Under the Pole – Underwater Polar Expeditions

We are very happy to announce that MaxSea has recently developed a new partnership with French expedition ‘Under the Pole‘. By providing our navigation software to this great organization, we are able to contribute in some way to the fantastic research that they carry out.

What is Under the Pole?

Under the Pole carries out a series of underwater polar expeditions to explore the polar environment. Their aim is to increase scientific knowledge of the poles.

Each time they carry out a new expedition, they build up more knowledge that is added to the existing data base. Each expedition is also considered a preparation for the next one.

Lucas Santucci - Under The Pole - 2014
Lucas Santucci of Under The Pole, using MaxSea TimeZero software in 2014

What have they done so far?

From March to May, 2010, Under the Pole carried out an expedition to the North Pole, which lasted for 45 days.

Cold Weather Sailing Guide

During this trip, they studied the icecap in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, and led a unique submarine exploration under extreme conditions.

Exploring the North Pole in 2010
Exploring the North Pole in 2010

In January 2014, Under the Pole have began an expedition to West and North Greenland, which will last for 22 months altogether, and is being dubbed “Part II”.

This is a continuation of the study carried out at the North Pole. This time they will focus on the submarine environment between the pole and the polar circle.

Greenland Expedition
Greenland Expedition

What’s next?

In 2016, they will move to the other hemisphere and will lead an expedition to Antarctica.

We wish Under the Pole all the best in these exciting and enlightening expeditions!

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The Arctic is a victim of climate warming.

A fascinating world is disappearing.

Some species living there are threatened of extinction.

Many of them have not yet been observed.


 

Download the free MaxSea guide: Cold Weather Sailing

My Favourite books about the Arctic, by Janusz Kurbiel

Since 1975, Joëlle and Janusz Kurbiel from IMERPOL, have dedicated their lives to the exploration of the North Pole. For the last few years, they have navigated through this region with the help of TZ Navigator, their marine navigation software.

In this post, Janusz shares his favourite books written about the Arctic. So if you planning to navigate in this region, make sure to read as many of these books as you can!

Arctic Ice.

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Books about the Arctic Ocean

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  • Tilman, H.W. – The Eight Sailing – Mountains-Exploration Books, Diadem Ed., 1987.

If you need further information on how to purchase any of these books, just leave a comment below. Safe journey!

Cold Weather Sailing Guide

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MaxSea Happy Users: Borealis Expedition 2011-2012

Experimental Trawler Marguerite 1 in LabradorCharacteristics
27th and 28th Arctic campaigns.

Crew
2011 – Janusz and Joëlle Kurbiel, Michel and Claude Joubert and Aimé Filliol.
2012 – Janusz and Joëlle Kurbiel, Maria Olech and Tomasz Kosinski (in the Northwest Passage).

Vessel
Due to the fact that the upgrading works on Vagabond’elle were not completed in the spring of 2011, the expedition was conducted from Marguerite 1, the experimental motorsailer of Michel Joubert -the famous French naval architect- specifically designed for extreme sailing.

Software
MaxSea TimeZero Navigator

Duration and Sailing Distances
2011 – 3.900 km from July 15 to August 27
2012 – 14.000 km from May 23 to October 26
In all, 17.900 km in over 6 months on 3 oceans : Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific.

Route of the 2011-2012 Expedition
2011 – from France to Portugal, the Azores, Newfoundland, Labrador.
2011-2012 – wintering of Marguerite 1 in Newfoundland, Canada.
2012 – from Newfoundland to Labrador, Greenland, The Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Alaska.
2012-2013 – wintering of Marguerite 1 in Alaska.

Route of the 2011-2012 Borealis Expedition

Cold Weather Sailing Guide