Grandfather of the Presidential Navy
Vladimir Putin will have a parade boat
The St. Petersburg shipbuilding company Severnaya Verf will begin construction of a boat early next year on which Vladimir Putin will be able to take part in the naval parade to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. According to some reports, the shipyard may soon receive an order for a personal presidential boat.

The boat currently being designed at the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau is officially called a service and traveling boat and, according to bureau employees, it is intended for the command of the Leningrad naval base.
However, in informal conversations, bureau employees involved in the project say that the boat will be used only on the most solemn occasions - to transport top government officials. In any case, the parameters and finishing of the vessel are included in the project accordingly. The customer, the Navy's shipbuilding department, does not disclose the cost of the ship, however, according to experts familiar with the details of the project, the parade boat will cost the sailors $1.5-2 million.
Yesterday, Almaz handed over to the base command an instructional drawing - the first draft of the vessel's design. Its construction at Severnaya Verf is expected to begin on January 30, 2001, and end in 2002. At the base, all they are saying so far is that the boat will definitely be involved in the naval parade dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. If the president takes part in the celebrations, a boat will be provided to him as commander-in-chief to receive the parade.
However, given the fact that the current head of state does not yet have his own ceremonial ship, it can be assumed that the ship will receive presidential status immediately after launching. Moreover, there are rumors at Severnaya Verf about the possibility of receiving another presidential order - for the construction of a boat for the future naval residence of the head of the Russian state in Strelna (Petrodvortsovy district of St. Petersburg). According to shipyard workers, the order will be received if the president likes the first boat.

ALEXANDER Kommersant-MATROSOV, St. Petersburg

Newspaper "Kommersant" No. 209 dated 05.11.2000, page 7