Nadezhda continues its circumnavigation

The Nadezhda frigate is continuing its round the globe voyage dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the first Russian circumnavigation under command of Ivan Kruzenshtern, famous Russian sailor, led that expedition in 1803-1806.

On Tuesday the frigate crossed the Equator for the third time during its voyage, which began in Vladivostok in the Far East a year ago. The vessel crossed the Equator in the Pacific Ocean during its passage from Solomon Islands to Hong Kong.

During the first stage of its voyage Nadezhda traveled to St. Petersburg through the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Suez Canal and the Atlantic Ocean. Then it headed for Latin America and is now crossing the Pacific Ocean. The participants of the expedition, which ends in Vladivostok in March 2005, have already covered about 12,000 miles - about three quarters of the route. The expedition's route is the approximate route the Russian sailors took 200 years ago.

The Nadezhda is carrying students from the State Maritime University in Vladivostok, Russia's main eastern port. Scientists studying the oceans of the world are also on the ship. Russia's Ministry of Transport is the principal sponsor of the voyage.