[?]Uva Greets

Oviet Ship

HHE Soviet scientific ship Vitiaz L visited Fiji in December, mak ing some kind of history as the rst Soviet ship to do so.

The ship visited Rabaul, New ruinea, last year.

The Vitiaz, a ship built especially Dr ocean study and owned by the nstitute of Oceanology at Moscpw, ; a floating scientific institution ontaining 12 laboratories in which 0 scientists work. It is Russia s ontribution to the International Geophysical Year, and is claimed to le the largest survey ship of its :md in the world.

The captain of the ship, Captain sirgeer, has been in command of he ship on many occasions.

Of the 75 scientists, 15 are vomen. One of the most prominent s Miss Filatova, a Doctor of Science, md head of the Bentos laboratory :or the study of marine life.

They are studying geology of the seabed, chemistry of seawater, jiology of the sea from bacteria to fish, and physics of oceanology, among other things.

During the ship’s five-day stay in Suva, members of the expedition visited the coral reefs, played against local sports teams and shopped.

Almost every member of the ship’s company carried a camera.

At left Lady Garvey, wife of the Governor Fiji, Sir Ronald Garvey, looks apprehensive ile Sir Ronald looks thoughtful at some ng Russian scientist Professor Beniamin gorov has to say to them about the Thing the Bottle. The occasion was the un icial visit of Sir Ronald and Lady Garvey the Russian survey ship "Vitiaz when visited Suva in December.

At right, Captain Sirgeer of "Vitiaz", and ofessor Bogorov speaking with members of e Fiji Legislative Council. (Left to right) tu K. Mara, Caotain Sirgeer, Professor gorov, Ratu Penaia Ganilau, D. 5.0., Ratu ward Cakobau, 0.8. E., M.C., and Dr Sahu an—the latter being an Indian member ot e Council.

For photograph of the ship, see page 117.

Fiji PRO Photos.