World’s first female nuclear icebreaker captain takes command

Russia appoints Marina Starovoytova to lead the Arctic vessel Yamal

Marina Starovoytova has become the world’s first female captain of a nuclear-powered icebreaker, Russia’s state operator Atomflot announced on Wednesday.

She will take command of the icebreaker Yamal, where she previously served as chief mate.

“A captain’s duty is to care for the ship and its crew. I will devote myself to this task every day and look forward to honoring the trust my colleagues have placed in me,” Starovoytova said after receiving her captain’s badge.

Before pursuing certification in ship navigation, she taught Russian language and literature at a rural school in western Russia. She has more than 20 years of experience on both commercial vessels and icebreakers.

Russia is currently the only country operating a nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, with its newest vessel launched last year. Interest in Arctic shipping is growing as melting sea ice makes navigation increasingly possible.

Equipped with two nuclear reactors, the Yamal has helped transport researchers to floating ice and in 2000 made a voyage to the North Pole. The vessel is also recognizable by a distinctive shark jaw painted on its hull.