The Mir sailing training boat has accepted the first crew of cadets for 2022. On June 10, the day of boarding students on the sailboat, there was an event dedicated to the beginning of navigation practice on the frigate, attended by Alexander Strelnikov, Acting Director of the FSUE “Rosmorport” North-Western Basin Branch, and Sergey Baryshnikov, Rector of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping.

The event included a ceremonial parade of cadets. Alexander Strelnikov and Sergey Baryshnikov made their speeches in front of the students, expressing hope that all cadets would pass their navigation practice, walking thousands of nautical miles, proving their endurance, mastering the art of handling the sails and gaining invaluable naval experience.

After the senior students' parting words to the juniors, a solemn ceremony of handing over the State Flag of the Russian Federation from alumni to the undergraduate students took place.

The Mir is planned to go on its first cruise on June 15. During the navigation practice, which will last until August 10, 2022 for the first crew of cadets, the boat will sail between Kaliningrad and Saint Petersburg.

In total, the sailboat will host 3 supervisors of practice and 120 cadets from the Admiral Makarov State University of the Maritime and Inland Shipping, the College of the Amdiral Makarov SUMIS and the Volga State University of Water Transport during the first shift.

During the practice there will also be an icon of Holy Great Prince Vladimir, Equal of the Apostles, on board. Every year, the precious relic from the Smolny Cathedral in Saint Petersburg is transferred to the sailboat for a period of practice to keep the cadets safe and bless their way.