We are sharing ten significant milestones we achieved over the last ten years
1. We have taken more than 20,000 happy passengers to the Polar Regions safely (safe – but not necessarily dry!)
In the last 10 years, we have proudly carried more than 20,000 guests to the Polar Regions on life-changing expedition cruises. Only a few lucky people get the chance to explore these regions and we strive to create a personal experience for each and every individual. With the development of our unique Alumni program ONE CLUB, we are giving guests the chance to discover even more regions with us. We are pretty sure we remember all our new friends by name, so it is easy for them to book with us again!
2. Developed a unique sea kayaking program
Our Operations Director, Aaron Lawton, brought his passion for sea kayaking and library of ideas to the Polar Regions almost two decades ago. Trialling programs, opportunities and ways to optimize our guest experience led him and his wife, General Manager Cathy Lawton, to spend two weeks exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, developing new ideas of how to evolve sea kayaking into an overnight opportunity. This is how we develop our programs – personally. Check out our Antarctica Off the Beaten Track for more info! PS: Aaron and Cathy are still happily married, even after their 14-day unsupported adventure!
3. Frank Wild’s ashes
In November 2011, we interred Frank Wild‘s ashes to South Georgia. Together with several relatives of this heroic polar explorer, we granted Wild’s last wish to lay his ashes to rest alongside Sir Ernest Shackleton. In November 2017, One Ocean Expeditions also transported British explorer, Henry Worsley’s ashes to the same small whaler’s cemetery in Grytviken Church, South Georgia, where he joins the great explorers of a bygone, heroic age.
4. Involvement in Victoria Strait Expedition 2014
In 2014, we joined The Royal Canadian Geographical Society as a partner in the Parks Canada-led Victoria Strait Expedition 2014 by contributing One Ocean Voyager / Akademik Sergey Vavilov to an undertaking that resulted in the discovery of Sir John Franklin’s long-missing HMS Erebus.
5. Introducing a new gateway to Antarctica
With our commitment to offering unique travel experiences, we developed a completely new way to explore Antarctica. By starting in Punta Arenas, Chile with flights to either Stanley, Falkland Islands or King George Island, Antarctica, we save several days of open ocean crossings. Rather than shortening the total Antarctic experience and operating hurried six or seven-day voyages, we add these ‘saved days’ to the expedition. We thought this was an easier option than swimming to Antarctica!
6. Exclusive strategic partnership with The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
In 2016, One Ocean Expeditions became The Royal Canadian Geographical Society’s exclusive marine partner. Our expertise were combined to develop excursions with world-renowned educators, researchers, naturalists, marine biologists, artists, historians and photographers.
7. ‘Canada’s East Coast – Fins and Fiddles’ voyage is a Canadian Signature Experience
As a Canadian company, our expeditions along Canada’s East Coast are near and dear to our heart. We are honoured that our ‘Canada’s East Coast – Fins and Fiddles’ voyage is part of the Canadian Signature Experience collection. Creating innovative travel experiences, designed to encourage visitors to keep exploring Canada, Destination Canada has chosen us to represent this fantastic region. As diverse as Canada itself, this unique experience is offered to provide the best Canada has to offer. We still believe our creative voyage name actually got us this distinction, what do you think?
8. Expansion of the fleet
We started our unique expedition cruise company with one vessel in 2007. Currently, two vessels are operating in Antarctica, the Arctic and along Canada’s East Coast. In 2018, we will add an even more capable and comfortable vessel, RCGS Resolute. By adding a third vessel in 2018, we offer guests even more possibilities to explore in even more comfort! By adding a third ship, we have the most capable fleet in the polar exploration industry.
9. Establishment of The One Ocean Foundation
Since we founded One Ocean Expeditions in 2007, we have been contributing to programs aligned with the company’s core values of education, exploration, science, socioeconomic development, and sustainable tourism. Since then we have contributed upwards of US$4 to 5 million to various charities, as a result of funds raised amongst guests and our owners, as well as gifts in kind. As part of our commitment to environmental and social responsibility, and to giving back to the communities in which we operate, we created The One Ocean Foundation in early 2017.
10. Supporting Science like no one else
We have made the conscious decision to provide more than 120 days of ship time per year to supporting a whole range of science programs. We carefully select research partners, who execute important and relevant research projects, to travel alongside guests and conduct science whilst onboard our expedition cruises. These projects which take place in Antarctica, the Arctic and everywhere in between are exclusive to the One Ocean Expeditions program. Research ranges from collecting data for critical meteorological and oceanographic studies, used at an international level, by counting penguins, to the tagging and tracking of migrant whale populations for universities and science institutions worldwide. It would now seem that all those penguins and whales want to say ‘hi’ to us and our guests at every opportunity!
10.5 Managing Director Andrew Prossin received Lawrence J. Burpee Medal
Our Managing Director Andrew Prossin received a national award in Ottawa in November 2017! He was awarded the Lawrence J. Burpee Medal, one of the top honours bestowed by The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, for his immense contribution to geography and to the Society. (He made us add this ?)
