On April 4, 1800, Pyotr Kuzmich Pakhutusov was born in Kronstadt, a renowned Russian navigator and hydrographer. His father, a former soldier, rose to the rank of 13th class. Despite modest living conditions, Pyotr received an excellent maritime education and became an outstanding explorer.

In 1816, Pakhutusov entered the Kronstadt Naval School, which he successfully graduated from in 1820, earning the rank of non-commissioned officer and assistant navigator. Upon returning to Arkhangelsk, he participated in an expedition led by navigator Ivanov, exploring the eastern coast of the Barents Sea and the mouth of the Pechora River, and then in an expedition led by navigator Ilya Berezhnoy, studying the western part of the same coast.

In 1828, Pakhutusov became a midshipman and took part in an expedition led by Fyodor Petrovich Litke. This experience proved useful in his subsequent expeditions. The following year, he proposed a project for an expedition to the eastern coast of Novaya Zemlya, but it did not take place due to a lack of funds. Nevertheless, Pakhutusov caught the attention of his superiors and received a promotion in 1831.

From 1832 to 1833, he participated in an expedition led by Lieutenant Krotov, studying the sea route to the mouth of the Yenisei. On the boat "Novaya Zemlya," a survey and mapping of Nikolsky Shara was conducted, describing over 130 versts of the coastline of the eastern shore of Novaya Zemlya up to Savina Bay. For this, Pakhutusov was awarded the Order of Saint Anna of the 3rd degree.

From June 1834 to October 1835, on the boat "Kazakov," Pakhutusov participated in a research expedition to Novaya Zemlya, where geodetic surveys and descriptions of the southern shore of Matotchkin Shara were conducted. Astronomical observations were made to determine the exact location of the strait, and the eastern shore of Novaya Zemlya was described for 160 kilometers north of the strait. At the end of March, the ship was trapped in ice and sank. The crew was rescued, but many fell ill. The expedition reached 74°24′ north latitude and described the islands that were later named Pakhutusov Islands. After returning home, Pakhutusov gained wide recognition.

Unfortunately, Pakhutusov's health could not withstand the trials, and this expedition became his last. On November 7, 1835, he passed away and was buried in Arkhangelsk at the Solombala Cemetery. He left this world young, leaving a significant contribution to marine science.

Pakhutusov's name is still known today, and his memory is immortalized in the names of streets, settlements, mountains, straits, bays, and islands. In 1886, a monument to this outstanding explorer was erected in Kronstadt, funded by Kronstadt navigators. In 1878, a monument depicting a sailing ship was placed on his grave in Arkhangelsk, with inscriptions: "Novaya Zemlya," "Pakhutusov's Coast," "Kara Sea." The inscription on the tombstone speaks of his merits and the hardships he endured.