The Mir sailing training ship took on board the cadets of the first shift of the current year. On April 20, a solemn ceremony dedicated to the beginning of the sailing practice at the Mir sailing training ship took place on the base of the Federal State-Financed Educational Institution of Higher Education “Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping”.

The event included a ceremonial parade of cadets. Aleksandr Strelnikov, Director of the FSUE “Rosmorport” North-Western Basin Branch, and Elena Smyaglikova, Acting Head of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, traditionally made their speeches in front of the students, expressing hope to all the cadets on the successful completion of sailing practice, during which students will have to sail thousands of nautical miles, try their endurance, master the art of sailing and gain invaluable maritime experience.

Another deeply-rooted ritual was the instruction of undergraduates for the first shift of cadets. After words of encouragement, the cadets who have already passed the practice on the ship in the navigation period of 2022, solemnly handed over the flag of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping to the junior comrades.

The Mir sailing training ship is planned to go on its first sailing on April 24. It will be the first sailing for the absolute majority of trainees. The cadets’ sailing practice will take place in three shifts. The sailing training ship's route will run between Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg.

In total, the sailing training ship will host 3 practice supervisors and 120 cadets from Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, the Admiral Makarov SUMIS College and the Federal State-Financed Educational Institution of Higher Education “Volga State Academy of Water Transport”.

During the navigation practice there will also be the 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 traditionally transferred to the sailboat for a period of practice to keep the seamen safe and bless their way.