[Weeble]

The "K-61 Ferry version" is designated:

GSP Heavy Amphibious Ferry

DESCRIPTION: The GSP is built on two modified K-61 tracked amphibians, placed side by side and flanked by two large steel pontoons. The set actually consists of two self-contained, mirror-image half-ferries which resemble each other but are not interchangeable . In travel position, one pontoon is folded atop each amphibian. After launching, the pontoons are lowered on hinges to the outer sides of the amphibians and locked in place. The two half-ferries then are locked together and treadways are attached to the top of the decked pontoons and transversely across the gunwales of the amphibians. For loading and unloading, the ferry is equipped with a scissors-type ramp extending from the outer gunwales of both pontoons. The pontoons are filled with foam plastic to make them unsinkable.

CAPABILITIES: The GSP is organic to the engineer battalion of motorized rifle divisions (8 half-ferries) and tank divisions (12 half-ferries). It is also found in engineer brigades, pontoon bridge regiments and assault crossing battalions at ARMY and FRONT level. It is used primarily in support of tank, heavy artillery and missile units in assault river crossings. The self-propelled ferry is capable of carrying up to 50-metric tons of equipment(including medium and heavy tanks, self-propelled artillery and other tank-based equipment) at a water speed of up to 7.7 km/hr. Assembly time is 3 to 5 minutes.

LIMITATIONS: The bank can be no higher than 0.5-meters and the water depth no less than 1.2-meters at the point where the GSP places its ramps to load or unload. Otherwise the ferry can be damaged. The ferries cannot be joined together to form a floating bridge.

(My bold)

From:

http://www.galope.com/mike/eng1_info.htm