Cadets of St. Petersburg choose SUR

Cadets of St. Petersburg's maritime academies extensively join the ranks of the Seafarers' Union of Russia (SUR). Young specialists view the union membership as an opportunity to protect their labor rights and support the professional community. 

This week, a cadet of Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping Anastasia Solopova joined the SUR Primary Organization of St. Petersburg. 

Anastasia is a third-year student at Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping. Since childhood, she dreamed of the sky: she attended a flying club and jumped with a parachute. However, having failed to enter the flight school due to the cancellation of recruitment for girls, she chose the sea and applied to the University of Maritime and Inland Shipping to become a polar captain. 

Encouraged by women-seafarers' examples, Anastasia successfully studies, has entered the Sovcomflot scholarship program, and underwent shipboard training on the tankers NS Lotus and SCF Baikal. While on board, she mastered navigation, steered the vessel, and fully realized the responsibility of the profession. 

Despite her parents' worries, Anastasia is confident in her choice. In her spare time, she is keen on aviation still and even flew an airplane. Her character and determination help her combine her studies, leadership in the women's company, and excellent results in complex academic subjects. 

When receiving her SUR membership card, Anastasia Solopova emphasized this is an important stage in her life. 

- It is important for me to feel involved in a common cause. After all, being a seafarer is a huge responsibility, harsh environments and difficult decisions. But when you know that you have reliable support behind you, it gives you strength, - she said. 

This year, Anastasia became the 65th young seafarer from St. Petersburg maritime academies to join the SUR. Earlier, 31 cadets of the College of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping and 32 students of Admiral Senyavin Maritime Technical Academy joined the ranks of the SUR Primary Organization of St. Petersburg.