Vladivostok "Nadezhda" Training Sailing Ship Preparing for Circumnavigation

A training sailing ship, "Nadezhda", of Far Eastern State Marine University is preparing for a circumnavigation, head of Marine University Vyacheslav Sedykh said at a press conference in Vladivostok on Thursday. "Nadezhda" is to sail off on January 21st, he said.

200 years ago Russian sailors headed by Ivan Kruzeshtern and Yuri Lisyansky made their first circumnavigation aboard "Nadezhda" and "Neva" sailing ships. It is to commemorate this event that the "Nadezhda" sailing ship is to set off for a long circumnavigation, the Marine University head stated.

The circumnavigation is to fulfil three major tasks such as students' professional marine training, the Russian national flag's presentation in different countries of the world and complex scientific research of the World Ocean and atmosphere.

The circumnavigation will last for over a year. The ships are scheduled to return in early 2004. Their route will closely repeat the one followed by Kruzenshtern and Lisyansky's ships 200 year ago. While sailing "Nadezhda" is to enter the world's different ports.