Monday 22 July 2019

Aurora Expeditions' new ship the Greg Mortimer completes sea trials

#expeditioncruising .



Aurora Expeditions’ purpose-built, X-bow® expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer, has successfully completed sea trials this week ahead of her inaugural voyage on 31 October, 2019 to Antarctica.

The Greg Mortimer is classified as a small expedition ship and has been built to world-class polar standards. The ship underwent a comprehensive trial over the past five days and nights and surpassed engineer’s speed, vibration and noise estimations.


Robert Halfpenny, Managing Director of Aurora Expeditions is delighted with the results:

“We have worked in very close partnership with our expedition team to design the Greg Mortimer. Our X-Bow® means faster travel, lower fuel consumption, virtually no vibrations and disruption to wildlife, which is extremely important for the remote and wild destinations we travel to.”




He continued:

“We have also included some very innovative features; the ship has a Tier 3 engine which is the lowest pollution marine engine in the world, giving off 80% less emissions. It is built to surpass environmental protection requirements and features unprecedented safety levels. It also features sea level zodiac and activity loading platforms, plenty of dedicated observation decks and outdoor viewing areas to allow passengers to get up close to nature!”

“It also has a bio-security mudroom and virtual anchoring technology; allowing the ship to hold its position using its own propellers and thrusters, so it does not disturb the delicate marine life on the sea floor.”

Named after Aurora Expeditions’ adventurous co-founder, Greg Mortimer, the 104m ship is the first ever passenger vessel to feature the patented Ulstein X-Bow®; innovative marine technology that allows for gentler sea crossings, improved comfort and reduced emissions.

Tests conducted included
  • System functionality
  • Overall equipment of the ship
  • Operational performance including comfort, vibration and noise tests
  • Safety performance including unmanned cabin and return to port technology

Features

The ship has a Tier 3 engine which is the lowest pollution marine engine in the world, giving off 80%* less emissions.

Built according to the latest polar parameter standards, the Greg Mortimer is Ice Class 1A and Polar Code 6 – surpassing environmental protection requirements and featuring unprecedented safety levels.

Designed in partnership with Aurora Expeditions’ Expedition team, it features sea-level Zodiac and activity loading platforms streamlining journeys from mud room to activities, black-out blinds to reduce the risk of bird strikes, dedicated observation decks and outdoor viewing areas. The emphasis of getting up close to nature will be at the core of the ship's experience.

The Greg Mortimer will now undergo the final touches to her interior and exterior, and the ship’s staff and crew will begin training before the official launch and twelve-day maiden voyage, departing Ushuaia for Antarctica on 31 October 2019.


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