Embark | Disembark | Vessel | Duration | Voyage No |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sat 21-09-2024, 13:00Upernavik, Greenland | Mon 30-09-2024, 13:00Narsarsuaq, Greenland | Linden | 9 Nights | OW210924 |
9 nights aboard Arctic expert Ocean Warrior’s Expedition ship Linden, sailing down the coast of Greenland from the picturesque fishing town of Upernavik, via spectacular Disko Bay, to the settlement of Narsarsuaq, nestled in a maze of fjords and glaciers. This expedition will be led by renowned polar explorer Jim McNeill. Together with the other 81 voyages of the Ocean Warrior Project, the focus will be on gathering critical scientific evidence on the changing health of our planet.
Please note: you can either self-fund your expedition, or aim to fundraise / secure sponsorship to cover your place. Should you wish to fundraise, the Ocean Warrior team will support you in this process. Either way, please complete the application form by following the ‘Next Steps’ button above. The Application Form does not require payment.
Spectacular and varied landscapes.
See the awe inspiring icebergs of Disko Bay.
Observe the Ilulissat Icefjord, one of the world’s most active glaciers.
Chance to bask in the Aurora Borealis
Form a tight-knit team with the professional sailing crew, scientists, researches and content creators on board ship with you.
Learn the ropes aboard a stunning three-masted schooner.
Sail over 900 nautical miles, conducting citizen science en route.
Learn More about the Ocean Warrior ProjectVessel type / Rig | 3-Masted Schooner |
Guest Berths | 12 |
Beam | 8.8 m |
Draft | 3.1 m |
Overall Length | 49.5 m |
Year Built | 1993 |
You’ll join Ocean Warrior’s Expedition Ship Linden’ in Upernavik, a uniquely colourful fishing town nestled amongst islands, fjords and mountains. Before departure you’ll be fully familiarised with the ship, including undergoing safety training and drills, as well as settling in to life on board and getting to know the rest of the crew. You will also be given full details of the scientific work that will be undertaken on this leg, and how you will contribute towards it.
There are a lot of sea miles to cover during your 10 days on board, and so the itinerary will be necessarily dictated by the weather. The crew of Ocean Warrior’s Expedition Ship Linden will keep you updated with the latest forecasts and voyage plans.
Read more about the Ocean Warrior ProjectThe crew will comprise postdoctoral scientists and citizen scientists as well as professional crew.
We are yet to confirm the exact nature of the science but it will include the following:
This decade long mission will demonstrate that using a traditional sailing vessel equipped with state of the art autonomous scientific instrumentation can address key questions in polar ocean and climate research, including:
Air Sea Carbon Dioxide fluxes: What controls the spatial and temporal variability of oceanic CO2 uptake?
Phytoplankton community dynamics: What determines the distribution patterns of plankton? How and why do plankton communities change in response to short- and long-term, natural and anthropogenic perturbations?
Validation of ocean colour satellites: Are phytoplankton biomass and/or community structure changing at global, basin and regional scales?
Changes in ocean chemistry and physical structure: At what rate is climate change impacting ocean structure (e.g., heat content and stratification) and ocean chemistry (e.g., pH, O2), and what functional changes is this bringing about?
Seabird and sea mammal biodiversity. (AI camera / spotters)
Invasive species – environmental DNA
Meteorology
Hydrography
FAIR SCIENCE
In addition, Ocean Warrior will deliver an open access and FAIR data management architecture that establishes a standards-based data pipeline covering collection, storage, quality control, and delivery to users.
Our goal is to equip a traditional sailing vessel with science, marine autonomy, citizen science and outreach to deliver net zero oceanography in a near real time capacity.
Ocean Warrior Project Fact Sheet.
Setting sail, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. It’s an excellent time of year for bird-watching, as many species begin their southerly migration. You could also see humpback and minke whales, as well as seals and polar bears.
Your course takes you down the coast of Greenland, past Disko Bay with its massive icebergs and Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, to the southerly tip of the country. As Autumn is now drawing in and the days are getting shorter, be prepared for cold conditions, especially on night watches. The trade off for the shorter days is the chance to see the vivid colours of the Aurora Borealis which, viewed from the deck of a ship quietly slipping through the darkness, is breathtaking.
Your final destination is the small settlement of Narsarsuaq, surrounded by natural splendour. The nearby Narsarsuaq Glacier and Tunulliarkfik Fjord ofter spectacular views, and in late September the colours will be vibrantly autumnal.
You’ll be passage-making down the coast of Greenland, and the weather can be unpredictable. September is the start of the Arctic Autumn, and temperatures, while at -1°C to 10°C, can feel much colder with the wind. Wind speeds and direction fluctuate at this time of year, and the sea state can become quite choppy. You’ll be navigating through potentially icy waters in sometimes dense fog. Expect a real mix of conditions. This is part of the Ocean Warrior’s Expedition!
The Ocean Warrior voyages are real expeditions, not adventure holidays. These trips will be fascinating, educational and inspiring but something they won’t be is relaxing! You’ll be learning to sail the ship with the professional crew, forming part of a navigational watch, joining in with data collection and citizen science projects and generally being a core member of the team during your time on board.
On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best and safest sailing routes for the forecast. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described above, but when it comes to sailing, you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description provided is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or prior experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage. As such, the scheduled joining ports, routes, activities and/or destinations may be altered. Due to the complexities of weather systems, this may be at very short notice.
Read the Ocean Warrior Expedition FAQsIn an archipelago filled with small islands, fjords and mountains, the small, colourful fishing town of Upernavik is nestled on a steep hillside. If you have time, try and secure a bed at the Upernavik Guesthouse to give yourself the chance to explore. Here is a brief guide to some of the highlights of Upernavik:
1. Upernavik Museum: A fascinating open-air museum which offers insight into the history of Greenland and the Inuit.
2. Upernavik Art Museum: Holding the world’s most northern collection of Greenlandic art, the museum is a window into local culture and history.
3. Northern Lights: If conditions are right, Upernavik is a spectacular place to view the Aurora Borealis. You may have seen it during your voyage, but with helming, keeping lookout and helping with the running of the ship, you may not have had time to just sit back and bask in it.
Remember to dress warmly and bring appropriate outdoor gear, as the weather in Greenland can be cold and unpredictable.
Recommendation for flights to remote or cold climate destinations we recommend purchasing flexible flights that offer full refunds. See advice on Flexible flights here.
All flights to and from Upernavik require a change at either Nuuk or Illulissat via Air Greenland. You may then also require a second domestic flight to Kangerlussuaq, the only airport in Greenland with flights to Europe.
Please note that flight schedules and routes can change, so it is essential to check with airlines or travel agencies for the most up-to-date information before planning your journey to Nuuk.
Narsarsuaq is a small settlement in the Kujalleq municipality of southern Greenland, set in a ruggedly beautiful landscape. If you can, spend a day or two here before or after your voyage and do some hiking. There are many trails from the town leading through stunning valleys and offering views over the Tunulliarfik Fjord and Narsarsuaq Glacier.
There are a couple of accommodation options in the town, including the Guesthouse Narsarsuaq, a cheap and cheerful option which will likely be full of fellow travellers.
Remember to dress warmly and bring appropriate outdoor gear, as the weather in Greenland can be cold and unpredictable.
Recommendation for flights to remote or cold climate destinations we recommend purchasing flexible flights that offer full refunds. See advice on Flexible flights here.
1. UK and Europe: You will typically need to fly from Denmark to Kangerlussuaq with Air Greenland, and then on to Narsarsuaq. Copenhagen has good air connections to the UK and the rest of Europe. Another option is to get a flight from Keflavik, Iceland via Nuuk.
3. USA: From the USA, you may need to fly to Iceland first, then join an Air Greenland flight to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. From here you can get a domestic connection to Narsarsuaq.
Please note that flight schedules and routes can change, so it is essential to check with airlines or travel agencies for the most up-to-date information before planning your journey to Nuuk.
Ocean Warrior branded kit, including Henri Lloyd sailing waterproofs, is available to participants with a 20% discount through Global Warrior Expedition Basecamp. Contact them to discuss what you need. We'd highly recommend talking to Basecamp to make sure you've got everything to keep you safe, warm and dry during your time on board.
N.B. Please don't use a rigid suitcase or a bag with a rigid frame. Soft bags are much easier to fold up and stow. Also don't bring any expensive jewellery or other valuables, unless you have specific insurance to cover it.
The Oceans have been my life since I was a teenager. I love the awesome beauty, the serenity, the frenetic chaos and the overwhelming power. To think that we as humans have taken advantage of and abused our oceans to the point of serious damage is horrifying. Which is why I was honoured when Jim and Sam asked me to be Patron of their critically important project.
Over the next 11 years, Ocean Warrior will train ordinary people from all walks of life and many nations to benchmark, measure and monitor - 'ground-truth' - exactly what is happening for our partner scientific organisations.
What's more, they will do this by the power of the wind, teaching the participants to sail in the process. This by anyone's standards is an extraordinary endeavour and I'm delighted to help them in any way I can.
Ocean Warrior Patron: Tracy Edwards MBE
During my first conversation with Jim, I was impressed by his quiet confidence and solid enthusiasm. Since then I have come to learn the determination, dexterity, skills and knowledge of Jim and the crew behind the project, and am delighted to be associated with them. Global Warrior has all the potential of a truly great British first. Slightly mad and eccentric in conception, thorough and precise in planning and likely to prove ingenious and resolved in execution.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes
The terrain is exceptionally hostile and dangerous; but I am confident that Jim and his team will be successful... in conducting an environmentally vital transect of the Arctic Ocean. For as Ernest Shackleton said: "difficulties are just things to overcome".
Alexandra Shackleton
Learning to travel the hard way is not only the best way, but it's also the most memorable. I greatly admire all of you for having a go: believe me you won't forget the experience.
Michael Palin
Ocean Warrior Project Fact SheetWe all think that the world has been 'discovered' and there are few areas that mankind has not reached. This is not so, and projects like this serve to explore these extremes and push back the boundaries of our knowledge, as well as the limits of those who take part.
Sir Chris Bonington
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