On May 16 the first shift of this year's sailing practice of cadets on the "Mir" sailboat began. It will last till July 21. 120 cadets of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping and College of SUMIS - future shipmasters, mechanics and electricians - boarded the sailboat moored in the seaport of the Big Port of Saint Petersburg. They will be accompanied by 3 practice supervisors throughout their training.

Navigation practice is an integral part of the educational process and an important stage of cadets' professional training. During the voyages, they will be able to gain shipboard experience and maritime teamwork skills.

This year a solemn ceremony was held on the territory of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping in honor of the start of the "Mir" sailboat navigation. The event began with the presentation of the flags of Russia, St. Petersburg and the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping to the sounds of the anthem. Rector of the University Sergey Baryshnikov and Director of the FSUE “Rosmorport” North-Western Basin Branch Alexander Strelnikov gave a farewell speech.

"You've already gained excellent theoretical knowledge - practice will help to consolidate it. I am sure that after graduation you will join our company and start your professional career on the vessels of our fleet. Fair winds and a following sea!" - Alexander Strelnikov addressed the students.

At the end of the solemn ceremony, by tradition, on board the sailboat were handed over the flag of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping, which will accompany the cadets on the voyage, as well as the icon of St. Blessed Prince Vladimir, provided by the clergy of the Smolny Cathedral.

During the sailing practice the sailboat will make passages in the Baltic Sea with ship calls to the seaports of Big Port St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

Earlier in May the sailboat "Mir" successfully passed the regular inspection by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. According to the results of the inspection, full technical readiness of the vessel's mechanisms and systems to fulfill its tasks was confirmed.

"Mir" sailboat is one of the fastest training sailboats. The sailboat has repeatedly won prestigious international regattas and also fulfills an important mission to strengthen international cooperation. The vessel makes a great contribution to popularization of maritime professions and training of young personnel for the Russian maritime fleet.