On 12-17 January, the HSR marked a rather unusual event. Captain of the 1st rank Victor Vladimirovich Starozhitsky, member of the HSR, reached the age of 90 years. Victor Starozhitsky successfully graduated from the Hydrographic Faculty of the Frunze Naval School in the summer of 1941. During the Second World War, he, along with other hydrographers, was sent to the Karelian Front. He fought in the field artillery at the Karelian Front until 1944. At this time, the war was nearing its end and, as ordered by the supreme commander in chief Joseph Stalin, experts started to return to serve in their specialties. Therefore, Starozhitsky was appointed to the hydrographic department of the Baltic fleet to conduct hydrographic tasks.

Victor Starozhitsky served as an officer-hydrographer until 1961. He then left the naval service, but remained working as a scientific member of staff in the State Research Navigation and Hydrographic Institute (SRNHI). He has been working there ever since. Despite his age, he is still very active and alert, showing interest in all aspects of life and maintaining a good memory. The latter he has illustrated many times in his articles and verbal reminiscences.

On 12 January, SRNHI employees warmly congratulated him on the occasion of his 90th birthday. Five days later, on 17 January, some HSR members celebrated Starozhitsky's birthday together with numerous relatives. Here, he was unofficially announced doyen.

At the HSR Council meeting on 21 January, the official status of doyen was discussed. However, the Council did not reach a consensus on this issue.