The circumnavigation expedition of the Tomsk Regional Branch of the RGS on its way to Kronstadt, where the unique voyage will end, stopped in the ancient Russian city of Kostroma. Here, Evgeny Kovalevsky and Stanislav Berezkin were warmly welcomed by local residents and activists of the regional branch of the Russian Geographical Society. The crew of the Russian Ocean Way yacht was helped with the repair of the engine, as well as with seasonal equipment, because winter is already close.
In Kostroma, right before mooring on October 11, an outboard motor, installed by the circumnavigators instead of the yacht's regular engine which had exhausted its resource, sputtered out. Somehow, they managed to get to the wharf using wind. Aleksey Petrov, a traveler and shipbuilder from Kostroma, came to the rescue of the crew on an inflatable boat with a motor. The expedition yacht was placed next to the eco-vessel, which Aleksey is preparing for his own circumnavigation of the world. He showed Kovalevsky and Berezkin his production.
“We were amazed by everything: the giant 3D printer, the motors, and the domed shape of the office,” admitted Evgeny Kovalevsky.
From right to left: Dmitry Shnur, Evgeny Kovalevsky, Aleksey Petrov, Stanislav Berezkin. Photos of the expedition participants
Dmitry Shnur, the head of the expedition team of the Kostroma Regional Branch of the RGS, took the crew of the Russian Ocean Way to the hotel and helped with the check-in. The next day, the outboard motor was going to be repaired and several meetings were to be held with the residents of the city.
The preliminary reason for the failure of the gasoline pump on the outboard motor was not confirmed. It became clear that the problem was much more serious and they would have to stay in Kostroma for several days. But that time was well spent.
Evgeny Kovalevsky and Stanislav Berezkin visited the Headquarters of the Kostroma Regional Branch of the RGS, met with its activists, local sailing enthusiasts, and sailors. Another meeting with the public was held at the regional youth center. The crew also told about their journey to the students from the Center for Young Sailors of the city of Kostroma. The story of the circumnavigation of the world fascinated the audience so much that the crew had to answer a lot of questions for a long time.
At the Headquarters of the Kostroma Regional Branch of the RGS. Photos of the expedition participants
“People were interested in everything: everyday life, the ocean, its inhabitants, difficulties, overseas countries. We were presented with souvenirs from the marine club, and we gifted the young sailors expedition calendars,” said Evgeny Kovalevsky.
Meeting at the Kostroma Youth Center. Photos of the expedition participants
At another meeting at the youth center, Kovalevsky and Berezkin talked with the students from the Young Pilots, Cosmonauts, and Paratroopers Patriotic Club. And again – a story about the circumnavigation, a lot of questions, a photo together, and an exchange of gifts.
The rest of the day and the whole next day had to be devoted to repairing the outboard motor. It was taken off the yacht and taken to the workshop.
“The motor has lasted 1,100 km. Problems with its work began from the very first minute after the start and followed us all the way from Samara to Kostroma. It had difficulty starting or would not start at all, it would sputter out while idling, stopped working when it wanted to. Finally, it sputtered out completely 50 m from the mooring spot in Kostroma,” said Evgeny Kovalevsky.
Outboard motor repair. Photos of the expedition participants
The nine-hour battle for the life of the motor ended with the victory of Kostroma mechanics. The crew of the round-the-world expedition was very grateful to the craftsmen for their high-quality work. Also, before sailing, engine oil and fuel were purchased.
“In the early morning of October 15, Dmitry Shnur picked us up from the hotel, where a few days of stay became a paradise thanks to the kindness of Aleksey Kholodov, trustee of the Kostroma Branch of the RGS, and delivered us to Aleksey Petrov's base. Our sailboat was feeling blue there, waiting for the engine. By 10:30, the engine was installed on the stern, and we drank a farewell coffee. Upon learning about Stanislav's lack of a hat, Svetlana, an employee at the base, gave him her own. And Aleksey, catching my plaintive look, took off his hat with earflaps and put it on my head," Kovalevsky said.
Winter is coming. Evgeny Kovalevsky in an earflap hat. Photos of the expedition participants
The warmth of the souls and hearts of the people who organized the stay of the crew of the Russian Ocean Way yacht in Kostroma will forever remain in the memory of the circumnavigators.
“Many thanks to our chief of staff, the angel and fairy of the expedition Yulia Kalyuzhnaya, and Roman Ryabintsev, whose long-standing partnership has left no doubt about the friendship and mutual assistance of the two regional branches of the RGS: Tomsk and Kostroma,” said Evgeny Kovalevsky.
The expedition vessel is headed for the Rybinsk Floodgates. The goal, Kronstadt, is getting closer; they need to make it before the cold weather.