Open letter to Fine Gael TD Barry Ward

To: Mr. Barry Ward, TD
Subject: Clarification Regarding the Frigate Shtandart

Dear Mr. Ward,

We are writing in response to your recent comments regarding the frigate Shtandart, as reported in the media, and your call for its removal from Irish waters. While we understand and share your concerns about the importance of upholding EU sanctions, we respectfully urge you to take a moment to examine the facts surrounding Shtandart before drawing conclusions or making public statements that may not fully reflect the situation.

Shtandart is a non-commercial, international educational project and a historical replica of a 1703 frigate, constructed in the 1990s by volunteers in Saint Petersburg. The ship is crewed by a multinational team of volunteers and young people from across Europe and beyond. For over two decades, Shtandart has been a participant in cultural exchanges, maritime festivals, and Tall Ships Races, including in Ireland, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.

Neither the captain no the crew has ever supported war or aggression in any form. The Shtandart is an independent, international initiative dedicated solely to education, cultural exchange, and maritime heritage. Its operations are entirely separate from any government policies or political agendas.

We would like to clarify the following points:

Flag Status: The ship reflagged to the Cook Islands in June 2024 not as a means to bypass sanctions, but to continue its longstanding educational and cultural mission under a neutral flag, as required by regulations. This step was taken in consultation with maritime authorities to ensure full compliance with EU legislation.
Sanctions Compliance: Contrary to some reports, the Shtandart is not subject to the port ban as per the European Commission’s clarification regarding educational and non-commercial vessels. The ship is privately owned and not associated with any state institution or government.

French Port Access: It is true that the ship was not accepted into a few French ports earlier this year, but it has since entered others, following thorough reviews by local authorities.

As someone who has devoted decades to promoting youth development, maritime heritage, and peaceful cultural exchange through this ship, I find it deeply distressing to see the Shtandart unfairly associated with political agendas or viewed as a vessel of suspicion.

We sincerely hope you will consider engaging in direct communication with the project before making further public declarations. Transparency, dialogue, and accuracy are critical—especially when we speak on behalf of the public.

We would be pleased to provide you with official documentation confirming our flag registration, port entry records, and program mission, and would warmly welcome your visit to the vessel while she is in Irish waters to see her purpose and spirit firsthand.

Thank you for your attention, and we remain at your disposal for any further information.

Respectfully,
Vladimir Martus
Captain, Shtandart
President, Martus TV GmbH
📞 +49 151 67031703
📧 vm@shtandart.eu
🌐 www.shtandart.eu