Statsraad Lehmkuhl Had to Cancel Northwest Passage Voyage
Statsraad Lehmkuhl in the Davis Strait between Greenland and the Canadian island of Baffin a few days ago, originally heading towards the Northwest Passage for a voyage planned for over two and a half years. (Photo: André Marton Pedersen/Statsraad Lehmkuhl)
The Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl will not carry out the planned voyage through the Northwest Passage due to demanding ice conditions. "We never compromise on safety, particularly in Arctic waters," says the expedition leader.
On Tuesday, Statsraad Lehmkuhl left Nuuk, Greenland, and set sail for the Northwest Passage.
On Saturday, it was announced that the voyage had to be canceled due to challenging icy waters. Ice charts for large parts of the route have looked promising, but recent data shows that upcoming ice conditions could possibly exceed what the sailing ship is certified for.
This particularly applies to the Western part of the Canadian Arctic, in which the ice melting has started later than usual, and there is significant uncertainty about developments in the coming weeks.
"We never compromise on security, particularly in Arctic waters," says Haakon Vatle, CEO of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation and leader of the One Ocean Expedition.
"Of course, many are disappointed, but nature has the final say. We have been prepared for the possibility of having to change the route, and have quickly prepared alternative solutions", he adds.
Implications
The now-cancelled voyage through the Northwest Passage was part of the One Ocean Expedition – a 12-month expedition aboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl across three continents.
The expedition is aimed at raising awareness and sharing knowledge about the crucial importance of the ocean for a sustainable future on a global scale.
In consultation with UiT, the tall ship has set course southward to meet as many of its other expedition commitments as possible, such as along the west coast of the USA and Canada. Its new route is Nuuk – St. John's – Bermuda – the Panama Canal – Los Angeles – Vancouver.
This shift will naturally have implications for the planned Arctic Future Pathfinders course and research voyage, and UiT will design a plan for its students and employees going forward, says Jørgen Berge, Pro-rector for Research and Development at UiT.
"Exactly how the course will be impacted is something we will work on over the coming days and weeks. We will always prioritize the students' safety and learning, and we will, therefore, ensure that they can complete the ongoing course under the new prevailing conditions. The situation demonstrates how unpredictable the Arctic can be, and nature always has the final word," states Berge.
