Latest news with #SailTrainingInternational
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Banned tall ship seen floating near Buckie harbour
After sailing more than 1000 nautical miles from France, the historic tall ship TS Shtandart was denied entry to Aberdeen days before the event was to take place. Captain Vladimir Martus — whose place of birth is listed as Russia, but is Ukrainian by his father and a tax resident of Germany — has led the crew in previous Tall Ships Races. However, organisers from Sail Training International denied Martus, the crew, and the ship entry. READ MORE: Scottish ice rink set to close due to 'spiralling energy costs' It has now been spotted near Buckie Harbour, sailing along the Moray coast. In a statement calling for organisers to rethink their position, the crew said: 'Let us be absolutely clear, the TS Shtandart is not a Russian ship. 'The only remaining link to Russia is the country of birth of the ship's captain — a long-time resident of Germany, a taxpayer there, and someone who left Russia over a decade ago. 'TS Shtandart is registered under the flag of the Cook Islands. 'It is owned by a Finnish citizen, operated by a German company, and run by an international crew. 'It has no ties – direct or indirect – to the Russian Federation.' Built as a replica of a 1703 frigate, Shtandart was launched 25 years ago. Today, it carries a crew of 22 people from 13 different countries. The ship left France on June 25 to sail around the North Sea and join the 2025 Tall Ships Races, scheduled to start in [[Aberdeen]] and finish in Norway. Despite calls for the festival to reconsider its position, organisers maintained their position, citing 'rulings and legislation.' Some of the crew were due to leave the ship in Aberdeen after their training voyage, it is understood, while others planned to join the ship there and continue on to Norway.
STV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Russian consulate slams 'cancel culture' after tall ship refused entry to Scots harbour
The Russian Consulate of Edinburgh has blamed 'Russophobia' and 'cancel culture' after a tall ship was denied entry into the Port of Aberdeen due to it being captained by a Russian-born man. The TS Shtandart said it had been excluded from the list of participants in the 2025 Tall Ships Races, which are arriving in the North East, in an open letter to the city's port authorities. The Russian (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 were introduced following the invasion of Ukraine. Under the legislation, ships owned, controlled, chartered, or operated by designated persons, those connected with Russia, or those flying the Russian flag or registered in Russia, are prevented from entering UK Ports. It is understood that the TS Shtandart was registered as a Russian vessel until June 2024 and that the captain, Vladimir Martus, was born in an Eastern European country. However, the letter issued states that the ship now sails under the Cook Islands flag, and she has not visited Russia in 15 years. The letter also adds that Mr Martus left Russia more than ten years ago and is now a 'long-term resident and taxpayer in Germany'. Now, the Russian Consulate of Edinburgh has issued a statement of its own. They state that the vessel does not belong to the Russian Federation; however, it is a replica of the Russian frigate built in 1703 by the former Tsar, Peter the Great. The diplomatic office has blamed 'an atmosphere of Russophobia and the notorious 'cancel culture' in all parts of the UK, including Scotland' for the decision. The Consulate statement read: 'We consider this situation as another consequence of the destructive campaign launched by the British authorities aimed at creating an atmosphere of Russophobia and the notorious 'cancel culture' in all parts of the UK, including Scotland. 'The illegitimacy of restrictive measures that contradict international law and common sense is aggravated by the zeal in their implementation taken to the point of absurdity. 'As a result, everything that even remotely resembles Russia is being blocked. In this case, the safety and well-being of seafarers may have also been jeopardised.' Sail Training International has confirmed the Shtandart was due to take part in Race 4 of The Tall Ships Races between Kristiansand, Norway, and Esbjerg, Denmark. However, the vessel was denied entry at both locations in line with current legislation. This resulted in her participation in The Tall Ships Races 2025 being cancelled. They also claim that Mr Martus was 'fully aware of the situation' and that Aberdeen was never a confirmed stop for the Shtandart. The statement read: 'Sail Training International appreciate the difficult position the vessel and her captain find themselves in and we recognise the captain's and his crew's commitment to promoting youth development and to fostering international understanding. 'Sail Training International also fully respects the rulings of the higher national and international authorities and is committed to supporting the local organising teams in each of the ports in upholding existing rulings and legislation.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Ship banned from Tall Ships Race due to Russian sanctions turned away at Orkney
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A ship banned from this weekend's Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen due to Russian sanctions has now been turned away from Orkney as the captain vowed to press on towards the Granite City. The TS Shtandart was turned away by HM Coastguard as it attempted to anchor off the Orkney coast this afternoon (Thursday). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Earlier this week, captain Vladimir Matus learned the ship had been banned from the Port of Aberdeen and had its Tall Ships Races registration revoked due to sanctions designed to pressure Russia into ending its war with Ukraine. Mr Matus, was born in Russia but said he was half Ukrainian and now a tax citizen of Germany who had never supported the war. After being turned away from Orkney, Mr Matus and his crew of 22 , which represent 13 different nationalities aged between 18 and 70, is now set to anchor of Dunnett Head in Caithness tonight. Mr Matus said: 'They were very polite and very nice at Orkney but we are currently in a very difficult situation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I do not think it is fair that we were not allowed to anchor at Orkney. There is no legal right to ban the ship.' The ship, based on an early 18th Century flagship of Peter the Great, is a replica traditionally-crafted boat used for sail training, which did not qualify for sanctions, Mr Matus said. READ MORE: Ship banned from Tall Ships Races due to Russian sanctions Captain Vladimir Matus | contributed The ship dropped the Russian flag in June last year and now sails under Cook Islands colours following guidance from French authorities. However, the Port of Aberdeen said sanctions applied as the Russian flag was still in use after the relevant legislation which bans Russian vessels from British waters was introduced in 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Matus and his crew have sailed from Dunkirk in order to take part in the Tall Ships Races this weekend, with around 50 vessels from around the world to gather in Aberdeen from Friday. The captain said he still planned to sail close to Aberdeen to join the starting line for the next leg of the race across the North Sea to Norway. Some crew members are set to disembark the ship close to Aberdeen and sail ashore in dinghies. The captain has already been told that he will be denied entry to Kristiansand in Norway and Esbjerg in Denmark. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The decision led to Port of Aberdeen to also ban the ship from entry, with the race organisers, Sail Training International , cancelling his registration. 'We are going to start the race and race according to the rules. The sea is for everyone,' Mr Matus said. The Shtandart has sailed across Europe since 1999, providing training for young sailors and taking part in maritime festivals, including previous Tall Ship Races. Mr Matus earlier told The Scotsman that he last visited Russia 10 years ago. But he now confirmed that he visited the country of his birth in 2022 for two weeks on a business trip to update his seaman's book.
South Wales Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Tall Ship Races vessels arrive in Aberdeen
The race began in Le Havre in France in early July and the ships sailed round the coast to Dunkirk before travelling on to Aberdeen. They will stay in Scotland until July 22 and the competing ships will then race to Kristiansand in Norway and finally to Esbjerg in Denmark, arriving there in early August. The festival in Aberdeen is expected to attract around 400,000 visits between Saturday and Tuesday. Around 50 ships from around the globe will be berthed at the quaysides, which will host a range of attractions from food and craft stalls to street performers and concerts, while visitors will also be able to board some of the vessels. Events will also take place elsewhere in the city, including an international crew parade on Sunday with more than 1,500 sailors expected to take part, exhibitions, free activities and art installations. On Tuesday, the ships will depart with a 'parade of sail' along the quayside and beach esplanade. It emerged on Wednesday that tall ship TS Shtandart has been denied entry to the Port of Aberdeen due to current national and international legislation. The captain of the ship was born in Russia and sanctions introduced following the invasion of Ukraine mean the vessel cannot enter a UK port. Shtandart had originally entered to take part in race four between Kristiansand and Esbjerg. The TS Shtandart has released an open letter to the port authorities stating: 'The sail training ship TS Shtandart has been denied entry to the Port of Aberdeen. 'As a result, she and her crew have been excluded from the list of participants in the 2025 Tall Ships Races. 'Let us be absolutely clear: TS Shtandart is not a Russian ship. 'She does not fly the Russian flag. She is registered under the flag of the Cook Islands. She is owned by a Finnish citizen, operated by a German company and crewed by an international team. 'She has not visited Russia for more than 15 years and is neither owned, operated, nor funded – directly or indirectly – by any Russian entity or by the Russian Federation. 'Therefore, she does not fall under any categories listed in Article 57A of the UK Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations. 'The only remaining link to Russia is the captain's place of birth. He left the country over a decade ago and has since been a long-term resident and taxpayer in Germany. He has not returned to Russia in many years and has dedicated his life to education and youth development at sea. 'TS Shtandart carries no political message. She is not a threat nor a tool for propaganda. 'She is a floating school, an ambassador of peace, a bridge between generations and nations.' Sail Training International said Aberdeen was not a confirmed stop for the ship and Shtandart's captain, Vladimir Martus, was fully aware of the situation. It said: 'Sail Training International confirms that it received communications from the ports of Aberdeen, Kristiansand and Esbjerg informing us that Shtandart was denied entry into their ports, due to current national and international legislation. 'As a result of this, Sail Training International regrettably cancelled her participation in The Tall Ships Races 2025.'
Rhyl Journal
6 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Tall Ship Races vessels arrive in Aberdeen
The race began in Le Havre in France in early July and the ships sailed round the coast to Dunkirk before travelling on to Aberdeen. They will stay in Scotland until July 22 and the competing ships will then race to Kristiansand in Norway and finally to Esbjerg in Denmark, arriving there in early August. The festival in Aberdeen is expected to attract around 400,000 visits between Saturday and Tuesday. Around 50 ships from around the globe will be berthed at the quaysides, which will host a range of attractions from food and craft stalls to street performers and concerts, while visitors will also be able to board some of the vessels. Events will also take place elsewhere in the city, including an international crew parade on Sunday with more than 1,500 sailors expected to take part, exhibitions, free activities and art installations. On Tuesday, the ships will depart with a 'parade of sail' along the quayside and beach esplanade. It emerged on Wednesday that tall ship TS Shtandart has been denied entry to the Port of Aberdeen due to current national and international legislation. The captain of the ship was born in Russia and sanctions introduced following the invasion of Ukraine mean the vessel cannot enter a UK port. Shtandart had originally entered to take part in race four between Kristiansand and Esbjerg. The TS Shtandart has released an open letter to the port authorities stating: 'The sail training ship TS Shtandart has been denied entry to the Port of Aberdeen. 'As a result, she and her crew have been excluded from the list of participants in the 2025 Tall Ships Races. 'Let us be absolutely clear: TS Shtandart is not a Russian ship. 'She does not fly the Russian flag. She is registered under the flag of the Cook Islands. She is owned by a Finnish citizen, operated by a German company and crewed by an international team. 'She has not visited Russia for more than 15 years and is neither owned, operated, nor funded – directly or indirectly – by any Russian entity or by the Russian Federation. 'Therefore, she does not fall under any categories listed in Article 57A of the UK Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations. 'The only remaining link to Russia is the captain's place of birth. He left the country over a decade ago and has since been a long-term resident and taxpayer in Germany. He has not returned to Russia in many years and has dedicated his life to education and youth development at sea. 'TS Shtandart carries no political message. She is not a threat nor a tool for propaganda. 'She is a floating school, an ambassador of peace, a bridge between generations and nations.' Sail Training International said Aberdeen was not a confirmed stop for the ship and Shtandart's captain, Vladimir Martus, was fully aware of the situation. It said: 'Sail Training International confirms that it received communications from the ports of Aberdeen, Kristiansand and Esbjerg informing us that Shtandart was denied entry into their ports, due to current national and international legislation. 'As a result of this, Sail Training International regrettably cancelled her participation in The Tall Ships Races 2025.'
