Feature 1 | CRUISESHIP TECHNOLOGY G.A.P. closes on Expedition safety
A 1970s ferry is set to become the latest ship converted for use as a luxury Polar exploration cruiseship. Owner G.A.P. Adventures, which owned the infamous Explorer, offered thoughts on operating safely and cleanly in the remote environment.
passengers to Antarctica - sank in the Bransfield Straight on 23 November 2007, aſter hitting ice. Although all 91 passengers, 54 crew and nine expedition staff were subsequently rescued, the episode brought the growing Antarctic exploration cruise market under massive mainstream media scrutiny. Now, the owner of Explorer, G.A.P.
T
Adventures, is set to take delivery of another ship - the 1972-built Ice Class 1B ferry Expedition, which is being converted for expedition operations in both the Antarctic and the Arctic at STX Europe’s Rauma yard, at a cost of US$15 million. Formerly the Viking Line ferry Alandsfarjan, G.A.P. bought the 6172tonne ship in mid-2008. With operations due to start in April, Te Naval Architect asked G.A.P. about the
TECHNICAL PARTICULARS Expedition
Built: ...........................Helsingor Skibsvaerft, Denmark 1972
Ice class:....................... Swedish/ Finnish 1B Length: ............................................105.23m Breadth: ............................................18.63m Max Draft: ...........................................4.71m Gross Tonnage: ................................6336grt Cruising Speed: ............................... 16knots Stabilizers:
................Fins, Type Brown/AEG Passenger Capacity: .........120 passengers max
Crew: ................................................53 crew Current Life saving & Rescue equipment:
.........Covered motor lifeboats 4 pcs capacity of
192 people. Life rafts total capacity 260 people.
Communication:
......................Telephone, fax, email, GMDSS, satellite C, B & M.
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he 1969-vintage Ice Class 1A expedition cruiseship Explorer - one of the first to carry fare paying
The spirit of adventure – 34,000 passengers are reckoned to have undertaken Antarctic cruises in 2007/2008.
The ferry whose conversion will see the emergence of the Polar cruiseship Expedition is due redelivery in April 2009.
conversion, and steps taken to enhance safety and protect the marine environment. With the contract formerly signed last June
by the then Aker Yards Lifecycle Services unit, the conversion work includes building of new cabins on former car decks, and the former tax free area being converted into luxury cabins and suites. Te main restaurant is being totally refurbished, and new service facilities created. Originally built in Denmark, Expedition is
105m long and 18.6m wide and will operate under Lloyd’s Register Class. After the conversion the vessel will offer cabins and
large public areas for 120 tourists joining the vessel’s travels in Polar waters. STX Europe confirmed that, as far as
the ship’s hull structure was concerned, the conversion work did not include any further strengthening for ice. William Bennett, G.A.P. Adventures
director of marine operations, explained: “Tis ship was built to Ice Class 1B, classed and thoroughly inspected by Lloyd’s Register. She has operated year round in the Baltic and her hull has recently been extensively tested for thickness and wastage. It has been determined that the hull is in exceptional
The Naval Architect February 2009
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