©ReeveJolliffeEYOS E
xpedition. The very word conjures up images of explorers, wild and untamed regions, spirited adventure and perhaps the ultimate form of travel; authentic, unscripted, raw. In the yachting context, ‘expedition’ is used to describe voyages beyond the well-established ‘classic cruising’ destinations, often to remote regions where nature plays a dominant role and shore-side infrastructure, and support is absent.
For many owners, taking their vessels to the Polar Regions or to the remote tropical areas is a chance to realise their dreams, and to get the most out of their vessel. By any definition, expedition cruising is the fastest growing niche within the yachting industry, with many existing yachts heading out into the wild blue yonder while the new generation expedition yachts are in build.
For many adventurers EYOS Expeditions is the ‘go to’ company for yachts seeking to voyage away from the classic cruising routes and has completed a staggering 1200 safe and successful expeditions. Rob McCallum, Co founder of EYOS explains, “Our clients are owners and charterers who want to experience the most pristine parts of our planet. They are wanting authentic experiences; the type of voyages that nourish the soul, reaffirm bonds of family and friendship, and generate the extraordinary memories that can sustain us in everyday life.”
Part of the growth dynamic is created by the owners generating their wealth at a younger age; vessel owners (and charterers)
are getting younger and have the fitness and vigor to explore their world. McCallum contiues, “We see a shift to ‘experiential cruising’ by owners but even more so with charterers. These folks are wanting to ‘seize the day’; they want to grab life and shake it; to squeeze out every experience they can. They don’t go to simply look; they want to jump right in and scuba dive, hike, go down in a submersible, head out on the helicopter… they want to immerse themselves in the experience.”
For many yachts the polar regions hold an immediate and powerful allure. Ben Lyons, CEO of EYOS adds, “The polar regions are a magnet; seeing a polar bear at home in the Arctic wild is always an incredible experience, especially when you’re on a yacht with all the time in the world. The Antarctic is regarded as the pinnacle of expedition cruising…..every owner (and captain!) wants that notch in their belt.
Polar cruising poses a unique set of challenges, not only for the participants but for the yachts themselves. “Most of the client vessels we take to the Arctic and Antarctica are classic yachts rather than expedition yachts. To achieve this safely, we work with the captain to take the yacht through a checklist of around 60 discussion points in a conversation that helps us get to know the vessel, and helps the crew learn about the conditions we are headed for.”
The discussion produces a report on the capabilities of the vessel that captains can then use to illustrate to insurers, class, and flag that the yacht is taking a responsible approach.
ONBOARD | WINTER 2021 | 89
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