Recently foreign tourists have been permitted for coming into inland waterways. I want to believe, that somebody visit us.
However hardly we are ready for taking in guests. Infrastructure is hardly enough for our vacationers and ratio cost-quality is poor. We have a lot of possibilities in such directions as sport, rest, education and finally transport. Why do vacationers travel in busses being heated by sun “Around the Golden Ring of Russia”, but not go from dock? It should seem, place just one normal dock in the city, and tourists will arrive here – so many boats are located in garages and moorages. The tourists will go to the museums, will not save money for souvenirs and entertainment...
However yachting development is very slow. Anna Lebedeva, Commercial Director of Marinetek Spb has told us about its reasons.
During forum “St. Petersburg Is a Marine Capital of Russia. Sea Tourism” you have presented paper “Complex Development of Infrastructure for Yacht Ports”. It is not a secret, that yacht business is being developed now, fleet mainly motored one of course is growing, and trend associated with yacht moorages and ports shall be developed.
This year inland waterways have been opened for foreign yachtsmen. In addition to them there are many Russian shipowners, especially in such centers as St. Petersburg, Moscow and Moscow region. They want travel and navigate in unknown water areas. It reasonable that demand for organization rescue stations, marines, ports of distress, fueling stations along all routes, along which the yacht could navigate, for example, within one week. We say nothing of travels, for example, from St. Petersburg to Caspian Sea. Only ideological people, who are trained and not very occupied or for whom yachting is a part of their work, are capable to do it. Most part of shipowners can’t allow for themselves leaving their businesses for longer than one or two weeks. Therefore, travel area is limited by the distances from St. Petersburg to Moscow and from Moscow down the river. In my opinion, it is the most perspective water areas.
Certainly, question concerning complex development of infrastructure has emerged at once and first of all this question is not about moorage, but about navigation circumstances in inland waterways. By my own experience I can tell, that even in Vyborg skerries, where tourists actively yacht, half of navigation buoys and signs presence only on map. It is a great problem. If our compatriots get used to such disorganization in sea and orient by situation, then foreigners consider, that if it is drawn, then it shall be placed, if it is specified, then it shall be lit. But navigation circumstance is a state business, and there is nothing to do but remember about existing problem and stand for its quick solving.
On the other hand the state observes deterioration of navigation circumstances, and stands for small boats. The representatives of Maritime Register having made the report in the forum state that much attention is paid to simplification of vessel registration procedure and further reissuance.
Everybody breathes a sigh of relief, when mess with registration and supervision stop, when there is one or two (as now) agencies directly controlling vessel registration depending on location. When yacht passes the first technical inspection and registered, it is sufficiently long and much expensive process, but further annual technical inspection of vessel passes easier. But fundamentally now the situation is greatly similar to “nut tightening”.
Representatives of Marine Register have mentioned in its speech, that they understand, how expensive yacht equipping is for the owner according to the requirements of the Register. So if there is no one or another facility on vessel, they just decrease navigation class. However it greatly hurts feelings of the owner. Of course, if previously it could go for fishing to the Ladoga Lake, now navigation “not farther than 15 miles from port of distress” is prescribed for it. It makes us worry.
Of course, shipowner ambitions will be impinged. However, both the Ladoga and Onega Lakes are practically sea and it is dangerous to allow for vessels to navigate without preparation, firstly, for them.
I agree. But if these ports of distress are uniformly distributed along lakeshore, the vessel could easily pass along the whole lake from point to point. And the question about insufficient infrastructure development has emerged again.
It so happened, that during the forum I was interrupted at the issue concerning international classification of marines also being sufficiently interesting issue not having adequate solution yet. The key point consists in, who will be considered to be sufficiently qualified specialist for facility evaluation. We have not yet had associations or professional union of people understanding in marines and professional service for yacht, which might be recognized by the owners of yacht ports.
And who does inspect marines now?
State Small Boat Inspection. It is moorage base being controlled by State Small Boat Inspection. And in this relation state inspectors are clever, they check safety first of all, particularly, fire safety and availability of rescue equipment.
Certification of marines, which has been concerned during the forum, is certainly a marketing element, more precisely, net marketing. When you declare, that you have moorage with “five gold anchors”, then the customer understands, that such conditions are observed. And this person comes to you being ready to pay for comfort.
I consider, that in order to transfer to such “demonstrative" certification so that it is not limited, we shall create some association being sufficiently professional in order to win respect of vessel owners. Then rating will be introduced and inspections will be performed. One of logical requirements for marines will be their environmental friendliness. How are liquid wastes and lubricants and fuels controlled in moorage?
Requirements for maintenance and operation of such facilities are sufficiently wide and absolutely fair in my opinion. In European countries norms are more strictly than in Russia, we have nothing to complain about. In principle yachts generate hazardous wastes, as a consequence, there is a necessity to obtain limits and execute certificates, which are put into marine activity.
When speaking about operation of such dangerous industrial facilities as cranes, I don’t know, how it is now, but earlier their operation has been certified and controlled by organization called Rostekhnadzor. While marine designing conditions for such equipment shall be thought over, it is obviously. If everything is provided beforehand, in future the problem will be much less.
And certainly the third problem item is operation of floating fuel station (any fuel station at all). It is impossible to construct stationary fuel station in yacht club, there are norms for the distance from fuel tanks to coastline taking into account these requirements hoses can’t be led to yachts. There is a solution successfully proving itself, which consists in that floating fueling stations Rack-Mount Nonpropelled Refuelling Vessels also have a number of adjusted parameters and requirements (if officially). Certainly, these regulations shall be known and observed. That person, who confirms, that such facilities can’t be operated lawfully, is not right. It has just prepared insufficiently.
It is logical, that “demonstrative” certification initiates marines for observing requirements of State Inspectorates. How is it real to see professional organization of marine owners and constructors for example in the nearest two years?
There is National Association of Marine Industry, which is also initiator of Moscow Boat-show, but this association is regional, Moscow. From time to time they ok with the representatives of other regions.
I think that as a preliminary such organization can be established in each region. Later on they could combine into one society. I think that the next step can be associate with North-West, St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region, potential has already accumulated. But here we should understand purposes, for which this association is established and where from financing shall be got. Conditionally if Association exists on membership fees, Association will not earn much.
Weather is business developed actively enough, in order to contribute to establishing such organizations?
The business provides he representatives of different regions combine. It is more difficult to come to an agreement between each other within the limits of one region.
The market is still highly competitive and there are still few buyers, and supply is already great enough. I think, that a single purpose, for which business can be combined, consists in getting of national assistance and development of the market, i. e. demand. Nowadays yacht sellers hardly hold negotiations for common businesses, the manufacturers of infrastructure struggle for each order. While it is most likely competition, than cooperation.
We, Marinetek, being international company with headquarters in Finland and representative offices in 20 countries, have appeared in the market of Russia since 2002. The first out work was Marine Yacht Club in St. Petersburg. Now we have sufficiently large geography and activity, we had projects in Moscow and Kaliningrad. We have started just as the suppliers of equipment, then we have passed to assembly of this equipment, facility analysis and designing. We have closed the whole chain: from ideology of marine creation, analysis of location and reasonability of construction till designing and turnkey construction and further to management control. Besides, here we have two perspective subjects, which are software for yacht clubs and administration.
Is special software required for marines? There are several special foreign software products to provide marine activity. There were attempts to their transfer and even adaptation to our tax requirements. In this base managers can issue invoices, register customers and transform these data into accountant base 1С. Certainly, sooner or later this software will be in demand in our moorage, such products are thought out, demonstrative and meet specific features. Moreover, the port growths fast: today we have marine for 50 moorage places, tomorrow it will be for 100 places, the day after tomorrow it will include 200 places. And documentation keeping and customer registration are sufficiently labour-intensive work, the owner always want to simplify and systematize it. The software can also obviously show: place is occupied, free and reserved.
When we started to perform the complete work cycle, it has become clear, that in half of cases information previously collected is enough for adequate evaluation of project perspective. It is obvious, that marine is commercial facility, people investing in it want to get the certain profit. Marine availability properly influence the total cost of area, for example, villa community. Moscow examples show cost increasing by up to 50 % at small investments. This method is sufficiently widespread in the world and has confirmed its efficiency.
The other case, when marine is created from the very beginning as the separate business. Issue about reasonability and profitability of facility arises. Selection of area for the project, analysis of territory, potential costs, prospects and auditorium are important and can significantly influence decision making. We perform similar work for a long time.
At proper time we also took part in designing of field program on development of moorage base for small boats in Petersburg. We performed inventory and analysis of works for existing marines and developed offers, where facilities of such type were in demand. It was interesting experience. The program was approved and those areas, that we planned, were included into Plot Plan just as territory for marine rest and recreation, and not just industrial facilities. It is significant item.
You have touched upon issue on reasonability in your speech when telling about Baikal marine. How adequately do owners evaluate their efforts, meet recommendations of specialists in relation to technologies for construction and further operation?
The technology, which is used at the described facility in Baikal, is more suitable for port construction for heavy-tonnage vessels. The cost of facility is suddenly increased, and ease of further operation for small boats is extremely doubtful.
For example. Why we are engaged in floating facilities mainly, and why the whole world uses floating berthing structures? Previously we have constructed stationary docks, driven piles, made frame, concrete form, filled with concrete and coated with wood. But such piers don’t reflect either water level fluctuation or ice motion, which can’t be escaped; we live in the northern country.
In this project government funds are used, nobody has saved it specifically, and the project has been made by the institutes not relating to the yacht infrastructure previously. Cost estimate is increased by half firstly due to incorrectly selected technology and inconvenience in further operation, lifting and lowering is organized by the method, about which nobody has yet remembered for forty years, the same situation with maintenance and vessel mooring. Maybe all this is a consequence of lack in experience and absence of contact with the companies of this branch and shipowners. Finally great moneys will be spent and expensive yacht port being inconvenient for further operation will be constructed.
Organizations and companies, which know the technology, appear, they have studied foreign experience, constructed their own facilities, tried to use modern materials and technologies, considered the customer’s opinion. Why you have not consulted with them?
Several years ago the discussion was about creation of standard projects of hotels and refueling stations in order to simplify development of infrastructure in waterways. As far as I understand, it has not been made. How do marine owners register their projects?
Those organizations, which construct floating refueling stations (4-5 companies), shall coordinate their projects with the requirements of River Register. The same for landing stages of floating hotels: everything, that exceeds 80 tons, shall be controlled by the register.
And there is no the necessity to develop standard solutions. Each customer shall specify their requirements for hotels, some people like ciphers, other ones like hi-tech. If the project has passed the appropriate check, construction is allowed to be performed. And owners were not generally made happy with standard projects, and it is not foreseen.
The main point consists in money and reasonability of operation. Location of one station anywhere in Rybinsk between St. Petersburg and Moscow is economically unprofitable; it will be paid off within fifteen years. But if several refueling stations will be located, as it is made by a number of refueling companies nowadays, the costs will be paid off faster due to territory coverage. It is necessary to understand, that stations operate within half year, for the rest time they are removed from operation. For example, contract conclusion with yacht clubs or companies involving in water activities, provides any constant inrush of customers for these networks. There are also independent facilities, but how they are paid off it is not understandable. Maybe someone has its own small fuel business, and, therefore, there is a possibility to purchase fuel by reduced costs.
It is clear that the stations are removed from operation. But how does marine exist during winter?
Winter yacht storage, their repair, painting, preparation for season. Yacht club is used as the complex, and not only as moorage, can attract people due to restaurant and rest at all. For example, “Nevsky Yacht Club” in Galerny Fairway Boot Basin (opposite to existing Lenexpo) moved all quays in one corner in winter and skating-rink was made. Certainly, it was non-commercial facility, but life for club and around the rink can be organized, for example, hire, cafe, etc. can be provided.
And what about hotels and other facilities?
Here we pass into completely another business not associated with water.
Many discussions were held and the idea for distribution of network “civilization facilities” via waterways was presented. Small landing stage hotel with restaurant for year-round work, floating refueling station, bay infrastructure with water and electricity, that minimum, which can be arranged almost everywhere.
Such network can be good motivation for tourist navigation. Think yourself, safety is provided (security, lockers). Tourist can leave its boat and quietly go to see sights in the city. Indeed you can’t just leave your boat, it is scary, because it can be taken away. Water and electricity allow maintaining life on the yacht. Refuelling station allows moving forward. Probably hotel and restaurant are required for usual tourists, because its own society will be formed around such facility. Initial condition is utilities laid close to the water, small are near coastline. The main point is consists in the fact, who can bring the project to life and with what purpose.
The serious stimulus can be ensuring navigation safety in inland waterways. We again return to the situation with buoys and signs, fairways, which shall be cleaned, dispatching, which is unavailable, and week queues for gate opening. I remember Holland with its small and nice villages. There you approach the bridge on yacht and give a signal. From the nearest garden local old woman goes down, passes box by string, where you shall throw several coins, and she opens bridge for you by pressing button. Everything is simple and without problems. Most likely, the government pays to her for bridge opening, and we are pleasant because of such adventure and action. We would like, if our development programs are focused on such result. It is clear, that it is impossible to make people happier just by programs, but their life can be slightly improved, why not?
In the world practice significant moment consists in fairway, dredging and creation of wave protection, especially if it is referred to offshore areas. In the rivers lakes it is easier to find protected bay being suitable for marine construction. Seashore requires preliminary preparation. Even our coastline of the Gulf of Finland is dangerous. In autumn wave with height up to 2.5 meters easily destroy berthing structures, and the coast is very beachy. It is necessary to construct protection, as it is made in Zelenogorsk in club “Terijoki” and perform dredging. But capital works are so difficult for the whole business, which can be organized in the yacht club, that the projects are closed.
However each facility with wave protection becomes strategic, for example, in case of war. His is port of distress. When we placed navigation equipment in “Terijoki”, we agreed the whole diagram in the Main Institute of Navigation and Oceanography of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, and then information about navigation circumstances was passed to army. So we constructed facilities, and they took hem onto the books. In future they shall control, that all signs are in place and in serviceable condition. It turns out that we have made signs for ourselves, but government can use them, we can receive a letter, that trainings are held in this area, and it is necessary to ensure moorage for 25 powerboats. We shall obey.
It is clear, that the state can’t sponsor capital works for construction of yacht port. Certainly it is difficult to wait for government investments, when have such problems with retired persons, orphan and unmarried mothers. But it seems to me that any serious region located near water shall have at least one guest marine to take in tourists from water, which number will grow in future. In fact they spent most of money in the city for visiting sights, going to restaurants and shops. Large moorage for 200 places is not required, but at least one equipped quay shall be with normal prices and modicum of comfort.
Nowadays in St. Petersburg only two moorages are provided for foreign yacht tourists in Central and Krestovsky Yacht Clubs (Central one and in Krestovsky island). In Central moorage there are problems with quality of water closets, and in Krestovsky island club “ХХХХ” works, which interferes sleeping for guests arriving on yachts. This shall not be so. In Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm there is a city guest marine, where there are normal prices and minimum supported infrastructure (electricity, water, shower and water closet), where people can moor, leave boat in order to go for a walk in the city and sleep on their board in peace and safety. Everything is alright with security.
It seems to me that in Russia people have not yet learnt to perceive yacht tourism as inrush of tourists.
In the whole world traveller selects this type of transport, because it is cheap. You live on yacht and travel by it. You have bet kitchen and water closet. That is why most part of Finnish family tourists navigate, you invest money for yacht purchasing just once, and then you get rest, sleeping accommodation and transport. Certainly, poweryacht means prestige, high operating costs and other form of rest.
According to specified digits this trend is developed much faster.
It is so in Russia, number of power pleasure boats is over 80 % of general volume. In Finland 60 % are sail boats and 40 % are motor boats.
Maybe it is because our fellow citizens prefer to pay money and then go at once. The sails require preliminary preparation.
Certainly this is character. But Russian people have already evaluated classical yachts.
And have cities of the Golden Ring of Russia located near waterways for example taken interests in relation to guest marines? Have official requests been received?
As far as I know, there were no such cases. Entrepreneurs were interested, but city executive board has never taken initiative. There was project at European financing, which was called “From Saami to Onega” and in which Leningrad Region and border area of Finland took part. Not so much was managed to do, financing didn’t assume development of infrastructure. According to the results reference book was issued, the site was organized, panoramic photographs of yacht ports were taken, and phone number of places, where people can stay, eat, order fuel and see sights, were collected. For foreigners there is nothing in the Internet, because everything in Russian. Circulation of this reference book was 500 copies. What are 500 copies for development of yacht tourism?
Additionally preliminary researches in relation the fact, where is reasonable to organize marines, have been made, standard business plan allowing approximate counting of cost for organization of such facilities has been developed changing parameters for actual situation and considering, whether it is perspective, paid off, and if there is any sense. City administration informed: “Thank you, we have understood, for what this is required, it is interesting. We will look for investors”. And then they went away.
As the next day after inland waterway opening there was no inrush of tourists, nobody works. Until the demand occurs, there will not be supply.
Any transport is inactive. It is necessary to create minimum supply in order to provoke interest for the customer.
It means, that it is necessary to initiate occurrence of target program for marine development.
Are there other forms of support for this trend by the government except for Federal Target Program?
I only know, that there is branch development plan for facilities of small boats in Saint Petersburg, such concept exists in Leningrad Region, in Moscow there are also such programs. In most cases they don’t suppose government financing. It can be creation of favourable conditions, simplification of registration, but nit investments. Maybe it is right. This is not state security or education for the younger generation, this is commercial branch.
But this provides the possibilities for recreation and cultural leisure.
Cultural leisure provides museums and supported historical sites. And infrastructure of yacht ports and clubs if a commercial trend.
On the other hand, we provide employment opportunities. Appearance of great number of marines and quays has ensured evident demand for specialists, for technicians being involved directly into vessel servicing, knowing features of small boats, possibilities of repair and rehabilitation, rules of mooring and servicing, refueling station operation and general technical questions. Besides, specialists for marine management are required for work with the customers, documents and development of club system. The last subject is uncovered sphere in Russia. FZrom the point of view of management there are no proper clubs. All moorages are called yacht clubs, but it doesn’t mean, that association of like-minded persons gathers there.
In truth there are little clubs being capable to combine people.
Horse Derby club located in Enkelo, Golf Club in Dunes, Taleon club can be remembered though the latter one is a hotel of club type. There is an Association of Club Management, which tries to implement these philosophy facilities of Terijoki type. Club life is popular abroad especially in America and England. If work is performed in this direction, club activity can be serious commercial support for development of yacht infrastructure at all.
And what is proper yacht club? If it is remembered that navigation proceeds within half year in our country.
The discussion can be about marine, particularly infrastructure, its creation and operation, and the discussion can be about club (association of like-minded persons). The second component is very insignificant. Positive example is port “Hercules” in Lahti. Sport club “Sail Boat” is located there, where on the constant basis education of grownups, children, vessel hiring, regatta, competitions and thematic holidays are organized. In my opinion, in St. Petersburg this is a single location and association of people being similar to classical yacht club.
There are different shipowners. Sailboats have many combined moments in particular trainings, regatta, competitions, master classes. Owners of power yachts are mostly dissociated and other variants shall be created for them specifically family parties, concerts and festivals.
Modern people need in like-minded persons, understanding and communication. People are ready to pay for such possibility. I consider, that in Russia organization of proper and well-thought-out yacht clubs can provide serious stimulus for development of infrastructure, this kind of sport and tourism in general, return life in our rivers and lakes.
Interviewed by Abramova Anna
Recently foreign tourists have been permitted for coming into inland waterways. I want to believe, that somebody visit us.
