SHIP: The main corridor in front of you is the ship’s artery, connecting the ship’s spaces. From here you can access the living quarter, cabins, washrooms, the sonar room and the provisioning room, even the crew’s quarters on the lower decks. In the corridor, there is a wooden cabinet – the arsenal – where machine-guns, pistols, flares and cartridges are stored. Next to it, is the firefighters’ equipment: breathing air cylinders, fire extinguishers and fireproof suits. When the ship enters the vastness of the sea, it is here, in the corridor, that the crew is set to watch on duty, prepare for the challenge.

SHIP: To the right, there is a quarter for non-commissioned officers, an oasis of calm where senior sergeants and non-commissioned officers can escape the routine of the ship for a short time, have a cup of coffee and relax. During the day, according to the ship’s schedule, crew members gather here for short breaks. But when the mine-hunting starts, this room becomes a safe haven – the crew stay here for safety reasons, staying above the waterline and prepared for any unexpected course of events.

SHIP: Next to the non-commissioned officers’ mess room, is the officers’ mess room, where the spirit of the ship pervaded. Officers used to gather here for recreation, but one rule was unbreakable – nobody dared to sit on the ship commander’s seat. Officers, warrant officers, other sailors – all had their own space, but the commander’s seat was special. If anyone forgot this unwritten rule and dared to sit down, they would not only blush in shame, but they would also face punishment devised by the crew. The ship commander’s seat was a reminder to all of us of the respect and order on board.

SHIP: The ship hides inside much more than just mechanics – every corner of her has its own special purpose. Take the ABC room, for instance. On a daily basis, it is simply a place for officers’ hygiene, but in the event of a threat, it becomes a filter through which every crew member passes when returning to the ship after coming into contact with a nuclear, biological or chemical weapon. First, individualised cleaning and decontamination with powder, then a shower. Only then the soldier may return to the safe haven of the ship.

COMMANDER OF THE SHIP: Each commander of the ship had his own single cabin, and when I, Rimantas Preimantas, was serving on “Sūduvis” from 2005 to 2014, my cabin’s door was always open. Whether a soldier wanted to talk about personal concerns or had service matters to deal with, the door was never closed. After all, a commander needs not only to lead, but also to hear.
The burden of being in command of the ship is heavy because you are responsible for everything: the crew, the safety of the ship, the armaments. A single commander is unable to control everything, there are officers around, but the final decision falls on my shoulders.
My story began far from the sea. I was born in Baisogala, Radviliškis District, a small town, about 200 kilometres from the sea. Earlier, I have only seen the sea during short summers, once a year. But everything changed at school, in the last, 12th, form, when my father noticed an advertisement in a newspaper inviting young people to apply to the German Naval Academy. I was learning the German language at school, so I decided to give it a try. The sea seemed a world away, but, as they say, one’s appetite increases while eating. I entered, and the life became inseparable from waves and winds.
Studying in Germany was not easy. I failed at my first language exam and was sent back. But I did my best and came back improved. The second time, I passed the exam with distinction and graduated from the Naval Academy in Germany as one of the best foreign students and was awarded for my achievements. Interestingly, it was in Germany that I first stepped on board the ship “Sūduvis”. I was still a cadet then, a young student, but soon this ship became my service home. When I graduated, “Sūduvis” was waiting for me like an old friend. And so my voyage at sea began, and now I cannot imagine my life without it.

SHIP: Let’s ascend to the upper deck.