The world tour aboard an inflatable catamaran has continued for two years, with much of the planned route already completed. Evgeny Kovalevsky and Stanislav Berezkin are pursuing three ambitious world records: circumnavigating the globe in an inflatable sailing trimaran that lacks long-range amenities; the longest voyage undertaken in an inflatable craft; and a challenging course around Cape Horn in an inflatable sailing vessel. The team has already completed the Cape Horn leg and is documenting the journey from the Pacific islands to their next destination. The voyage previously paused on Fiji, from which they planned onward travel to Vanuatu.
on the island of Fiji
An excerpt from Evgeny Kovalevsky’s diary dated August 4, 2023 outlines their stop on Vanua Levu in the Fiji archipelago. The crew spent about a week there after crossing Samoa, repairing a hole near the Tuamotu area caused by a small, light-emitting cookie cutter shark and reflecting on the historic presence of Russian mariners in these seas.
The island, a lush green landscape with dense vegetation, resisted easy passage in many areas, leaving several regions nearly untouched by modern development. Nosuralevu, the highest peak at 1032 meters, rises above this rugged terrain, framing a tale of two distinct regions connected by mountain ranges and two principal towns, Savusavu and Labasa. Hot springs offer a chance to boil fish, a traditional touchstone of the island’s cuisine and culture.
During the stay, the crew visited a sacred stone embedded in the earth, which has reportedly grown over time. A local guide named Baba explained that the stone’s height had increased from half a meter to several meters over decades. The stone’s shape is pyramid-like, with subterranean forces said to push it upward. Local belief holds that the stone grows, a legend that has transformed it into a temple of worship adorned with figurines and sacred objects. Among the deities observed was Ganesh, the elephant-headed Indian god, and the area was surrounded by a protective fence after the stone was solidified in place.
The Fiji people were welcoming and warm, and many greeted visitors with Bula, while Vinaka and Moze signaled gratitude and farewell. The expedition toured coconut processing facilities where copra is produced from the island’s abundant plantations. The process involves cracking, drying, and separating the coconut flesh to extract oils for culinary and cosmetic uses, with two distinct drying methods producing different products.
Historical roots trace the Lapita culture to the island, and scholars describe the indigenous population as a blend between Melanesian and Polynesian ancestry. Ancient sea routes moved eastward from Malaysia, shaping the wider Pacific map from Micronesia to Melanesia and on to Polynesia and Easter Island. Fiji draws visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, France, Canada, and beyond. The crew stayed at Marina Kopra Shed, where Jeff, an Australian geologist and marina owner, welcomed them. Dolly, the local manager, coordinated marina operations, and Jeff’s permission allowed the team to work from his office when needed.
The Fiji stop drew attention from the maritime community, with sailors from France, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States converging at Savusavu. A research vessel from the University of Massachusetts contributed to ocean ecology studies, highlighting the international interest in this voyage.
Conversations with Stanislav explored historical figures in Russian exploration, including Krusenstern, Bellingshausen, Kotzebue, and Litke. The crew shared updates about their Siberian connections, Tomsk and Novosibirsk, universities, science, and the natural world, often drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience. A video about New Year’s celebrations in Tomsk was met with sustained applause.
In the Fiji leg, the team consisted of Evgeny Kovalevsky and Stanislav Berezkin, joined by French sailor Vincent Boe. After meetings, another French navigator expressed interest in moving toward Vanuatu. Plans for the immediate future included a stop in Labasa to explore the Temple of the Serpent and a floating island before heading to Viti Levu and ultimately Vanuatu.
On the way to Vanuatu
An excerpt from Evgeny Kovalevsky’s diary dated August 13, 2023 describes the passage from Viti Levu toward Port Vila, Vanuatu, via the Russian Ocean Road. After three days at Vouda Marina on Viti Levu, the crew departed for Vanuatu at 11:00, having completed essential rigging, hull protection, and provisioning tasks.
The team secured food and supplies, including canned goods, fresh fruit, nuts, and spices, while sharing large video files with headquarters and partners. They captured high-quality imagery of the catamaran for logistical support and created video content for television and press materials. Visits to two temples—Sri Shiva Subramanya and Sri Krishna Kali—augmented the cultural record of the journey. The group coordinated a schedule with headquarters that mapped Fiji to Vanuatu in August, followed by links to Cairns, Darwin, and Indonesia, with a long-term plan to Phuket in the new year. The itinerary also includes potential stops in Australia and Asia as the year unfolds.
Plans for the next legs included a return to Vanuatu, then onward to Cairns, Australia, and across the continent toward Bali. The crew anticipated collaboration with media and scientific outlets to document the voyage’s ecological and cultural dimensions. A member named Julia prepared to travel to Australia with crucial spare parts and a Kyrgyz bank debit card to support on-site purchases, ensuring the mission’s logistics could be sustained at distant ports.
Back on the docks, the crew hosted a gathering of about 80 sailors at Vuda Marina, celebrating more than a hundred catamaran excursions and welcoming a steady stream of participants. The team’s presence left a positive impression on the local and visiting sailors, who were reminded of the new circumnavigation experience. An article about the journey appeared in a respected sailing publication, underscoring the expedition’s visibility within the international sailing community. A Russian sailor named Anatoly offered substantial support, and the crew continued to exchange news and songs with new friends before moving onward to Vanuatu. The group anticipated a week of continued motion, training others in navigation and seamanship as they pressed toward the day’s next horizon, keeping the spirit of exploration alive as they sailed onward.