Celebrating the Recommissioning of RCGS Resolute

On October 16th 2018, we celebrated the recommissioning of RCGS Resolute in true expedition style. The One Ocean Expeditions team, partners and guests arrived en-masse in Sydney, Nova Scotia for the lively event to welcome the newest member of the fleet. Thanks to wind gusts of over 70km per hour, RCGS Resolute wasn’t able to enter the port after travelling through rough seas from Hamburg, Germany. Nevertheless, the event was a huge success, even without the star of the show present. This was a proud day for the entire One Ocean team and for Andrew Prossin, Managing Director and local Cape Bretoner.

RCGS Resolute, the industry’s first purpose-built passenger expedition cruise vessel, provides a springboard to further grow the number of sailings to remote and pristine destinations in the world, including Canada’s East Coast, the Canadian High Arctic and Antarctica. The new addition has also allowed us to venture into new waters, with the introduction of new destinations such as Central and South America as well as the North Atlantic Islands.

RCGS Resolute Island Aerial Media
Drone shot of RCGS Resolute. Image credit: Island Aerial Media

“One Ocean Expeditions’ fleet continues to evolve in setting a bold and innovative new course in the expedition cruise industry,” says Andrew Prossin, during the festivities.

Attendees were treated to warm and welcoming speeches by Master of Ceremonies The Honourable Manning MacDonald (CD) and The Honourable Cecil P. Clarke, Mayor of Cape Breton.

Andrew Prossin
Andrew Prossin and Master of Ceremonies The Honourable Manning MacDonald. Photo credit: Roger Pimenta

Honouring One Ocean Expeditions were Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s (RCGS) CEO John Geiger; the ship sponsor and Commissioner of Nunavut, The Honourable Nellie T. Kusugak; The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton; Rear Admiral Nick Lambert; Navy Captain Guillaume Lefrance (CD); The Honourable Rodger Cuzner (MP) and The Honourable Michael MacDonald (MP).

Nellie T. Kusugak Nunavut
Commissioner of Nunavut and Sponsor of RCGS Resolute, The Honourable Nellie T. Kusugak. Photo Credit: Roger Pimenta
RCGS John Geiger
Andrew Prossin and John Geiger, CEO of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society. Photo credit: Roger Pimenta

“As Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Nova Scotia, it is my honour and pleasure to offer my sincere best wishes on the occasion of the Recommissioning Ceremony for RCGS Resolute,” stated The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. “I was pleased to learn about the broad range of objectives that RCGS Resolute will pursue as part of its operations including education, exploration in remote areas, and oceanographic and marine mammal research, while at the same time supporting local economies in the remote areas the ship will visit. I congratulate One Ocean Expeditions on the recommissioning of RCGS Resolute and I wish its crew and future passengers fair winds and following seas as it travels to remote areas of the world.”

The celebration was steeped in centuries of old Naval tradition, including a champagne toast by the Commissioner of Nunavut and a blessing of the ship fulfilled by Reverend Canon Donald J Lawton (CD). Highlights included a performance by local darlings the Barra MacNeils who infused the Cape Breton spirit into the evening and a feeling of familial warmth amongst guests.

Barra MacNeils
Guests enjoying the Barra MacNeils’ performance. Photo credit: Roger Pimenta

Interested in travelling on RCGS Resolute? Contact your preferred travel agent, or contact us directly here

One Comment

Comments are closed