Russia's Kruzenshtern sailing ship returns to Kaliningrad

Russia's Kruzenshtern sailing ship has returned to her home port in Russia’s exclave on the Baltic Sea, completing its International Trans-Atlantic Expedition commemorating the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The voyage was over a year long and comprised two stages. The Kruzenshtern crew supported the Russian national team at the Vancouver winter Olympics in Canada. The Russian barque was one of the popular sights in the Olympic city. On her way to Canada, the ship completed the difficult maneuver of passing through the Panama Canal for the first time, and played host to two heads of state, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, in Caracas.

The crew has mastered the skill of climbing the barque’s masts.

The guard of honor of the Baltic Fishing Fleet State Academy which operates the vessel, lines up on the moor at the fishing port. The captain reports to the Academy’s rector, Vladimir Volkogon.

Meeting on board the Kruzenshtern attended by Vladimir Volkogon, rector of the Baltic Fishing Fleet State Academy, the barque’s captain Mikhail Novikov and Gennady Kolomensky, the mentor captain.

The Kruzenshtern's crew and the cadets greet their families after the long voyage at sea.

The crew members’ families and friends are happy to visit and examine the ship where their loved ones spent so much time.

Farewell to the ship and friends.