On 15 February, the project “Development of the waterways network and tourism business in the Ida-Viru region” hosted a study trip “Study and networking day on the development of waterways, historical heritage and business ideas in Ida-Viru”, which aimed to strengthen cooperation between the region’s ports, maritime rescue services, yacht clubs and businesses, and to develop a common understanding of the role of waterways in promoting security, tourism and regional business.
Port of Toila as a community hub
The focus of the learning and networking day was the Port of Toila and the Toila Volunteer Lifeguard. Veiko Simm, Toila Harbour Master and representative of Toila Maritime Rescue, introduced the multifunctional maritime rescue building completed last year, the daily operations of the harbour and its development.
Discussions stressed that today’s small harbour is not just a berth, but a multi-level community centre. It brings together young people and the next generation, yachting and cultural events, coastal industries, business, maritime tourism and local identity and maritime culture. The port was also considered in the context of public space, environmental stewardship, regional development and security and safety.
“For me, the greatest value of the day was the understanding of the importance of mutual information exchange, trust and cooperation between ports. Cooperation between Toila and Narva-Jõesuu is not just a theory, but a practical necessity that benefits both – and the whole of Ida-Viru County more broadly,” said Arvo Juhkov, Development Manager of Narva-Jõesuu Port SA. “It is this combination of community, security and business that will create a strong and sustainable waterway network.”
Veiko Simm stressed the role of the community at the meeting: “The port does not develop in isolation – it develops with people. It does not develop by itself: the port develops with the community.”
The completion of the new lifeboat building will certainly improve the speed of response and increase the security of the waterways, while strengthening the role of volunteer lifeboats in the regional safety network.
Expanding the network of friends and collaborators
An important part of the day focused on the cooperation between the ports of Toila and Narva-Jõesuu and the regular exchange of information. A comprehensive waterway network is not built through individual investments, but through trust and practical cooperation between partners.
That is why members of Narva-Jõesuu Yachting Club also took part in the study trip, where they got acquainted with the mooring, storage and maintenance conditions in Toila harbour. They discussed the possibilities for cooperation between the yacht clubs in developing tourism, promoting sailing and children’s sailing school activities. As a result of the meeting, mutual willingness to cooperate was confirmed and open communication between the ports and the clubs was stressed.
Such meetings create the basis for future joint projects and strengthen partnerships across the northern coast of Ida-Viru County.
Historical context: the sea as a space for entrepreneurship
The day also included a visit to the Valaste Waterfall on the Ontika coast and the Tulivee Museum, where the role of the Estonian coast in the transport of spirits during the Finnish Prohibition Act (1919-1932) was discussed. During this period, Estonia’s northern coast became an important starting point for smuggling across the Gulf of Finland, and millions of litres of alcohol were transported by sea in the 1920s.
A historical perspective confirms that the sea has always been a space of movement, entrepreneurship and cooperation in Ida-Viru County. Today’s development of waterways creates a new, legitimate and sustainable future for this heritage.
Results of the study trip
The learning and networking day provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the impact of waterway development on security, tourism and regional business and contributed to:
- raising awareness of the role of the Port of Toila and the role of maritime rescue in the development of waterways;
- strengthening cooperation between project partners and network members;
- the development of a common understanding of the development potential of waterways and tourism in Ida-Viru County;
- providing input for the design of further soft actions and cooperation projects.
Narva-Jõesuu City Government and Narva-Jõesuu Port SA would like to thank the Toila Port team, Veiko Simm, the Museum of Firewater and all the participants for a meaningful and forward-looking day.
The study trip was part of the project “Development of the waterways network and tourism business in the Ida-Viru region” and supported the formation of a business network and the dissemination of good practices. The project is funded by the European Union Cohesion Policy funds through the measure “Attractive regional business and living environment” and the support measure for the implementation of regional development strategies.
Arvo Juhkov
Narva-Jõesuu Port SA
Development Manager
arvo.juhkov@narva-joesuu.ee
