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After 43 days at sea, a Russian passenger ship arrived in New Zealand ahead of a unique sightseeing cruise to some of the most remote places in the country. Reporter LEE KENNY meets the crew.
Aleksandr Pruss has said goodbye to his family many times during his 40 years at sea.
But since he left Russia in mid-October, both his wife and daughter have tested positive for Covid-19.
They are both fine, they have only had mild symptoms, but it was a reminder of how different things are now.
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Pruss is the captain of the Spirit of Enderby / Professor Khromov, a 72-meter passenger ship currently docked in Lyttelton Harbor.
Things I met Pruss at the Wunderbar a few days after his arrival, with Dmitry Medvedev, his first mate, also in tow.
The couple were eager to try a local beer and the bar manager poured each of them a pint of Cassels.
Lee Kenny / Stuff
Aleksandr Pruss, Captain of Spirit of Enderby / Professor Khromov and comrade in chief Dmitry Medvedev.
Pruss lives near Sochi, but joined the ship in Vladivostok, nearly 10,000 kilometers away.
Once there, he and his 22-man crew spent two weeks isolated in port and all were tested three times for Covid-19.
The ship has also undergone a strict cleaning regime, going “under the microscope,” says Pruss.
The precautions were not unfounded.
According to the Moscow Times, Russia has registered more than 21 million cases of Covid-19 and 34,387 deaths due to the virus.
Pruss says New Zealanders are “very lucky” to live in such an isolated country.
“Russia is such a large country that it is impossible to isolate.”
He comments that it is “not typical” to see people’s faces. Masks are now the norm in Russia.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Spirit of Enderby / Professor Khromov crew before landing at Lyttelton this week.
Medvedev adds that New Zealand may be one of the last countries where people still shake hands.
“It is usually like this,” he says, demonstrating a blow to the elbow.
The ship took 29 days to reach New Zealand.
The trip to the South Pacific was uneventful, except for a stop at the equator so the crew could go swimming.
“It’s typical for ships to celebrate Neptune (when they cross the equator),” Pruss says.
“We didn’t have time to celebrate, so we stopped for a swim.”
The crew arrived last Saturday and has since been tested three more times.
The entire ship received clearance from the Health Ministry to disembark and Medvedev shows a letter from the Canterbury District Health Board to prove negative.
CHRIS SKELTON / Things
A Russian-inspired Lyttelton tote bag sold at Henry Trading, based on a design by artist Rory Grant.
The couple is among 225 Russians and Ukrainians currently in Lyttelton.
Most are working on large fishing boats and were transferred to New Zealand before spending 14 days in controlled isolation.
When walking through the port city, Russian is commonly heard, especially near the library, where crew members use the public Wi-Fi to call their loved ones back home.
Most people in Russia would think of New Zealand as a “quiet” place, says Pruss.
“New Zealand is like the United States, with many different nationalities. A mixture, like a good cocktail ”.
Lyttelton is no stranger to Russian sailors and the owner of Henry Trading’s Maree Henry store on London St even sells a Lyttelton Harbor tote bag, written in the Cyrillic alphabet.
The design was created by local artist Rory Grant, and Henry says it is a recognition of Russians and Eastern Europeans who are “part of this community.”
On Sunday, the Spirit of Enderby / Professor Khromov will set sail again, this time with 50 Kiwi passengers on board.
Isaac Wilson / Supplied
Spirit of Enderby / Professor Khromov from a previous trip to Dusky Sound in Fiordland.
The seven day cruise to Stewart Island and Fiorldland has been organized by Heritage Expeditions and has sold out.
The Christchurch-based company specializes in expeditions to remote locations, but this year has created a series of trips to some of New Zealand’s most remote locations.
The Russian ship was built for polar exploration and research, but is also ideal for navigating the islands and inlets of New Zealand.
“I like the size of the boat,” says Pruss.
“A smaller ship can go into tight places. That is exploration. ”
He has never been to Fiordland before, but he has heard that it is a “beautiful place”.
“But for me, every trip is interesting, because on every trip, you meet new people.”
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON / Stuff
Phil de Joux, CEO of Lyttelton Port Company and Aaron Russ of Heritage Expeditions.
Later this month, the vessel will embark on a unique journey to the subantarctic islands: the idea is that passengers can have an international-style holiday without leaving New Zealand.
Founded in 1985 by the Russ family, Heritage Expeditions has spent the past six months working together with the ministry and other government authorities to operate its season in the Southern Ocean.
The company will also charter expeditions to the Ross Unit in Antarctica in January and February.
The trips are expected to generate around $ 5 million for the New Zealand economy.
Lee Kenny / Stuff
Pruss and Medvedev enjoy their pints at Lyttelton’s Wunderbar.
