Support Vessels
The Real North Pole Expedition comprises two large ships: a nuclear ice breaker and a submersible mothership.

Nuclear Icebreaker
Deep Ocean Expeditions will use a nuclear-powered icebreaker to undertake the Real North Pole Expedition scheduled for August 2006. It is likely we will use one of five sister ships in the Arktica Class of icebreaker. These are some the world's most powerful and sophisticated ships, equipped with a displacement of 23,000 tons, 75,000 total horsepower and a 48mm thick armor steel icebreaker hull.

Operated by the Murmansk Shipping Company, these working vessels keep shipping lanes open along Russia's Northern Sea Route across the top of Siberia. These ships meet the challenges of traversing the heaviest ice with ease. In a different role, they have taken adventurous travelers to the North Pole since 1993.

Quality Accommodation
The icebreaker accommodates passengers in first-class outside cabins and suites, all with private facilities, large windows, desk, television and other comforts. Public areas include a large dining room (accommodating all passengers in one seating), library, lounge, theatre style auditorium, volleyball court and gymnasium, heated indoor swimming pool and sauna. Views are excellent from the navigation bridge (where we are almost always welcome) and the large open decks on several levels. These ships each contain a small infirmary.

Excellent European Cuisine
Western master chefs present an excellent, varied, international menu with fine provisions from around the world. A combination of western and experienced Russian staff will serve you aboard. The popular bar is stocked with your favorite spirits, wine and champagne.

Unique Helicopter Excursions
Essential for navigation in the ice, the icebreaker carries a helicopter for reconnaissance and passenger excursions. This versatile machine can take us to inland sites and otherwise inaccessible shores. The aerial views of polar landscapes and of our ship as it crashes through meters-thick ice are unique features of the expedition. Photography from the helicopter in flight is relatively easy.

In addition, the ship carries Zodiac inflatable boats which we may use if ice conditions allow. Widely used in expedition cruises, these rugged, versatile boats are extremely safe.

Technical Information
Icebreakers break ice by ramming it with a massive 'ice knife' fixed to the ship's bow. Assisting are an air bubbling system, hot water from jets below the surface, slick polymer coatings on the hull and the ability to make rapid side-to-side movement of ballast water. Ice may be broken while moving ahead or astern.

The vessel will be equipped with the latest satellite navigation and communication equipment, including telephone, telex and fax.

Expedition Staff, Officers and Crew
Our icebreaker will be staffed by an experienced crew. With the world's largest and most modern fleet of icebreakers, the Russians are recognized experts in polar operations.

The expedition will be directed by an expedition leader and Deep Ocean Expeditions staff chosen for their polar knowledge and operating experience.

The Mother Ship
On this unique expedition we will have a second vessel with us - the mother ship for the twin submersibles, Mir 1 and Mir 2. This vessel will also house the 24 members of the submersible team, including pilots and support personnel.

The submersible mother ship was chosen for its heavy cranes, which have sufficient lifting capacity to launch and retrieve the submersibles once at the North Pole. The mother ship will follow in the path of our icebreaker, which will clear a safe route through the heavy ice of the Arctic Ocean.

During the expedition, divers and non-divers alike will have the opportunity to visit the submersible mother ship, enabling them to view firsthand the launch and recovery of the submersibles - an experience in itself.

Northpole.pdf (436Kb)
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