British Columbia-based polar operator, One Ocean Expeditions announced this week it will send a second ship into the Canadian Arctic this northern Summer, to operate an additional departure on the iconic 12-night Northwest Passage itinerary.

Speaking at the Canadian Corroboree roadshow in Sydney, One Ocean Expedition's Australian Manager, Richard Cunningham made the announcement to trade and media. “The discovery last Summer of Sir John Franklin's long lost ship, HMS Erebus – which disappeared in the wilds of the Canadian Arctic, nearly 170 years ago, led to a huge increase in interest in the Northwest Passage. It has really put the destination front and centre in the world of small-ship expedition cruising”.

“Our company was one of several private Canadian firms to support the search effort, led by Parks Canada in September 2014. The disappearance of Sir John Franklin's ships in the Arctic has been an enduring mystery since 1840. Upon hearing of the remarkable discovery, one British archaeologist claimed this was arguably the greatest find since Tutankhamen's tomb was uncovered in Egypt almost 100 year ago”, said Cunningham.

The company's sole departure of the Northwest Passage aboard Akademik Ioffe, sold out in a matter of weeks and the operator made the decision to relocate its second vessel, the Akademik Sergey Vavilov, around into the Canadian Arctic to operate a second departure in August 2015. (This vessel operates a series of expeditions in the Norwegian Arctic, in the Svalbard archipelago in June and July).

The 12-night Northwest Passage voyage departs from the port of Kangerlussuaq on the west coast of Greenland on 11 August, before travelling across the Davis Strait and into the maze of waterways that make up the Canadian Arctic. Visits to remote Inuit communities are a highlight as are frequent wildlife sightings, including the icon of the north – the polar bear.

The ship follows the in the footsteps of original British Franklin Expedition, visiting several key locations along the way, including Beechey Island. Additional highlights include the staggering bird colonies on Prince Leopold Island, a transit of the fast flowing Bellot Strait, and into the very waters the lost Franklin ship was discovered last Summer in the Victoria Strait.

Throughout the voyage, historians, naturalists, and marine biologists bring the region to life through educational presentations onboard and fascinating on shore excursions led by expert guides.

For lovers of remote small-ship cruising, this iconic journey is not to be missed. 

For further information please contact One Ocean Expeditions www.oneoceanexpeditions.com. 

About One Ocean Expeditions
One Ocean Expeditions is a privately-owned Canadian expedition cruise operator founded in 2007. The company operates cruises and special programs in fragile ecosystems around the world with a focus on the Polar Regions; the Arctic and Antarctica. Its vessels, Akademik Ioffe/One Ocean Navigator and Akademik Sergey Vavilov/One Ocean Voyager are designed for polar exploration and combine modern comforts and superb amenities with first-class safety features. One Ocean Expeditions continually excels as a polar expert and is able to do so, by collaborating with researchers and explorers in exciting programs. One Ocean Expeditions directly assists Northern Communities in Canada through support of local business, donations and community outreach programs.

For further information contact ONE OCEAN EXPEDITIONS on 1300 368 123 or email richard@oneoceanexpeditions.com.