“A grateful ex-Navy diver”

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Article by: Dr Elina Komarova-Tagar

Photos by: Regine Lord

In March 2020, Cape Town welcomed (with some restrictions due to the covid-19 related lockdown) the Russian training ships Sedov and Pallada.

These two sailing vessels visited Cape Town during their round-the-world trip dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by a Russian Naval Expedition and in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945).

Sedov is a four-masted steel barque that, for almost 80 years, was the largest traditional sailing ship, while Pallada is a three-masted frigate that is regarded as the world’s fastest sailing ship. They were berthed at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town for a few days during March, but unfortunately, due to covid-19 restrictions, no visits, social activities or group tours were permitted.

Ex-Navy diver Mr André van Heerden was warmly welcomed onboard the Sedov by Capt E. Romashkin and invited to be part of an official delegation.  He also gave an interview to the media project Rendezvouz with Russia, which supported the historic voyage.

I was fortunate to be allowed onboard during this visit, and thus captured some memorable photos.

Published in the Navy News of December 2020-January 2021.