Tribute to Evgeny Gvozdev

Evgeny Gvozdev
'Said'
'Sailing'


The Slocum Society does not give Evgeny Gvozdev a mention, and yet he sailed twice around the world, the second time aboard an entirely home-built 3.6m micro-yacht. His first circumnavigation took place between 1992 and 1996 in a 5.5 metre yacht named ‘Lena’, similar to the one used at the outset of his third attempt in 2008. Incredibly his home-built craft named ‘Said’ was built on a window balcony adjoining his meagre accommodation. From there he lowered her on ropes to an open lorry for attaching the 100 kilo keel and transportation to the sea, in readiness for a 370 mile shakedown cruise.

In 1999 he set sail for his second circumnavigation from the Caspian Sea, thence via the Mediterranean, the Atlantic to South America, through the Strait of Magellan in February, 2001, but when he was at Puerto Natales, the Chilean Navy declared ‘Said’ was manifestly unsafe for the voyage. They magnanimously transported the boat on a steamer to Puerto Montt, beyond the notorious Golfo de Penas. From there he sailed to Tahiti in the Pacific, and on to Darwin, where, in 2002, the 70 year old Russian ran foul of the Australian immigration authorities, because his passport had expired. This meant he could not obtain a visa and meanwhile, as his boat was at anchor, a thief stole from it food, clothing, money, his camera and his radio. His only option was to return to South Africa where he held a visa.

Evgeny said the average speed of his vessel was 2 knots, and at the outset of long voyages he always packed so much food, and water into the boat that he hardly had room to get in. He planned to take 90 days to reach Tahiti from Puerto Montt. Since he did not carry a satellite phone, or use a SSB radio, he could not communicate with the outside world. He did not have a satellite tracking device for others to follow his progress, which meant his three children and four grandchildren had to be patient in their search for information as to his whereabouts. His limited means of navigation was the use of two plastic sextants, a compass and charts which he exchanged with other sailors.

At the age of 74, in September, 2008, he started a third circumnavigation, this time aboard a 5.5 m production boat identical to that used for his first voyage. Unknown to him, he was to receive a fatal head injury while sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. He was found dead on a beach at Castelporzio in the South of Italy, not far from his yacht, which was stranded on the beach.

Evgeny was a resourceful, humble character who lived his dreams by overcoming obstacles that would put off most dreamers. He was a man, the likes of whom many would admire, yet few would equal or surpass his great achievements.


Russian Web Site
http://parusa.narod.ru/bib/papers/gvozdev/index.htm

Gvozdev Gallery
http://gvozdev.iwt.ru/gallery.htm

Slocum Society
http://www.joshuaslocumsocietyintl.org/