Print text1999 — The fourth stage of the Rus-project
Date: May 30 — June 24, 1999
Route: Istanbul (Tur) — Inebolu (Tur) — Yalta (Ukr) — Feodosia (Ukr) — Kerch (Ukr) — Rostov-on-Don (Rus)
In winter 1999 the Viking-Nevo club got the invitation to take part in the summer voyage of the Viking ship Heimlosa Rus from Finland within the bounds of fourth stage of the international Rus-project. The ship was sailing from Turkey to Russia and experienced Russian seafarers were needed in the crew. In addition the Viking-Nevo had great experience of international joint voyages.
At the end of May the meeting of Sergey Suhoruchenkov, Anatoly Kabanov and Max Pryazhevsky, the Viking-Nevo club-members, with the crew of the Finnish Viking ship Heimlosa Rus took place on the Turkish coast. The most part of the crew was going back home and only two Finns except Russians — Fredrik Koivusalo (the captain of the ship) and Seppo Suhonen ventured to continue the voyage through two seas.
The crew of the ship:
- Fredrik Koivusalo, captain, the leader of the Rus-project (Finland),
- Sergey Suhoruchenkov, the leader of the Viking-Nevo club (Russia),
- Seppo Suhonen (Finland),
- Anatoly Kabanov (Russia),
- Max Pryazhevsky (Russia).
Early in the morning the Viking ship Heimlosa Rus left the Turkish coast and set the course to the open Black Sea. During four-days sea sailing the ship was followed with the shoal of dolphins. It was possible to touch the dolphins putting the hand down overboard. Every night the captain set the night watch — two crew-members for two hours. The first one had to steer the ship and keep the course heading for the stars and the second one had to mark the passed sea miles on the map. The sailing among the dolphins in the middle of the open sea under the black sky with millions of stars will never let you sleep so all the night watches passed successfully. The light and favourable wind was blowing all four days so the Black Sea crossing which was considered as the most difficult and dangerous part in the voyage finished without any problems.
On the fifth day of sailing the Crimean coast appeared. The Heimlosa Rus was going to Yalta. After berthing in the port of Yalta the ship was surrounded by Ukrainian border and customs officials immediately and the crew was ordered to leave the territorial waters of Ukraine as soon as possible. That is why only two stops on the Crimean coast could be done — in Feodisia and in Kerch and after that Heimlosa Rus had to close the border and go to Russia.
The night caught the Heimlosa Rus near Sudak and the captain decided to berth the ship near this ancient castle. Sergey Suhoruchenkov even could swim to the shore in the diving suit under cover of night and replenish supplies violating all the bans of the Ukrainian bordermen. In the morning the ship came to Feodosia where the crew could have some rest and go to sauna.
The next stop was in Kerch. Heimlosa Rus came there late in the night under the pitch darkness and because of that the ship collided with the stones and damaged the rudder. The harbour in Kerch situated in the center of the city and that is why the ship and the crew had to stay under the universal viewing during several days. Kerch is one of most ancient cities in the world and participants of the expedition spent a lot of time visiting many historical places. In one of days the journalist from NTV television company visited Heimlosa Rus and made the TV-report about its brave voyage.
Unfortunately during sailing in the Ukrainian waters the crew got many bureaucratic problems that left the feeling of resentment after visiting Crimean coast. After crossing the Kerch Strait Heimlosa Rus was stopped again — this time by Russian border officials. But they understood the situation quickly and the ship could continue its voyage in the Azov Sea without problems. By this the weather became totally bad that made not easy sailing more difficult. Heimlosa Rus had to berth and wait till the wind would fell down for a long time. As a result the Azov Sea was passed in 12 days — almost the same time as for sailing from Turkey to Kerch.
The arriving of the Viking ship Heimlosa Rus to Rostov-on-Don became the universal holiday. During several days the crew was surrounded with many journalists of different television companies, newspapers and radio stations. Heimlosa Rus was visited by mayor of the city, governor of Rostov region, president of All-Russian Sailing Vessel Association, yachtsmen and citizens. The ship was placed in the Rostselmash yacht club for the winter camp and the crew left for homes after some rest.
After completing the voyage the Russian crew-members of the Viking ship Heimlosa Rus fulfilled the standard of the international class master of sports in boating.
