Oceanwide Expeditions

Expedition news

05-02-2010 | Success in Antarctica!

Vessel: Professor Molchanov (picture)
Date: 05-02-2010. Time: 12:00 CET
Position: 64'43S ; 62'36W
ETA in Ushuaia: 12 February 2010!





27-01-2010 Professor Molchanov in Antarctica: The expedition leader, Troels J. reports on 27 January from the Gerlache Strait: at 64’41.8S; 62’59.8W : 

"It has been a great day for us on the Molchanov today. We arrived to the northern Gerlache Strait late last night after two nice calm days in the Drake Passage. Our first landing was at the small island of Hydrurga Rocks, named after the Leopard Seal Hydrurga Leptonyx. Hydrurga Rocks is home to several small Chinstrap penguin rookeries and a small Antarctic shag colony. It was a bit grey in the morning with a bit of snow in the air, but all in all reasonable weather conditions. Several Antarctic fur seals also greeted us on the rocky shore as well as a couple of Weddell seals. After the landing we headed back to the ship for lunch as the Molchanov headed south east towards Wilhelmina Bay and our second destination of the day: Foyn Harbour. We launched all five Zodiacs and went cruising around the many small rocky islands and beautiful icebergs. Many Crabeater seals and Weddell seals were seen on ice and on the islands as we headed towards the wreck of the Guvernoren (The Governor) –an old whaling ship that burned with its cargo of whale oil in 1916. Wildlife, history and rugged beauty in one cruise! In the late afternoon we headed south through Wilhelmina Bay and into the Gerlache Strait again. The intention was to spend a calm night at anchor at Port Lockroy, our first landing site the following day. After dinner however, it was all about whales! Several Minke whales and Humpback whales were spotted along the way, but it was not until a pod of 15-17 type B Killer whales were seen that we changed course. The captain skillfully maneuvered the ship for us to get a close up look at a few of the individuals in the pod as many more surfaced around us. They were not particularly interested but gave a unforgettable show none the less. They turned away from the ship and left a great view of two Humpback whales only half a mile ahead of us. We managed to get a fantastic look at these huge creatures as they surfaced right next to the starboard bow, dove under the bow and surfaced along the port side bow where they followed for several minutes right alongside the ship. What an incredible close up experience! The time of writing this report is around 22.00 GMT-3 and we are just about the head into the Neumayer Channel from the north towards Port Lockroy for our overnight anchor spot. What a great day – our first real expedition day in the Antarctic on this trip."

03-02-2010 Professor Molchanov heading South: this voyage is specifically focusing on diving.  

Vessel: Plancius (pictures below)
Date: 05-02-2010. Time: 04:00 CET
Position: 54'57S ; 66’53W.
Next ETA in Ushuaia: 23 February 2010!
For updates on positions click on vessel tracker here










Plancius , 08 January 2010. Port of Ushuaia.

27-01-2010 Plancius at sea to Antarctica:
Plancius set sail for another trip to the Antarctic after her first completed and successful voyage South. The ship is heading straight into the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula. Activities will be offered for kayakers , hikers, zodiac explorers and campers.

02-02-2010 Plancius in Antarctica:
The expedition leader, Jan Belgers, reports that everybody is having a fantastic time onboard Plancius in Antarctica. This voyage is supported by great weather and smooth operation. The passengers are overwhelmed. The ship is now sailing through the Neumayer Channel towards the Melchior Islands where the expedition will do a last zodiac cruise before they had back for the Drake Passage.

03-02-2010 Plancius on the way back to Ushuaia:
The expedition leader, Jan Belgers sums up: "Everything went according to plan, we could do all the planned landings and activities. This voyage had a calm pace, the landing sites were always relatively close to one and another and we did not have to move the ship all the time. It seems like this is the perfect itinerary, with all the Antarctic Peninsula highlights in it. Also the weather was great and the wildlife stunning. Some amazing whale encounters, also with the zodiacs and kayaks. And the passengers love the Plancius, many of them want to go to the Arctic with the her. Most of the things on board work really well. The cooperation with the hotel department, expedition staff and captain and crew was also fine.
Of course it made a big difference that the crew and staff had learned really well how to run the ship during the maiden voyage."
The kayaking and camping also went really well. Passengers loved it (campers had two overinghts , one at Hovgaard and one at Argentine Island). Passengers were very happy that they have gotten the possibility to join and they all had a calm but exciting night out. The campers that night stayed at Hovgaard Island under a vividly coloured red sky."



"Some of the highlights of the voyage: Cruising at the Pleneau Islands through the little channels and bays, amongst majestic icebergs, Leopard seals, Crabeater seals and Weddell seals. On of the nicest places I know. Cruising at the Argentine Islands, as close as possible/ allowed to three Humpback whales. Amazing!
Again cruising, this time at the Melchior Islands, exploring the little channels. Some had also here a close encounter with Humpbacks. A great ending of this voyage."



Vessel: Professor Multanovskiy
Date: 03-02-2010. Time: 10:00 CET
Position: 54'50S ; 68’11W.
ETA in Ushuaia: 03 February 2010!

Professor Multanovskiy is currently under charter.

News items are updated irregularly.

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