Shtandart is a three-masted, fully rigged frigate created to exactly replicate the legendary original, which was built by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703 as the first man-o’-war of the Russian Baltic fleet.

The Shtandart will be berthed in Sutton Harbour, the historic harbour of Britain’s Ocean City, from 6-9 October 2016. During her stay, this historic working vessel will be open to visitors.

Charlotte Malcolm, Commercial Marketing Manager for Sutton Harbour Holdings plc, said:

‘We are thrilled to have secured a visit from Shtandart, known across the world as a sea-going replica of the legendary frigate built by Peter the Great 300 years ago. Tall ships always prove a popular attraction in Plymouth, attracting crowds of people to the city’s famous waterfront and bringing the historic harbour to life.

‘Last spring, we were proud to host visits from the three-masted barque Kaskelot and Westcountry trading ketch The Irene, both of which created enormous interest. We’re expecting a similar reaction this autumn when Shtandart sails into Sutton Harbour.’

The original Shtandart was designed and built in five months for the Russian Tsar Peter the Great at the beginning of the 18^th Century, launching in August 1703. The frigate was first captained by Peter the Great himself and was the flagship of the Russian Navy, defending St Petersburg during the war with Sweden and saw active service until 1719.

A full-sized wooden replica was launched in St Petersburg in 1999 following six years of work by a team of volunteers led by Vladimir Martus, the present Captain of Shtandart.

The team used traditional techniques as well as materials and tools used by the original builders. The ship was constructed with oak frames and larch planking fastened with hand-forged iron nails to carefully replicate the original frigate.

Richly decorated with extensive carvings at the stern, around the gunports and at the break of the poop deck, Shtandart features a prancing lion figurehad and the Royal standard of Peter the Great can be seen flying from the masthead.

She is 34.5 metres (113ft) long and 6.9 metres (23ft) wide with a draft of 3.3 metres (11ft) and mast height of 33 metres (108ft). The ship has proved to be a very seaworthy vessel, capable of making speeds of between 8-9 knots under sail.

In 1703, the crew numbered between 120 and 150 but today a modern crew comprises up to a maximum of 30 trainees and 10 officers.

Like Tsar Peter, who encouraged links with other countries, the mission of the frigate Shtandart is to be an ambassador and since 2000, she has travelled more than 100,000 nautical miles and visited more than 200 ports in 17 countries across Europe and Africa.

Shtandart regularly hosts receptions on board and is also available for excursions and team-building exercises. She is often used for filming but her primary work is as a youth training ship, providing sail training activities for young people from all over the world who come to experience working on board a traditional sailing ship.

Visitors to Britain’s Ocean City will be able to tour Shtandart when she berths in Sutton Harbour this October, and further details about opening times and prices will be announced later in the year.

Captain Martus has also founded the Cutty Sark 2Sail Foundation, a trans-national operated, UK based charity formed to promote a sustainable and responsible approach to marine transport and associated issues. Their first project is to design, build and then sail a replica of the world-famous clipper ship Cutty Sark.

Find out more about the Shtandart