The creation of autonomous underwater vehicles has dramatically increased the effectiveness of all underwater operations. An important feature of autonomous rescue vehicles was the ability to work in difficult conditions. Finally, autonomous underwater vehicles due to the presence of manipulators allow for work at big depths inaccessible to divers.

Initially, it was decided to build several carrier vessels of autonomous underwater vehicles for various purposes. For this purpose, Central Design Bureau Balsudoproekt developed project 05360 of a rescue vessel based on a timber carrier. With a total displacement of almost 8000 tons, vessel 05630 was capable of carrying 2 autonomous underwater vehicles for any purpose. From 1979 to 1984, 2 rescue vessels of this project and 2 vessels of project 05361 (modification for underwater operations) were built at the Vyborg Shipyard.

Salvage vessel Sayany laid down 01 June 1982 at the Vyborg Shipyard (yard. No.574), launched 20 May 1983, commissioned 24 November 1983 and was assigned to the Pacific Fleet.

01 March 2016 the vessel was transferred to the Black Sea Fleet.

Now in service.