The Sedov finished 2019 navigation season

The home port gave a warm welcome to the Sedov. There was a cheerful mood on deck. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the heads of the KSTU University complex. Their arrival was preceded by 4 calls according to deep-rooted shipping traditions.

The rector of KSTU Vladimir Volkogon welcomed the cadets and the crew. He congratulated everyone on their safe arrival in Kaliningrad, thanked them for the safety of navigation and commitment. “I would like to address the guys from Murmansk,” said Vladimir Volkogon. "You were lucky enough to be a generation of cadets from Murmansk who rediscovered the the barque and resumed a tradition of sea practice on board of this tall ship. Thank you for your patience, for abidance and adherence. You have already faced a professional challenge; I mean severe weather on the way to Murmansk. This voyage was your induction into the profession. Now each of you is be able to make the choice either you go on working at sea or stay on shore. No matter which profession you take, I wish you good luck, well-being and job-satisfaction. We keep on doing our best to help you," added the Rector.

Master's speech was brief. He said he would make time to meet the cadets and crew again. "I will tell you in detail about all my conclusions and observations," addressed the audience Yevgeny Romashkin . "At the moment I would like to notice it is an honour for me to be your Master and to be with you here," he mentioned.

The speeches elicited applause from the crew and the cadets. When the official part was over everyone came back to their watches or daily responsibilities. Today a normal working day has been declared on board. Local cadets will be allowed to go home, non-resident cadets are having practice until September 5.

In 2019 navigational season the Sedov sailed almost 15 thousand nautical miles. 3 thousand nautical miles of this distance were gone under sail. The Sedov was a site of sea practice for 360 cadets from Rosrybolovstvo institutions and also from Murmansk.

"We have done all the tasks which had been set for this voyage - summed up Academic Operations Officer V. Mikhedenko. "The key task is preparation of cadets for qualification exams or grading tests and psyching guys for teamwork." He said that many cadets would like to stay on the ship and make a circumnavigation of the world 2019/2020, dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by F. Bellingshausen and M. Lazarev and the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. “We would like to see them on board. We would be happy if they work in sailors' positions. After all the guys got their first certificates of competency which they are very proud of,” said the Officer.

Daria Skripaleva, cadet of KMC says, “It is my third voyage. I feel at ease here and I am familiar with everyone on board. I am sure that a lot of cadets would like to stay on the Sedov without a doubt for one more voyage even being aware of possible difficulties. The trip to Murmansk was the hardest one in this voyage. There was pitching, rolling and cold. The temperature in the city was not higher than 10 degrees Celsius. Despite such cold weather conditions locals were very friendly to us, to all the cadets. This compensated the cold.”

Kind reminder: Tomorrow, on August 24, 2019 both training sailing ships of KSTU-BSA RF the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern are welcoming guests. You can visit the vessels from 10 to 16 o'clock at the 18th and 19th berths of the Kaliningrad Sea Fishing Port. Please, have your identification documents with you and wear comfortable heelless shoes.

As planned the barques are staying at the port until mid-September. Then the repair works are going to be scheduled before the large-scale expedition.

Photos by Anastasia Radyuk and Vasiliy Semidianov