PORT ANGELES — Against a backdrop of signs for businesses along busy U.S. Highway 101 in Port Angeles, a group of off-duty Russian sailors happily posed for a photographer on Monday.
Like many of their fellow shipmates, they were going shopping at stores throughout Port Angeles.
One group of sailors hiked for four miles to go to the local Wal-Mart, then walked back another four miles to their ship with bags of clothes, cameras and electronic games.
The sailors are from the the Vorovskiy, a Russian Border Guard vessel taking part in the U.S. Coast Guard-sponsored Pacific Unity 2009 exercises in Washington waters.
The Vorovskiy arrived at Port Angeles on Sunday for the exercises, which run through Thursday.
The U.S. Coast Guard said its stay in Port Angeles is the first visit by such a vessel to the Lower 48.
The exercises involves simulated search and rescue, navigation and security operations, “a series of drills designed to test communications and enhance the interoperability of the crews,” said the Coast Guard.
Also participating are the U.S. Coast Guard cutters Henry Blake and Midgett, Canadian Coast Guard cutter Provo Wallis, Canadian hovercraft Siyay and the Japanese Coast Guard cutter Yashima.
China and South Korea are participating as observers.
The participating nations are members of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, which was formed in 2000 to improve cooperation against common threats on the high seas.
“Our countries each recognize that the Pacific Ocean is a big backyard that none of us can keep watch on alone,” said Coast Guard Capt. Greg Sundgaard.
“We need each other to help combat the types of common threats we face on the high seas.”
In addition to shopping, off-duty sailors from all the ships were hosted Monday afternoon at a picnic in Port Angeles’ Lincoln Park.
The Vorovskiy and the other ships are scheduled to travel to Seattle on Wednesday.
