Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a 111-year-old three-masted sailing ship, is currently around halfway through the year-long One Ocean Expedition, stopping in at key locations across the Americas and Europe to share knowledge, build awareness and emphasize the importance of collaboration in the ocean space.
Kongsberg Discovery is proud to be on board as technology partner for the mission.
Sharing ocean ambition
Although the wonderfully preserved ship is steeped in history, its high tech systems are firmly focused on unlocking new discoveries, with the very latest Kongsberg Discovery ADCPs, echo sounders, hydrophones, and Seapath GNSS-aided inertial navigation system installed, alongside the Blue Insight ocean data management and analytics platform, helping process and share collected data on a daily basis.
Together the solutions turn Statsraad Lehmkuhl into a unique floating laboratory, helping scientists monitor marine ecosystems, currents, underwater soundscapes and build deeper understanding of the world’s oceans.
Alongside the ‘hands on’ science, the ship also has a crucial role as a platform for facilitating stakeholder engagement, collaboration and progress… as demonstrated during its stay in the Pacific Northwest.
Building bridges in Vancouver
After visiting locations such as Iceland, Greenland, UK, France, Portugal, Bermuda and Los Angeles, the ship sailed into Vancouver harbour on 17 October to host a range of high-profile events… not to mention intrigued members of the visiting public.
On the 18th and 19th the Arctic Frontiers Abroad programme stepped onboard, with joint academic, policy, and industry panels focusing on critical issues such as climate change in the Arctic, navigation safety, and the ongoing green transition.
Nick Burchill, Kongsberg Discovery’s VP Mapping and Ocean Science, Americas, took part in the ‘Green and Blue Business Opportunities’ panel, where Norwegian and Canadian experts explored ways to unlock sustainable maritime growth, while the ‘Pacific Northwest Connection’ panel brought together experts from both the US and Canada to discuss maritime history, innovation, and cross-border collaboration in ocean tech, fisheries, renewable energy, and more.
A fun networking event - Building Bridges Across Borders – then saw representatives from government, academia, and industry connect to socialise, build bonds and help ensure that teamwork and technology work hand-in-hand to support future ocean health.
Sailing forwards together
After waving goodbye to Vancouver, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl continued south to Seattle, where Kongsberg Discovery EVP Customer Services Halvard Sagdahl joined a panel on transatlantic cluster collaboration. Discussions explored how shared innovation - particularly in areas like dual-use ocean data and cybersecurity - can accelerate the transition to enhanced sustainability.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in making the vessel’s trip to the Pacific Northwest such a huge success.
As the ship sails on, so too does our commitment to advancing ocean knowledge and sustainability in collaboration with our customers and technology users worldwide. We look forward to more discoveries, and valuable collaborations, with One Ocean Expedition in the months to come.
To find out more about the One Ocean Expedition please see https://www.oneoceanexpedition.com/