10.04.2020

Nikolay Zorchenko: "Pallada is the safest place on the planet"

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The STS Pallada is crossing the Indian Ocean and heading for Singapore to replenish her supplies for a trip to Vladivostok.
Pallada's Master Nikolay Zorchenko says,

"Things are pretty good on board. We were going mainly under sail from Cape Town to Mauritius, and now we are proceeding under power, the weather is favourable. The ocean is calm, and the ambient temperature is quite comfortable, " adds Nikolay Zorchenko.

Of course, the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the world effects the expedition in a way.

"When we called at Cape Town, we felt nothing special, although some limitations had already been introduced especially regarding visiting public places and holding meetings. After a while we had to exclude Port Louis in Mauritius from the route. First, there is a situation that the Mauritian authorities believe is no longer safe for us. Secondly, our water, fuel, and food supplies are sufficient to reach Singapore without any risk," explains Master Zorchenko.

Before Cape Town the Pallada was staying at the port of Ushuaia in mid-February. Ushuaia seemed to be ignored by coronavirus at that moment. By Pallada’s arrival to South Africa the authorities had just started to introduce measures, to check all arrivals in the control area with special thermometers. By April 10, it has been almost 20 days since the departure from Cape Town. It ensures that the quarantine period has already been exceeded.




"I guess Pallada is the safest place on the planet. It is clear that the virus has spread in Asia and Europe. We are being in the middle of the Indian Ocean almost alone, we hardly ever observe any vessel in vicinity. Our cadets are safe and sound," said Nikolay Zorchenko.

The further route of the vessel will also be changed. At the entrance to the Strait of Malacca the Pallada will meet the Sedov and the Russian Naval vessel. They will go to Singapore all together.

"Singapore is still closed for quarantine today. If the process there has declined, then perhaps the port will be opened and we might be allowed to go ashore. Otherwise, we will just replenish our fuel and food supplies to go on sailing. We definitely excluded the exotic port of Muara (Kingdom of Brunei) and Nagasaki from the route. The distance from Singapore to Vladivostok is about 3 thousand nautical miles, but we will be navigating in home seas and heading for home port. It's like walking 100 meters from home to a corner shop. We do not expect any problems,” assured the Master.

During long passages the cadets always find something to do. Nikolai Zorchenko jokingly notes that there are more events on board than people usually have at home. There are evenings of guitar music, sports and athletic contests, standup shows.

"We are preparing for the "Immortal regiment", we will have a solemn meeting, bear the Victory banner, arrange an evening of memories of grandfathers and great - grandfathers who freed the world from fascism, " said Nikolay Zorchenko.

The main thing that the Captain proudly draws attention to: the cadets who spent six month at sea keep a positive stance.

"The main idea of our cadets is to come back home, spend some time with their loved ones and start their next voyage. I am happy about it," says the Master.



Official groups of the expedition in social networks: Vk, Instagram, Facebook
Official website of the frigate Pallada
Track the location of the Pallada in real-time
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