Winner of yesterday’s prize for the furthest ship from home was presented to Nadezhda (Russia), who has travelled some 10,700 nautical miles to be in Constanta, having departed Vladivostok on 28 June 2016.
Without coming ashore once, they left her home port and sailed through nine seas, one ocean, four straits and one canal: Sea of Japan, Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, South China Sea, Malacca Strait, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea, the Strait of Canakkale, Sea of Marmara, through the Bosphorous and into the Black Sea. Imagine then, the feeling of sailing into the Port of Constanta, 40 meters aloft near the top of the mast, waving and cheering to the crowd and seeing the port and cityscape for the first time after two months of seeing little but the sea, sun, stars and the moon! “It was so amazing for me,” said 1st year cadet Artur Osipenko (pictured). Speaking of the start of his voyage, he said, “I felt scared at first, but when I arrived on board I knew I was going to have a great time and one I would never forget. Originally I had signed on for medical school to be a doctor, but I then knew that my decision to instead go to the Maritime Academy had been the right one for me.”
Life on board
Talking of his daily routine, he said, “Sometimes it can be very hard work. Handing the sails being the hardest. At first our hands were very sore, but now everything is okay. There are 115 cadets on board and we are divided into watches for the three masts. We alternate between lessons, taking watch on deck and resting.
I don’t really know what to expect from this first race. But I do know I will be doing many more!”
Benefits of joining the Tall Ship Races and Regattas
Officer Alexander Tsymbal explained that the events offer so much more than regular training. “International communication being of great importance, and most important after sailing skills. It may be the only Regatta the cadets will do in their lives and they will remember it forever.”
We will catch up with Artur and the crew of Nadezhda later in the Regatta.
Behind the Sails: We asked some trainees to tell us about their feelings thus far
Milan Dminitrova (aged 25). Sailing on Royal Helena (Bulgaria)
Have you sailed before?
No, but it is a great experience to sail, train and make your dreams come true.
Why did you apply?
Because I realised that sailing on a tall ship is some part of me, but I didn’t know that part. Being in the sea is amazing way of life.
How do you feel about the challenge of sailing?
I am very excited! Being in the sea is one of the best things that can happen in my life.
What are you most looking forward to?
I am looking forward to the beginning of the race! For the real race, fight with the wind and the waves. I hope that the weather will be with all of us!
What are you least looking forward to?
Well it will be very sad when this month finishes. Being on board is much better than staying in the safety zone at home. I will miss the sea….
Ps. I want to wish to all the ships in SCF Tall Ships Regatta 2016 good weather, good luck and people… enjoy life! Enjoy sailing!
Juan Gutierrez Meyer (aged 19). Sailing on Atyla (Venuatu)
Have you sailed before?
Yes. Ive been sailing for two months now. I have been working on Atyla as the coach running the personal development programme.
How do you feel about the challenge of sailing?
Fine, I love being out in the sea, with hard conditions.
What are you most looking forward to?
Coming back! Im leaving Constanta but really want to come back…..
What are you least looking forward to?
Im very sad to leave the ship because it has been my home for a long time and part of my family is here.
Ps. Thanks very much to all the volunteers that make this happen. Love you!!
About Sovcomflot
PAO Sovcomflot (SCF Group) is one of the world’s leading shipping companies, specialising in the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas, as well as servicing offshore upstream oil and gas installations and equipment. The Group’s fleet comprises 148 vessels with a total deadweight of over 12.8 million tonnes. The company is registered in St. Petersburg with offices in Moscow, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Vladivostok, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, London, Limassol, and Dubai.
The Group offers a wide range of vessels in the market segments most demanded by major Russian oil and gas companies. With its own technical development and unique approach to advanced technologies, Sovcomflot has the ability to meet the most demanding customer requirements, providing effective transportation for oil and gas companies.
The Group is the title sponsor of SCF Black Sea Tall Ships Regatta 2016. Previously it was also the title sponsor of the similar event held in 2014, as well as a presenting partner of the Tall Ships Races 2009.
vk.com/regatta2016 http://www.facebook.com/tallshipsrussia http://www.instagram.com/tallshipsrussia
