Aurora unveils new livery for Sylvia Earle

AURORA Expeditions yesterday released computer-generated images of its second purposebuilt expedition ship.

The new Sylvia Earle (pictured) is scheduled for delivery in about a year’s time, and like sister ship the Greg Mortimer, is based on Sunstone’s Ulstein X-BOW design.

Aurora CEO Monique Ponfoort said “it is really exciting to see a second X-BOW ship coming into market for Aurora Expeditions.

“Its innovative, eco-sensitive design captures the essence of small-ship expedition travel pioneered by Aurora Expeditions,” she said.

The ship is named after marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer Dr Sylvia Earle, who is also actively involved in the development of her namesake.

Unlike the Greg Mortimer, the Sylvia Earle will feature Aurora’s signature teal colouring on her livery which will make her “instantly recognisable as an Aurora Expeditions ship,” according to the company’s Global Head of Marketing, Victoria Primrose.

“We are thrilled that the build is on time despite the challenges the world has faced in 2020,” she added.

The Sylvia Earle will feature a new two-level glass lounge in the bow to provide guests with “extraordinary views to the front of the ship,” along with an outdoor swimming pool which is heated using repurposed energy from the vessel’s engines.

Prospective destinations for the new ship include Alaska, the Russian Far East, Baja California, Raja Ampat and West Papua.