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Helen Drapeko initiated the State Duma involvement in the fate of the Russian research vessel arrested in Sri-Lanka 26 марта 2015 On 25 March the State Duma instructed the Committee for Science and Technology of the request in the Ministry of Economic Development and the Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations (FASO) about the measures aimed at release of the Russian vessel "Academician Nikolai Strakhov" arrested at the port of Colombo (Sri Lanka). The corresponding protocol instruction was prepared by Helen Drapeko, a deputy of the A JUST RUSSIA faction. The document says: "Instruct the Committee for Science and Technology of the request in the RF Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations about information regarding the measures aimed at salvage of the "Academician Nikolai Strakhov", a dual-purpose research vessel." The protocol instruction specifies that "there is installed unique, expensive imported scientific equipment on board the vessel: in particular, a Resson Company sonar system for mapping the ocean floor which is a dual-purpose apparatus complex that falls under the sanctions." According to the document, "the atmosphere on board the ship is charged to the maximum: there are diseased people, and the sailors’ lives and health are at risk. The captain is ready to give direction to hang a SOS signal flag and order the crew to leave the vessel." The document also reminds that at present FASO bears responsibility for the whole research fleet. It also emphasizes that on 15 March the Geological Institute received an order from the Agency which recommended "to take urgent measures for the debt payment and prevention of violation of the ship crew rights. However, the Geological Institute of RAS repeatedly informed FASO that its financial reserves had been exhausted." The document specifies that two vice-prime ministers – Arcady Dvorkobivch and Dmitry Rogozin were informed about the situation. They obliged FASO and MED to find money and save the vessel Moreover, 27 April is the deadline. The research vessel "Academician Nikolai Strakhov" anchored at the port of Colombo after the drive shaft got broken. Earlier it was reported that indebtedness for the vessel's stay at the port (taking into account the penalties) was around $ 200,000. The ship crew of 14 people is still on its board. Power supply of the vessel had been turned off because of the default payment since 11 March, but it was restored after a partial repayment of the debts.
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