The Mystery of the Replica Russian Sailing Vessel’s Unannounced Stop in Ireland
The Irish Coast Guard and defense forces were taken by surprise when a replica Russian sailing vessel, the Shtandart, made an unannounced middle-of-the-night stop in a remote Irish seaport. This unexpected visit has sparked an investigation into a possible violation of sanctions against Russia, but the master of the vessel praised the Coast Guard for their understanding.
The Shtandart had faced criticism as it approached Ireland and anchored in Killiney Bay near Dublin on Monday, July 7. Despite protests from an Irish charity working with the Ukrainian community, the vessel continued its journey.
The 220-ton, 25.5-meter replica of a warship built by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 has a rich history. Constructed using traditional wooden shipbuilding methods, the Shtandart is now registered in the Cook Islands, a move that has raised suspicions of sanctions evasion.
The vessel, which departed from St. Malo, France, is en route to participate in Tall Ships Aberdeen in Scotland. With 22 people on board representing 12 nationalities, the Shtandart is on a mission of education and goodwill.
Despite not receiving official permission to dock in Ireland, the ship made a brief stop in Port Oriel, a small fishing harbor in Clogherhead, to take on fresh water. The Coast Guard and local authorities were alerted to the situation, but the master of the vessel praised the “very friendly” approach taken by the Irish officials.
After a short stopover, the Shtandart departed Irish waters, leaving behind questions about the legality of its visit. The Department of Transport and the Irish Navy are awaiting reports from local authorities to determine if any violations occurred.