Kapitan Man
Encyclopedia
The Kapitan Man is a former Soviet-era multi-purpose merchant ship (call sign UIFU). Part of a series of ships, she was designed to navigate the Arctic waters and is fitted with an ice-breaking bow
. The ship is currently registered and operating under the Russian flag. The ship is named after the Soviet polar explorer, captain Ivan Man (1903-1982).
On 4 April 1997, the ship was a part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca laser incident
between the Russian crew and Canadian and United States military. The ship had long been suspected of conducting covert espionage operations either for hire or for the Russian military.
Kapitan Man is owned by the Far East Shipping Company
(FESCO)—a cargo outfit based in Vladivostok
, Russia with known ties to the Russian military. As further evidence of the espionage being conducted by FESCO, a joint U.S. Customs and Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) inspection of the Kapitan Man in April, 1993 found environmental data equipment—including sophisticated sonar equipment—used solely to conduct anti-submarine warfare
. (ASW).
Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters. Although the term usually refers to ice-breaking ships, it may also refer to smaller vessels .For a ship to be considered an icebreaker, it requires three traits most...
. The ship is currently registered and operating under the Russian flag. The ship is named after the Soviet polar explorer, captain Ivan Man (1903-1982).
On 4 April 1997, the ship was a part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca laser incident
Strait of Juan de Fuca laser incident
The Strait of Juan de Fuca laser incident occurred on 4 April 1997, when the Russian merchant ship Kapitan Man was anchored in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, approximately due north of Port Angeles, Washington...
between the Russian crew and Canadian and United States military. The ship had long been suspected of conducting covert espionage operations either for hire or for the Russian military.
Kapitan Man is owned by the Far East Shipping Company
Far East Shipping Company
The Far East Shipping Company is a Russian ship-owning company and the base company of FESCO Group. Founded in the 19th century in Vladivostok, the company now owns a fleet of 50 vessels, totaling 880 thsd DWT.- Share capital and management :...
(FESCO)—a cargo outfit based in Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Russia with known ties to the Russian military. As further evidence of the espionage being conducted by FESCO, a joint U.S. Customs and Immigration and Naturalization Service
Immigration and Naturalization Service
The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service , now referred to as Legacy INS, ceased to exist under that name on March 1, 2003, when most of its functions were transferred from the Department of Justice to three new components within the newly created Department of Homeland Security, as...
(INS) inspection of the Kapitan Man in April, 1993 found environmental data equipment—including sophisticated sonar equipment—used solely to conduct anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
. (ASW).