Haapasaari to St Petersberg
Minka of Southampton - Cruising Log
Edmund Wigan
Fri 1 Jul 2011 09:32
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Position N59 55.5 E030 14.28 Passport
Control
Unfortunately for this overnight trip the wind was
on our nose so we decided to motor. We could have sailed but it would have meant
the journey being 36 hours rather than 24 and we would have arrived at Russian
customs at night.
There was a pleasant but not startling
sunset
 During the night whilst I was on watch I
noticed a boat ahead which seemed stationary. I kept hearing a Russian
Coastguard vessel calling up a ship but assumed it wasn't us as the position it
was giving was a mile or two away and there was a lot of traffic. As I got
nearer we seemed to be getting closer to the position he was giving out. It soon
became apparent that the stationary vessel in front was the Russian Coastguard
vessel and eventually he set off a green flare to attract our attention. Poor
Michael was awoken to deal with this as I have not used his radio yet so don't
know which knob does what. They only wanted to know who we were and where we
were going.
I took this picture of the Russian Coastguard
vessel so will not be taking up photography professionally.
 The entry to St Petersberg Lagoon is quite
impressive as is the lagoon which is about 10 miles by 15 miles. They are
building a surge/flood barrier at the entrance
 So that is the gao they are trying to close with
two large gates.
 Each of which is mounted on a large ball and
socket
 This is an incredible feat of engineering. Going
through the entrance it is all a bit decayed with ancient docks and
crumbling fortifications. There are a large number of old warships in the
docks
 There was quite a lot of traffic coming out through
the lagoon including this barge which was the first evidence for there being a
canal system further up.
 The masts fold to allow it under
bridges.
We found our way to Russian Passport Control where
there was an international naval rally going on.
 Just behind Williwaw (who is in the foreground) was
the rally
  We spent a joyful hour with immigration and
passport control officers who were all very friendly but aghast when Michael
mentioned we were taking the boat to Murmansk....."not possible" and so on.
Fortunately by the time we had completed everything for passport control they
had checked that this was an organised trip and let us go. It was very much an
individual experience. One chap came to Williwaw and escorted us to immigration
and then we immediately had the attention of two officers who took us to
passport control where we went into their office. This was interesting as they
had a TV on showing Russian Soaps and reality shows one of which featured a
Jonathan Ross look alike.
We had a quick look at the naval show and then set
off for the Yacht Club which was about 2 hrs motoring. We were greeted on the
jetty by Lena who has been appointed to look after us whilst we are in St
Petersberg. We had a cold shower each and went to bed about 2200.
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