As we reported, a sailing yacht " Shokan Ualikhanov " successfully continued the suspended because of financial problems, the first Kazakh naval Around the World "Terra Vita". The crew returned to South America to prepare after standing for two years on the island of Antigua to ship long march and begin the second stage of the Pacific coast of Ecuador with a tour around the world. Before departure our correspondents met with the yacht and crew. Yacht-club "Puerto Lucia" - between the towns of La Libertad and Salinos. Here, in international sailing ships at berth is Kazakhstan yacht "Shokan Ualikhanov." Frolic huge gray pelicans, "shot down the bombers' dive into the ocean, and the sailors not to fun, they are engaged in business - the day after tomorrow they will ocean. Tested all the systems - from stem to stern and from keel to mast stamp, something repaired or replaced. On the writing table is a list of what needs to buy. Painting the bottom is finished; it was treated with a special substance that does not stick badly affecting the speed and control algae and mollusks. "For a complete happiness" should be replaced by another sail, but it is advisable to do when the boat gets to the French Polynesia, which has with France, the country - the manufacturer of sails and the yacht, a common customs area.

In general, a modern yacht - a product of technology and art, which merged if not all of the many sciences. It is only at first glance seems to mess cozy kitchen is well repaired, "Khrushchev". One has only to lift the lid or seat open "kitchen" shelf - gaze presents all sorts of pipes, cables, ropes ... On both sides of the width of the rectangle drawing-room - the door to sleeping cabins, a galley, a latrine. In short, in close quarters, but not mad.

The crew of the yacht is as follows: head of the Central Asian society and the project "Terra Vita" Dmitri Petrukhin, Captain Alexander Lavrinov, his senior aide, Vitaly Melnikov, navigator Almas Mynbayev sailors Tarabanovsky Michael and Konstantin Rudenko. Petrukhin, while only trying to be a sailor, but had already managed to gain fame world wider - he traveled the world on a motorcycle. The team is grateful to Dmitry Ivanovich, because of heavy time for the expedition, he used his amazing punching ability to find sponsors to continue the campaign. As acknowledged by the captain Lavrinov for him the initiative of Kazakhstan's most famous traveler came as a surprise. After all, there was no certainty that achieves Petrukhin resumption of circumnavigation. Nevertheless, the task set is executed, and there is nothing surprising in the fact that the guide boat, but good-natured captain Lavrinova, there are still demanding "Admiral" Petrukhin. For the first time on a yacht and Michael Tarabanovsky, the only difference that it is 3 years of its 22 worked for the captain of the Caspian Sea, and sailing is engaged at all since childhood.

The other four - proven veterans "Shokan Ualikhanov."  Four years ago they were selected from 2500 applicants, etc. - seamanship training in Thailand with the presentation of the certificates. And yet there was little practical experience, and Lavrinov not without risk starts with the crew of September 25, 2007 from the port of Aktau. In this study already had in the Atlantic phase, after which in Guadeloupe (Caribbean, Central America) valihanovtsy had received training world-class. Very high quality skills praises captain Konstantin Rudenko technician. Largely thanks to him working steadily equipment stuffed various devices of the ship. By the way, TSAGO received offers to include a crew of European sailors. However, even Petrukhin would not hear of it, essentially endorsing the Kazakh crew, and - a multinational. And it is - the right decision, said guide TSAGO.

Pacific will be the stage for the longest circumnavigation - it is about 7200 miles up the coast of Australia, the passage of which the team devotes two and a half - three months. But if peaceful beach dominates the Humboldt Current, then after 600 miles will blow trade winds, the waves will be serious. So that the ocean can make adjustments in time and route of the expedition. Will be of great help to the newly installed satellite internet yacht: it's electronic navigation charts (in addition to paper, which helped to get the sailors of other boats, "Puerto Lucia"), and getting the freshest weather reports, communication with fellow countrymen and, of course, to familiarize everyone with the progress Around the World. The site will be interactive map CAGS travel, showing the location of the yacht.

Importantly, the project will give a chance to see the ocean Kazakhs eye countrymen - in the narrative function of the campaign. Petrukhin and the company plans to become experienced ocean fishermen, as well as visit the many islands, which have never stepped foot citizen of our country. Most likely, there will be many seemingly inexplicable. For example, in the Alboran Sea, a day that the way to Gibraltar, the boat drifted a few minutes between the strings of unknown origin "bulbs" that appeared on both sides. Plankton has similar properties, but it is possible to lay out a flat "runway" - still a mystery to the crew members, each of whom have seen this phenomenon in a slightly different way.

... The second time we met with the crew before the sailing. In a solemn ceremony held a press conference and award medals and diplomas crew CAGS "Polar Star". Bon voyage and good wind sailors wish our presidents geographical societies of Ecuador, Panama and Chile. Telephone message was received from the headquarters of a similar association USA. Found on the wires for the privilege of attending a member of RGS Natalia Kharlamova, president of the Yacht Club "Puerto Lucia", fellow sailors ... Then the boat cast off, heading to the Galapagos Islands. Ecuadorian authorities have made an exception for Kazakhstan - everything else is allowed to visit this corner of the reserve only by plane. In general, all the sailors-world wider world is in a special way, especially for our crew, it is the first in history where such a trip is organized from the center of Eurasia, a country without direct access to the ocean. And the sailors of foreign countries pay attention to the flag of Kazakhstan - he is so handsome.

The project "Terra Vita" is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Independence of our country, and he had a sponsor JSC "Mangistaumunaigaz 'Association KazEnergy and JSC" NC "KMG".

Vitaly LIFINTSEV, Yuri BECKER,