Two Russian sailors, Evgeny Kovalevsky and Stanislav Berezkin, set out on an ambitious global voyage aboard an inflatable sailing trimaran. While navigating remote waters, they faced a brutal setback when their vessel was overwhelmed by the sea near Easter Island, leaving the crew stranded and in need of help. After sending an SOS, rescuers from Chile answered the call and reached the scene to pull the sailors from danger, ensuring their safety amid the vast expanse of the Pacific. The report from the press service of the television network My Planet, relayed to the correspondent for socialbites.ca, confirmed the successful arrival of aid and the crew’s rescue. (My Planet)
In the aftermath, the crew’s ocean-going trimaran suffered extensive damage, carrying away much of its equipment and supplies. The setback could have derailed the expedition, but a decisive gesture from a seasoned Russian navigator, Dmitry Trubitsyn, helped turn the tide. He provided a spare catamaran, stored on Easter Island for eight years, enabling Kovalevsky and Berezkin to continue their journey rather than abandon the mission entirely. This act of assistance not only preserved the sailors’ momentum but also underscored the tight-knit nature of the international sailing community. (My Planet)
With repairs underway and essentials secured, the team prepared to resume the Pacific crossing on a new craft. The plan called for departing on April 23 at noon local time, steering toward Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands for a month of exploration and preparation, followed by a leg to Tahiti, the capital of French Polynesia. The route was designed to rebuild confidence and reset their pace while collecting essential footage for the ongoing documentary project. (My Planet)
The adventure that follows traces back to Kronstadt, where Kovalevsky and Berezkin embarked on their voyage in July 2021. The expedition, anticipated to conclude in July 2024, forms the backbone of a documentary series chronicling a real-world circumnavigation. The program, titled Swim Across the Ocean: The Story of Circumnavigating a Real World, captures the moments of challenge, resilience, and teamwork that define long-distance seafaring. Viewers would later see this narrative unfold on My Planet TV with a feature tied to the broader journey. (My Planet)