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7 January, 2020

Aurora Expeditions renews commitment to responsible cruising with new ship

Aurora Expeditions will name its second purpose-built expedition ship after the acclaimed marine biologist and oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.

The new ship will honour Earle as an accomplished marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer; the first woman to become chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and named by Time magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998.

The vessel pays tribute to Earle’s longstanding conservation efforts for marine protected areas and ocean wildlife.

Built to world-class polar standards, Sylvia Earle will launch in October 2021 in Ushuaia, Argentina.

In the spirit of exploration, and as part of its commitment to responsible travel, Aurora Expeditions will continue to name its new ships after explorers who are passionate about their environmental commitment and who share the company’s vision for the future.

Working in parallel with Greg Mortimer, the esteemed Australian mountaineer and founder of Aurora Expeditions, Earle will be channelling her marine conservation ethos into a fully immersive onboard guest experience, not only in the polar regions, but in other destinations as the ship sails from south to north and vice versa.

Activities will play a major part in the passenger experience, with expert-led kayak expeditions, polar ski touring, climbing, snowshoeing, hiking, and exploration by Zodiac placing guests at the heart of the destinations in which they are sailing.

In addition to highly-qualified expedition guides, there are plans for marine researchers, scientists and conservationists to join the expedition team on board the Sylvia Earle.

“Ninety-seven per cent of Earth’s water is ocean,” Earle said. “It is our life support system and we need to learn everything we can about it.

“I see great synergy in working closely with a company that shares my vision for the future and which is, from the top down, passionate about the marine environment.

“Through travelling with Aurora Expeditions on the Sylvia Earle, I feel it is an incredible opportunity for people to learn about these marine habitats in situ and, as a result, become ambassadors for protecting them.”

Aurora Expeditions managing director Robert Halfpenny said: “We are proud to be working with Sylvia on plans for the new ship.

“Our ships are designed primarily to connect people with the environment, and everything Sylvia does encapsulates what lies at the core of Aurora Expeditions own beliefs and practices.”

“In keeping with Sylvia’s own vision and achievements, the Sylvia Earle will have a large focus on marine education and conservation.”

The 126-passenger ship will be the second in the fleet to sail with the patented Ulstein X-BOW®, whose inverted bow design, in combination with Rolls Royce dynamic stabilisers provides more stability and comfort on ocean crossings, as well as reduce fuel consumption.

The inverted Ulstein X-BOW® also offers an enhanced viewing experience by bringing passengers much closer to the immediate environment than that which can be achieved on ships with a traditional, bulbous-shaped bow. Aurora Expeditions Greg Mortimer was the first passenger ship to incorporate this innovative marine technology.

The second ship of this design will break ground yet again, with the Ulstein X-BOW® on the Sylvia Earle to feature a unique two-level glass atrium lounge in the bow, offering better views to the front to the ship.

In polar regions, this means passengers will be able to appreciate the majesty of an iceberg immediately as it appears on the horizon.

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aurora expeditions Sylvia Earle