Statsraad Lehmkuhl Has Set Course for the Northwest Passage
With tens of students and researchers aboard, the Norwegian sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl has now embarked on the ocean route between Europe and Asia north of the North American continent. (Archive photo: Bruno Girin, CC BY-SA 2.0)
On Tuesday night, the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl set sail from Nuuk, Greenland, embarking on a historical education and research voyage through the Northwest Passage. Aboard are students and researchers from across the world.
"We are 115 excited souls aboard this cruise," reported the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation from the tall ship after departing Nuuk.
UiT – the Arctic University of Norway has chartered the vessel for the voyage through the Northwest Passage for the Arctic Future Pathfinders course, which is a part of the One Ocean expedition.
The course is linked to the Norwegian research project Arctic Ocean 2050 and the upcoming International Polar Year 2032-33. The aim is to train students and young academics to become polar researchers.
The voyage will take place over the course of two months, with scheduled stops in Pond Inlet, Gjoa Haven and Cambridge Bay, before it concludes in Whittier, Alaska, on October 4th.
The scheduled sailing route through the Northwest Passage. (Illustration: One Ocean Expedition)
One Ocean Expedition
· One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026 is a 12-month-long voyage aboard the tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl – a floating ambassador for the UN Ocean Decade.
· 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.
· The ship will call at 27 ports on three continents, including the historical transit of the Northwest Passage.
· The Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen was the first to sail through the entire Northwest Passage in one ship (Gjøa) in 1903-06. Now, Statsraad Lehmkuhl is set to become one of the largest tall ships ever to attempt the same route.
Demanding and important
Climate change and increasing temperatures have opened up the Northwest Passage for summer sailing – a route previously blocked by ice.
At the same time, drift ice and unpredictable conditions may pose challenges during the voyage.
"This is without a doubt the most demanding voyage we have ever planned. We have spent significant resources over several years to prepare both the ship and the crew, and to meet the formal requirements for polar waters," says Haakon Vatle, CEO of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation and leader of the One Ocean Expedition.
One of Canada's most experienced ice pilots, Stephan Guy, is also aboard. He has participated in the planning and will be part of the entire journey.
Vatle believes the voyage will be one of the most important in the history of the ship, which was launched in 1914.
"The participants will build an international network which undoubtedly will contribute to positive developments in the Arctic. These are the researchers and decision-makers of the future, and for UiT, this voyage is a long-term investment ahead of the International Polar Year in 2032-33," he points out.
Haakon Vatle, CEO of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl Foundation and leader of the One Ocean Expedition. (Photo: Hanna Thevik)
Unique construct
Vatle also highlights that the course and the voyage will provide insights into Indigenous knowledge about the ocean and nature in the region.
"Several representatives from Inuit communities are participating in the voyage, and UiT also includes Sámi representation. This provides unique insights which will be valuable for everyone aboard," says Vatle.
During the voyage, the students will be trained in traditional seamanship and the operation of the ship, combined with academic learning and practical fieldwork.
In Norway, this course is unique, says Melania Borit, Professor at UiT and Course Coordinator.
"Online courses are increasing in number and there is also a lot of disinformation in circulation. In such a context, this course is a breath of fresh air in many ways. The students will learn about the places they visit and the people who live there, which they will also meet. Together, they will attempt to envision a sustainable future for the Arctic, and discuss opportunities and challenges and how the Arctic can develop well for all who live here," Borit states on the university's website.
Extensive research program
Research in many fields will also be conducted during the voyage. Among other things, the researchers will study ice conditions, biodiversity, and how pollution impacts the Arctic ecosystems.
Another example is a research study that will deal with how extreme environments impact human health, writes UiT.
"This is a perfect setting to study the effects of shift work and environmental stress. Aboard the ship, we will have control over many factors which elsewhere would be difficult to isolate, such as diet, sleep, and exposure to various bacteria and viruses," says Jacob Odeberg, Professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine at UiT.
Throughout the voyage, he will collect data on volunteer participants through blood tests and questionnaires. A control group in Tromsø, Northern Norway, will undergo the same examinations.
Odeberg hopes the study can provide new insights that can be useful in designing routines and preventative measures in challenging work environments, such as within the offshore industry, shipping, and military operations.
"This project could reap valuable knowledge on how to improve the health and well-being of people who work under demanding conditions. It is also a unique opportunity to contribute to stress research on a global level," he points out.
