Sylvia Earle

The 2022-built MS Sylvia Earle cruise ship is an ice-strengthened (polar class 1A / PC6) expedition vessel inaugurated in November 2022 (postponed from October 2021 due to delayed delivery).

The boat is owned by the Danish company SunStone Maritime Group (via its USA-based subsidiary SunStone Ships Inc) and is currently operated under charter by Aurora Expeditions (fleet/1991-founded Australian company specializing in Arctic and Antarctic cruisetours).

The vessel (IMO number 9872327) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000867) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Sylvia Earle is the 7th in a series of ten "Ulstein CX103" design (Infinity-class) expedition vessels, with sisterships Greg Mortimer (2019-Sept, fleetmate), Ocean Victory (2021-March), Ocean Explorer (2021-Jan), Ocean Odyssey (2022-Oct), Ocean Albatros (2022-Oct), Douglas Mawson (2025). Four more units were intended but eventually canceled and replaced by the new BOUNDLESS Class boats.

The patented ULSTEIN X-BOW design is one of the unusual for expedition ship features. The vessel also utilizes the latest technologies in naval engineering. The ship is technically managed by Cruise Management International (Miami-based passenger vessel/fleet management company). CMI Leisure Miami handles hotel operations.

Aurora Expeditions cooperated with the US-based shipowner SunStone Ships Inc to construct a custom-designed vessel for expedition-type voyages in the polar regions, providing the industry's best adventure travel vacation experiences and modern amenities.

Aurora Expeditions is among the pioneers of polar expedition cruising and a leading adventure travel company on the Australian market. The company was one of the first to introduce ship travel to numerous remote destinations in the polar regions. Established in 1991, in 2008 Aurora Expeditions was sold and the new owners remained true to the original expedition spirit. Initially offering small-group cruises to Antarctica, Aurora Expeditions now also operates expedition voyages to Norway's Svalbard Islands, Russia's Far East, Greenland, Papua New Guinea, Africa (Chobe River safari cruises in Botswana), Amazon River.

Ship technology

The major advantage of the patented "ULSTEIN X-BOW" design is the ship's ability to navigate with improved stability in comparison to traditional bow-design vessels. X-BOW vessels are less subject to vertical motions (induced by waves), continuing on course smoothly while maintaining high speeds. The ship's engines use less fuel, which results in reduced air emissions and fuel consumption.

The ship is equipped with the latest propulsion and return-to-port systems. It also has top-notch dynamic positioning technology - computer-controlled systems allowing automatic maintenance of the vessel's position through its own propulsion units (thrusters and propellers). This allows stable floating while maintaining the necessary stability for launching watercraft - and without using anchors.

With the highest for passenger vessel ice-class 1A (Polar Class 6 / PC6), MS Sylvia Earle has icebreaking capacity 1 m (3 ft) and complies with the maritime industry's latest polar code requirements and specifications. The boat offers unprecedented levels of safety and environmental protection. Exclusively designed for polar cruises, the ship allows Aurora Expeditions to continue to provide the company's authentic, top-quality small-ship travel experience.

For the interior designs of this entire series of SunStone-owned ships was contracted the Weston Florida-based company Tomas Tillberg Design. A new design concept implemented on the Sylvia Earle ship is the two-level (2-decks high) glass-enclosed Bar Lounge located at the bow (forward on decks 5-6).

Shipboard facilities

The cruise ship features dedicated outdoor observation areas (including fore-located Observation Deck with two Hydraulic Platforms / Viewing Platforms accessed from Deck 5), a stern marina (watersports platform serving the company's sea kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving programs), a fleet of 15x Zodiacs (large-capacity motorized boats used for passenger transportation - tendering and landings).

The aft-located Zodiac loading platform (accessed from either side on Deck 3) is a new design launching platform that allows easier and faster boarding for shoreside transportation. Sun Deck (top-deck forward) is furnished with premium garden furniture (sofas, armchairs, sun loungers) and used for both relaxation and wildlife viewing. At the top two decks' bow is the Observation Lounge (2-level lounge served by its own Bar) and midship on top deck is the funnel (with four smokestacks/engine exhaust pipes).

Other facilities include Medical Centre (Infirmary), Change Room (Mudroom), Bar Lounge (lecture theater forward on Deck 5), Dining Room Restaurant, Ship Shop, Lobby area (Reception Desk), Library, Art Room, Wellness Centre (Fitness, Spa, Sauna Room, Treatment Rooms for Massages), Lower Sun Deck (Deck 7 aft, with lifeboats and liferafts), Upper Sun Deck (Deck 8 midship, with sunbathing area and two whirlpool hot tubs).

Four Zodiac Docks (2 on each side, hull access at sea level) serve as boat launching platforms.

Decks and Cabins

Sylvia Earle staterooms (71 total) allow max capacity 132 passengers. Most cabins (80% of all, except only Aurora cabins with portholes on Deck 3) are with a private, step-out balcony accessible from the living area via a sliding, floor-ceiling glass door. Each balcony is furnished with a small table and two deck chairs.

Cabins that can be booked with triple occupancy (accommodating a 3rd person on pull-out couch/sofabed) are in the category Aurora Stateroom Triple.

The boat has 8 decks, of which 6 are passenger-accessible and 4 with cabins.

Hotel beds (King-size or two twins, size 200 x 160 cm, ample under-bed storage space for suitcases), sleeping couch (sofabed), bedside cabinets, mirrored vanity (writing desk/dressing table) with chair, built-in dressers with drawers, mini-bar / refrigerator, 42-inch smart HDTV (local and satellite reception), phone (onboard communication only), digital clock/alarm, seating area (small table with 1 or 2 armchairs), spacious wardrobe (closet with hangers, drawers, electronic safe), individual climate control, medical emergency button.

Each stateroom has a private, full-size bathroom with shower / WC, hairdryer, premium bath amenities. Suites are in 3 categories - CS-Captain's, JS-Junior and BS-Balcony. These are the largest staterooms, with double-size balconies and offering extra amenities, such as in-room dining service (continental breakfast served on the balcony).

The ship has a total of 20 pairs of connecting cabins (balconied rooms) that can be booked as one stateroom ("family cabin") for up to 6 persons. The boat has no wheelchair-accessible cabins (for passengers with disabilities).

Itineraries

In mid-November 2020, Aurora Expedition announced only the destinations planned to be included in Sylvia Earle's itinerary program 2021-2022. The vessel was to be deployed in Alaska, Pacific Mexico (Baja California) and Asia - including Russia's Far East and Indonesia's Raja Ampat islands and West Papua.

In late-January 2021, Aurora Expeditions announced voyages planned for 2022, with an Early-Bird promotion (25% discounted pricing). The sailings visited Raja Ampat Islands (Indonesia), Kuril Islands (Russia), Aleutian Islands (Alaska), Baja California (Mexico), Greenland. A total of 12x new itineraries were included in the 2022 programs of the chartered ships Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.

For MS Sylvia Earle were scheduled a 16-day Wrangel Island cruise (from Nome AK to Wrangel Island Nature Reserve Russia), a 9-day Gulf of California cruise (Baja California and the Sea of Cortez) and a 13-day Alaskan cruise that visits Haida Gwaii Islands (Canada), Annette Island (Metlakatla), Misty Fjords National Monument, St Lazaria Island (Saint Lazaria Wilderness, part of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge).

In early-February 2021, Aurora Expeditions announced a themed voyage to be attended by Dr Sylvia Earle. The 9-day (May 4-12, 2022) "Baja California and the Sea of Cortez" itinerary is roundtrip from Port Pichilinque (Baja California Sur, Mexico).

For winter 2022-2023 Antarctic season, Aurora Expeditions scheduled for Sylvia Earle a total of 26 itineraries. Early bookings (made by March 31, 2021) received up to 30% discount.

In late May 2022, Aurora Expeditions announced that Sylvia Earle's Maiden Voyage is a 16-night "Subantarctic Safari" itinerary (November 4-20, 2022) during which the ship will be also officially christened. The inaugural cruise (from Valparaiso-Santiago Chile to Ushuaia Argentina) visited the British territories Falkland Islands and South Sandwich Islands (South Georgia). Sylvia Earle's inaugural voyage to Antarctica departed from Ushuaia on December 10th.

Sylvia Earle's inaugural voyage to Antarctica departed Ushuaia on December 10, 2022. The 11-night itinerary (via Drake Passage) visited the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.

The ship's name honors Sylvia Alice Earle — a US marine biologist, oceanographer, conservationist, explorer, author (National Geographic books), and renowned lecturer, born in 1935. She was the first female Chief Scientist of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), a scientific agency within the US Department of Commerce. In 1998, Time Magazine named her a "Hero for the Planet." Sylvia Earle is also a member of the activist group Ocean Elders (founded in 2011), dedicated to protecting oceans and wildlife worldwide. Ocean Elders includes prominent scientists and well-known public figures (including royalty, business leaders, heads of state, and artists).

On June 6, 2019, the charter agreement was signed between Aurora Expeditions (represented by Managing Director Robert Halfpenny) and SunStone Ships Inc (represented by CEO Niels-Erik Lund).

Like all sisterships, Sylvia Earle was constructed in China at CMIH-China Merchants Heavy Industry's Haimen Shipyard (Jiangsu). The shipbuilding order for the seventh INFINITY Class unit was signed on May 29, 2019, in Hong Kong.

The vessel's construction began with the steel-cutting ceremony held on March 16, 2020, at CMIH Haimen Shipyard. On the same day, the sistership Ocean Victory was launched (floated out from drydock). The keel-laying ceremony took place on July 17, 2020. The ship was launched (floated out) on March 18, 2021. On the same day at CMIH Haimen Shipyard, the keel-laying ceremony of Ocean Odyssey was also held.

The South China Sea sea trials were successfully completed between October 17 and 22.

Sylvia Earle's official inauguration (christening ceremony led by her godmother, Sylvia Earle) was scheduled for February 15, 2023, prior to the 9-day "Antarctic Climate Expedition."

Unlike her sisterships, Sylvia Earle is the first in the "INFINITY ULSTEIN CX103" series to feature bow-facing windows.

In late February 2018, Aurora Expeditions announced a partnership with "CMI Leisure Management" (a Miami-based company). Ship management by CMI Leisure includes staffing, hotel operations, housekeeping, onboard food and beverage services, purchasing, and logistics. CMI Leisure is among the world's leading providers of small-ship management services and was previously contracted by Aurora Expeditions to manage the SunStone-owned vessel MS Polar Pioneer.

On March 16, 2017, SunStone Ships Inc signed a 4-shipbuilding agreement with the Hong Kong-based company China Merchants Industry Holdings (CMIH) for the construction of four vessels. SunStone is the world's largest shipowner (by tonnage) specializing exclusively in expedition vessels chartered to the cruise industry. With an option for an additional six units, the "ULSTEIN CX103" project could include up to 10 vessels.

CMIH is a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, one of China's largest conglomerates. Following the agreement with SunStone Ships, CMIH signed a contract with the Norwegian company Ulstein Design (part of Ulstein Group, headquartered in Ulsteinvik Norway) to supply the ship design and equipment package (ULSTEIN COM navigation bridge system and integrated automation systems ULSTEIN IAS and ULSTEIN POWER), as well as to supervise shipyard construction. The ship's hotel design was developed by Florida-based Tomas Tillberg Design International (USA), specializing in passenger vessels. The design incorporates Ulstein's patented X-BOW, which improves fuel efficiency and enhances stability in rough seas. The vessel complies with SOLAS 2009 requirements for "Safe Return to Port" (SRtP) and related safety standards, implemented via a Dynamic Positioning System (computer-controlled system maintaining the vessel’s position) and zero-speed stabilizers (roll reduction system).

CMIH also contracted the Finnish company IS Makinen Inc to prefabricate the ship’s cabins, wet units, and interior public spaces. For this purpose, Makinen established a cabin assembly plant and interior workshop at the shipyard in China.

The project's shipbuilder is the subsidiary China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI).

The ship is powered by four Wartsila 20 diesel engines (two 6-cylinder and two 8-cylinder units) running on HFO (heavy fuel oil). The 6-cylinder engines are equipped with the exhaust gas cleaning system "Wartsila NOR" (NOx reduction technology). The propulsion system is diesel-electric (twin-screw) and was designed by Brunvoll Volda AS (Norway-based company specializing in marine propulsion, positioning, and maneuvering systems). For the ULSTEIN CX103 project, Brunvoll contracted Damen Marine Components (DMC, based in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Netherlands) to supply the vessel’s two rudders (Van der Velden ATLANTIC model) and two steering gear systems (Van der Velden COMMANDER model).

The USD 260 million shipbuilding order for the four vessels was signed in June 2017. The first ship in the series (Greg Mortimer) was scheduled for delivery in August 2019, followed by one vessel every six months.

Ultimately, Sylvia Earle (together with Ocean Odyssey) was delivered to SunStone in 2022, on October 21, at CMHI Haimen.