel, Church of the Annunciation and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki. Almost all of them were designed by invited Italian architects which is clearly seen in their architectural style. The five-domed Assumption Cathedral (1475–1479) was built by an Italian architect Aristotele Fiorvanti. Its interior is decorated with frescos and a five-tier iconostasis (15th–17th century). The cathedral became the major Russian Orthodox church; a wedding and coronation place for great princes, tsars and emperors as well as the shrine for metropolitans and patriarchs.

In the same square another Italian architect, Alevisio Novi, erected the five-domed Church of the Archangel in 1505-1508. From the 17th to 19th century, its interior was decorated by wonderful frescos and an iconostasis. In this church many great princes and tsars of Moscow are buried. Among them are Ivan I Kalita, Dmitri Donskoi, Ivan III, Ivan IV the Terrible, Mikhail Fedorovich and Alexei Mikhailovich Romanovs.

The Cathedral of the Dormition was built by Pskov architects in 1484–1489. Inside the cathedral some mural paintings of 16th–19th century have been preserved and the icons of Andrei Rublev and Theophanes the Greek are part of the iconostasis.

In 1505-1508 the bell tower of Ivan Veliki was built. Being 82 metres high it was the highest building in Russia which became the focal point of the Kremlin ensemble.

Among the oldest civil buildings of the Moscow Kremlin, the Palace of the Facets (1487–1491) is the most remarkable. Italian architects Marco Fryazin and Pietro Antonio Solario built it as a great hall for holding state ceremonies, celebrations and for receiving foreign ambassadors. The most noteworthy civil construction of the 17th century built by Russian masters is the Teremnoi Palace.

From the early 18th century, when the capital of Russia moved to St. Petersburg, the Kremlin mainly played a ceremonial role with religious functions. By the end of the century the architectural complex of the Kremlin expanded with the Arsenal reconstructed after the Fire of 1797 by Matvei Kazakov. The Senate was built in 1776–1787 according to the plans of the same architect as the home of the highest agency of State power of the Russian Empire - the Ruling Senate. Today it is the residence of the President of Russia.

From 1839 to 1849 a Russian architect K.A. Thon erected the Great Kremlin Palace as a residence of the imperial family which combined ancient Kremlin buildings such as the Palace of the Facets, the Tsarina’s Golden Chamber, Master Chambers, the Teremnoi Palace and the Teremnoi churches. In the Armory Chamber built by K.A. Thon within the complex of the Great Kremlin Palace, there is a 16th century museum officially established by the order of Alexander I in 1806.

Red Square, closely associated with the Kremlin, lies beneath its east wall. At its south end is the famous Pokrovski Cathedral (Cathedral of St Basil the Blessed), one of the most beautiful monuments of Old Russian church architecture, erected in 1555–1560 to commemorate the victory of Ivan the Terrible over the Kazan Khanate. In the 17th century the cathedral gained its up-to-date appearance thanks to the decorative finishing of the domes and painting both inside and outside the cathedral. The construction of Red Square was finished by the late 19th century together with the erection of the Imperial Historic Museum (today the State Historical Museum), the Upper Trading Rows (GUM) and the Middle Trading Rows. In 1929, , Lenin’s Mausoleum, designed by A.V. Shchusev and an outstanding example of the Soviet monumental architecture, was finished.

Criterion (i) : The Kremlin contains within its walls a unique series of masterpieces of architecture and the plastic arts. There are religious monuments of exceptional beauty such as the Church of the Annunciation, the Cathedral of the Dormition, the Church of the Archangel and the bell tower of Ivan Veliki; there are palaces such as the Great Palace of the Kremlin, which comprises within its walls the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin and the Teremnoi Palace. On Red Square is Saint Basil the Blessed, still a major edifice of Russian Orthodox art.

Criterion (ii) : Throughout its history, Russian architecture has clearly been affected many times by influences emanating from the Kremlin. A particular example was the Italian Renaissance. The influence of the style was clearly felt when Rudolfo Aristotele Fioravanti built the Cathedral of the Dormition (1475-79) and grew stronger with the construction of the Granovitaya Palace (Hall of the Facets, 1487-91) by Marco Fryazin and Pietro Antonio Solario. Italian Renaissance also influenced the towers of the fortified enceinte, built during the same period by Solario, using principles established by Milanese engineers (the Nikolskaya and the Spasskaya Towers both date from 1491). The Renaissance expression was even more present in the classic capitals and shells of the Church of the Archangel, reconstructed from 1505 to 1509 by Alevisio Novi.

Criterion (iv) : With its triangular enceinte pierced by four gates and reinforced with 20 towers, the Moscow Kremlin preserves the memory of the wooden fortifications erected by Yuri Dolgoruki around 1156 on the hill at the confluence of the Moskova and Neglinnaya rivers (the Alexander Garden now covers the latter). By its layout and its history of transformations (in the 14th century Dimitri Donskoi had an enceinte of logs built, then the first stone wall), the Moscow Kremlin is the prototype of a Kremlin - the citadel at the centre of Old Russian towns such as Pskov, Tula, Kazan or Smolensk.

Criterion (vi) : From the 13th century to the founding of St Petersburg, the Moscow Kremlin was directly and tangibly associated with every major event in Russian history. A 200-year period of obscurity ended in 1918 when it became the seat of government again. The Mausoleum of Lenin on Red Square is the Soviet Union’s prime example of symbolic monumental architecture. To proclaim the universal significance of the Russian revolution, the funerary urns of heroes of the revolution were incorporated into the Kremlin’s walls between the Nikolskaya and Spasskaya towers. The site thus combines in an exceptional manner the preserved vestiges of bygone days with present-day signs of one of the greatest events in modern history.

From the date of including the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square on the World Heritage List all the components representing the Outstanding Universal Value of the property are within its boundaries. The territory and the integrity of the World Heritage property have also remained unchanged. Within its boundaries the property still comprises all the elements that it contained at the date of nomination. The biggest threat, however, is unregulated commercial development of the adjacent areas.

Authenticity

The history of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square is reflected in the archival documents of 12th–19th century, for example in medieval chronicles, cadastral surveys, estimated construction books, painted lists, inventories, foreign notes and in graphic matters such as manuscripts, chronicles, plans, drafts, engravings, lithographs, sketches of foreign travelers, paintings and photographs. These documents are exceptionally valuable information sources. Comparison of the data received from archival documents and those obtained in the process of field study gives the idea of authenticity of  the property and its different elements. This comparison also serves as the basis for project development and for the choice of the appropriate methods of restoration that may preserve the monuments’ authenticity.

On the border of the ensemble a number of monuments destroyed in the 1930s were reconstructed according to measured plans.

Protection and management requirements

The statutory and institutional framework of an effective protection, management and improvement of the World Heritage property “Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow” has been established by laws and regulations of the Russian Federation and the city of Moscow.

According to the decree of the President of RSFSR of 18 December 1991 № 294, the Moscow Kremlin was included among especially protected cultural properties of nations of Russia - the highest conservation status for cultural and historical monuments in Russian legislation.

“Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow” is a Cultural Heritage Site of federal importance. State protection and management of federal sites is provided by Federal Law of 25.06.2002 № 73-FZ “On cultural heritage sites (historical and cultural monuments) of nations of the Russian Federation”. The federal executive body responsible for protection of the cultural property is the Department for Control, Supervision and Licensing in the Cultural Heritage Sphere of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.It is in charge of all methodological and control functions concerning restoration, usage and support of cultural heritage sites and the territories connected.

The World Heritage property is situated in the urban environment of Moscow. The city policy regarding cultural heritage protection and town-planning regulation is the responsibility of Moscow City Government, represented by the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Department of Urban Development and the Committee for Urban Development and Architecture of Moscow. In 1997 the boundaries of the protective (buffer) zone were approved in order to preserve the property, and to maintain and restore the historical architectural environment as well as the integral visual perception of the property.. There is a need to ensure the creation of an appropriate buffer zone and to develop close liaison between all stakeholders, including the Moscow City authorities, to ensure that constructions around the property do not impact adversely on its Outstanding Universal Value.

The World Heritage property is used by the following organizations: FGBUK (Federal Government Budgetary Institution of Culture), the State Historical and Cultural Museum-preserve “The Moscow Kremlin”, the Administrative Department of the President of the Russian Federation, the Federal Guard Service of the Russian Federation and OJSC “GUM Department Store”.

• Official site of 'The Moscow Kremlin' State Historical and Cultural Museum and Heritage Site
• Moscow Kremlin Museums Telegram Group (in Russian only)
• Moscow Kremlin Museums VKontakte Page (in Russian only)
• Moscow Kremlin Museums Dzen Page (in Russian only)
• State Historical Museum VKontakte Group (in Russian only)
• Msk Guide Page (in Russian only)
• Official site of the State Department Store
• State Historical Museum (in Russian only)

State of Conservation (SOC)

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Moscow drone attack exposes Russia’s vulnerabilities, fuels criticism of military

Moscow attacked by drones

People look at a the apartment building in Moscow, Russia, damaged by a drone in an attack that authorities blamed on Ukraine, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

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An investigator inspects a damage after a Ukrainian drone attacked an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

This photo shows a part of a Ukrainian drone which reportedly damaged an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) Svetlana Chupsheva about a drone attack on Moscow and Moscow region prior to visiting the exhibition “Development of the Creative Economy in Russia” at the Zotov Cultural Center in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

This photo shows a part of an apartment building which was reportedly damaged by Ukrainian drone in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

Police officers and investigators collect parts of a Ukrainian drone which reportedly damaged an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

Police block an area where investigators collect parts of a Ukrainian drone which reportedly damaged an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

In this image taken from video, investigators inspect the building after a Ukrainian drone damaged an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

Police officers guard an area where a Ukrainian drone damaged an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

A window of an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, damaged by a drone in an attack that authorities blamed on Ukraine, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (AP Photo)

Police guard an area as investigators collect parts of a Ukrainian drone which reportedly damaged an apartment building in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. In Moscow, residents reported hearing explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed there had been a drone attack that he said caused “insignificant” damage. (Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency via AP)

A drone attack that targeted Moscow on Tuesday exposed glaring breaches in its air defenses and underlined the capital’s vulnerability as more Russian soil comes under fire amid expectations of a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The attack, which lightly damaged three apartment buildings, angered Russia’s hawks, who scathingly criticized President Vladimir Putin and the military brass for failing to protect the heart of Kremlin power more than 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the front line.

Five of the eight drones that took part in the raid were shot down, the Defense Ministry said, while three others were jammed and forced to veer off course. Some Russian media and bloggers alleged a larger number of drones were involved, but those claims couldn’t be verified.

The attack followed a May 3 drone strike on the Kremlin that lightly damaged the roof of the palace that includes one of Putin’s official residences. Other drones have crashed near Moscow in what Russian authorities described as botched Ukrainian attempts to attack the city and infrastructure facilities in the suburbs.

Last week, the Russian border region of Belgorod was the target of one of the most serious cross-border raids since the war began, with two far-right pro-Ukrainian paramilitary groups claiming responsibility. Officials in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar near annexed Crimea said two drones struck there Friday, damaging residential buildings. The attacks also drew calls for bolstering Russia’s borders.

Ukrainian authorities rejoiced over Tuesday’s drone attack but customarily avoided a claim of responsibility, a response similar to what they said after previous attacks on Russian territory.

In a sarcastic tweet, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that “even artificial intelligence is already smarter and more far-sighted than the Russian military and political leadership.”

The Russian military pummeled the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other cities with cruise missiles and exploding drones for the past three nights, a significant spike in such attacks that have been regularly launched since October. The Ukrainian military said it shot down most of the missiles and remained coy about reporting damage from the strikes.

Putin cast the attack on Moscow as a Ukrainian attempt to intimidate its residents. He said Moscow’s air defenses worked as expected, but admitted that protecting a huge city is a daunting task.

“It’s clear what needs to be done to beef up air defenses, and we will do it,” he added.

Military watchers said the drones used in the attack were relatively crude and cheap but could have a range of up to 1,000 kilometers (over 620 miles). They predicted more could follow.

Some of the drones seen flying toward Moscow were the Ukrainian-made UJ-22s, capable of carrying explosives; others spotted in the skies near Moscow were similarly small vehicles.

Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies International Security Program, noted that part of the reason why drones could make it all the way to Moscow undetected was because Russian air defenses are mostly focused on fending off attacks by more sophisticated weapons.

“They are oriented on missiles, ballistic missiles, regional missiles, aircraft, bombers, but not short- range drones, you know, which might be flying very low over the ground,” Cancian told The Associated Press. “The Russian air defense was just not designed to do this.”

The Russian military will likely move some of its air defense assets away from the front line to help protect Moscow, Cancian said, a move that would weaken Russian troops in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

“That’s good for the Ukrainians in the sense that they’re pulling these systems away from other areas where they could be used maybe from front-line units,” he said.

The Kremlin’s muted response to the attack irked some hawkish commentators and military bloggers in Moscow, who had criticized the Russian leadership for failing to mount a stronger response.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the maverick millionaire head of the Wagner private military contractor that plays a key role on the battlefield in Ukraine, scolded the Russian military leadership and denounced them as “scum” and “swine” for failing to protect Moscow.

“You, the Defense Ministry, have done nothing to launch an offensive,” Prigozhin said in a statement released by his office. “How dare you to allow the drones to reach Moscow?”

Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of the Russian province of Chechnya who sent forces from the region to fight in Ukraine, urged the Kremlin to declare martial law nationwide and use all its resources in Ukraine “to sweep away that terrorist gang.”

Some Kremlin watchers noted that Putin’s calm reaction that contrasted with angry statements from Russian hawks reflects his belief that the public won’t be unsettled by the attack.

“Putin has talked repeatedly about the Russian people’s remarkable patience and tenacity,” Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Endowment said in a commentary. “No matter how defiant another Ukrainian attack is, Putin doesn’t think that it could provoke public discontent with the government.”

She noted that while playing down the strikes makes the authorities look “embarrassed and helpless,” it fits Putin’s course to drag out the conflict.

James Nixey, the director of the Russia and Eurasia program at Chatham House, said Tuesday’s attack signaled a growing Ukrainian determination to launch strikes deep inside Russia and predicted more will come.

“This is not the first and it’s not the last,” Nixey told AP. “The Ukrainians are in various respects flexing their muscles, seeing what they’re capable of hitting back. It is one more part of the Ukrainian play to ensure that they are not just playing defense, but they can play some offense as well.”

Despite the loud calls for revenge, the Russian military can’t do much more than what it has been doing since starting the war, Nixey noted.

“The reality is that Russia does have limits in what it can do. It’s got limits on manpower, limits on its finances, limits on its artillery munitions, missiles, drones, everything,” he said. “They’re already expending all their efforts, all their monies, all their treasure, all their blood if you like on prosecuting their war in Ukraine.”

Follow AP coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war