Greenland: OCC Supports Sail and Climbing Expedition
An Irish expedition, supported with a Challenge Grant from the Ocean Cruising Club, will voyage to Greenland in July 2022 to explore Scoresby Sound, the largest fjord in the world and undertake important scientific work on microplastics in Arctic waters.
Published 3 years ago
In July 2022, a small group of independent adventurers, will set sail from Ireland on the ‘Danú of Galway’, bound for Scoresby Sound, East Greenland, the largest fjord in the world.
- Danu of Galway in Henninsgsvaer, Lofoten in 2015 (c) Peter Owens
The team is aiming to sail to and climb in this remote landscape. On the way they will sample for microplastics as part of a scientific collaboration with the Trinity College Dublin’s Centre for the Environment. They will monitor both salt and fresh water sources throughout their time in Scoresby Sound. This data will be used in improving global knowledge of microplastics in Arctic waters.
- Aerial view of the Renland Coast (c) John Thorogood, Arctic Club
- Expedition leader Peter Owens
Expedition leader and Ocean Cruising Club member Peter Owens, is a mountaineer and sailor with many years’ experience. He has put together a strong team that aims to be self-sufficient in the Arctic terrain, with a strict policy of ‘leave no trace’. A number of exploratory mountaineering objectives have been chosen on Milne Land and Renland, within reach of the coast, using the yacht as a floating base.
The Ocean Cruising Club is pleased to support this expedition and it has been awarded a Challenge Grant towards the voyage costs. This grant is the eighth to be made since 2019.
A variety of challenging projects have been supported in that time, including unsupported, non-stop, single-handed circumnavigations and several environmental maritime research projects. Dustin Reynolds, a double amputee adventurer who recently completed a solo circumnavigation, previously received a grant to support his voyage.
The scheme has two categories; the Adventure Challenge Grant and the Conservation Challenge Grant. Prior membership of the OCC is not required in order to apply. If you, or someone known to you is planning a particularly ambitious sail-exploration or is planning a similarly ambitious maritime conservation or environmental project, consider applying for an OCC Challenge Grant. Further details including eligibility criteria and how to apply are available on the OCC website.
- Renland – south coast from Bear Islands (c) Ken Palmer
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Related to the following Cruising Resources: Citizen Science, Environment
