A towing convoy consisting of a superstructure of a technological oil platform and four tow boats (one main, two aftmost check helm and one auxiliary) put to the northern corner of the Caspian Sea.

The Astrakhan Branch pilots, who accompanied the tow convoy, and employees of the surveyor services and operators of the Astrakhan and Olya Port VTS, who supervised its movement, provided safe navigation of the convoy along the Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal up to the open sea.

The total pilotage distance of the tow convoy along the Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal from the place of its assembly in the village of Ilyinka of the Astrakhan region up to the Caspian Sea was almost 200 kilometres. In order to perform a safe pilotage, the Astrakhan Branch had set out extra floating warning signs, and also conducted necessary dredging works.

As it was mentioned earlier, the pilotage operation had been performed by the Astrakhan Branch pilots in hard conditions of low water levels. Another challenge was bad weather conditions – strong wind, which increased the windage of the towed superstructure.

Nevertheless, the professionalism of the Astrakhan Branch officers resulted in successful performance of a unique pilotage of the central technological platform superstructure to the Caspian Sea along the Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal, in accordance with its transportation schedule.

At present the operation of towing the platform to the Caspian Sea is in its final stage.