MS Bulgaria recognized suitable for operation in mid-June(adds).

MOSCOW, July 11 (Itar-Tass) -- The MS Bulgaria, which sank on the
Volga River on Sunday, passed a scheduled examination in the middle of
June and was recognized suitable for operation, the Russian Transport
Ministry reported on Monday.
"According to the Russian inland water transport register, the MS
Bulgaria passed a scheduled examination on June 15, 2011. The ship was
found operational in all features," the ministry reported.
The life rafts and boats on the vessel were intended for 156 people.
The ship had also 177 rescue jackets, including those for children. "The
rescue equipment met the requirements of the Russian inland water
transport register," the ministry reported.
The vessels built more than 25 years ago are subjected to annual
sailing inspections, which include the examination of the sailing, rescue
and radio navigation equipment.
The ministry confirmed that the motor ship was built in Czechoslovakia
in 1955 and was not reequipped since then. "The architectural and
structural design was being kept under the design project," a source in
the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the vessel passed an inspection of the hull, sailing and
electric onboard equipment at the Perm shipyard between the navigation
seasons in 2007. "The motor ship was found in an operational technical
condition then. No major malfunctions were found in its technical
condition from 2007 to 2011," the press service of the Transport Ministry
said.
The auxiliary engines of the motor ship were repaired between the
navigation seasons in 2010-2011.
Only 85 people were saved and more than 100 people are reported
missing in the wreckage of the MS Bulgaria on the Volga River.