Time travel a family business
Published 06 April, 2009, 09:32
A family has turned their long-held passion for Russia's maritime history into a profitable business for the future. They have founded a naval club to recreate ancient Russian boats, which then sail around Europe.
Among the museum fleet is ‘Saint Nicholas’, a life-size replica of Russia’s 16th century ships. Moored at the shore in the winter, in summer she can brave the fiercest storms. Her captain Aleksey Dmitriyev has sailed it all over Europe's seas.
“It’s about adventure. Being on such a boat is like a time machine – you can experience the same things as our ancestors,” he said. “People come here to challenge themselves and discover the world.”
A true-to-detail reconstructed ship takes half a year and more than half a million dollars to build. It is far from being an expensive toy. For the Dmitriyev family it’s a lifelong passion that turned into a business.
Thirty years ago, driven by his love of history and exploration, Aleksey’s father Viktor Dmitriyev set up the ‘Polar Odysseus’ naval club and later a museum to recreate Russia’s historic boats using ancient designs.
Dozens of wooden ships have since been built, but the club has also collected some historic pieces, like the first ice-breaker ever built in the region. It used to open the navigating season on the Lake Onega. In the twilight of the USSR it would have ended up as scrap metal, but the club saved this piece of Soviet maritime history to turn it into a part of the museum.
Most of the money is made in the summer – scores of tourists come for boat trips and adventure tours. Russia’s filmmakers are among his clients, and Viktor also creates custom-made ships.
For Viktor it’s not only about profit, but he also wants to make sailing a part of every Russian’s life.
“In the West there’s a whole yachting industry. For many Russians a yacht is something only Abramovich has. But it’s a sport, it’s a part of our history, it's about leisure too,” he said.
A taste for sea travel the old way draws enthusiasts from far and wide. Two years ago Aleksandr Karachev left Moscow to learn the art of sailing.
“Each boat here is different, some offer quite basic living conditions, others can match a five star hotel. But being on the water is always unpredictable,” he said.
Already used to sea storms, Viktor hopes fresh ideas will also keep him afloat in times of financial turmoil. The family believes that even during these tough times there will always be those who will want a taste of adventure.
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