Alexander Kuryakov, a blogger based in Crimea, reported today that a boat captain refused to allow Dmitry Ovsyannikov, Sevastopol's new governor, to board his ship at a celebration for Russia's Naval Forces Day. The captain apparently did not recognize Ovsyannikov, telling him, “Young man, I'm not admitting you. There are no more spaces and the boat is already overloaded. Where are you all going!”

Kuryakov says an admiral soon intervened and explained to the captain that the man he was speaking to had been named Sevastopol's new governor two days earlier. The captain reportedly answered that he'd missed the news because of rehearsals for the holiday parades. He then allowed the governor onto his boat, saying, “Well, if that's it, if this is the new governor, then come aboard. This isn't the first time my ship has had to manage being overloaded.”

Ovsyannikov, to his credit, wasn't embarrassed. He just smiled and boarded the ship, shaking the captain's hand.

Sandro Kiriak

On July 28, Vladimir Putin reshuffled several federal officials, including the governor of Sevastopol. Before coming to Crimea, Dmitry Ovsyannikov served as Russia's deputy minister of industry and trade.

Sevastopol's new governor is so beloved and well known that a boat captain turned him away, not knowing who he is