NEW SHIP ADDED TO EXPLORATION COMPANY FLEET
An expedition cruise company looking to base its operations in Sydney will welcome its newest vessel with a rechristening ceremony today.
One Oceans Expeditions’ RCGS Resolute will sail into Sydney harbour for the ceremony, before heading on its inaugural voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica beginning on Nov. 16.
“This day represents a great moment in the history of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society,” said John Geiger, CEO of the vessel, in a press release.
“The RCGS Resolute is a platform not only for expeditionary travel but for science and education.”
Guests for the recommissioning event will include Commissioner of Nunavut, The Honourable Nellie T. Kusugak, Rear Admiral Nick Lambert, The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, Navy Captain Guillaume Lefrance, Cape BretonCanso MP Rodger Cuzner, Senator Michael MacDonald, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke and Geiger.
Special appearances Tuesday will also include the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy and the 29 Sydney Kiwanis Royal Canadian Air Cadet squadron.
“Introducing RCGS Resolute to our fleet in her home port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, is an important moment for One Ocean Expeditions, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and our partners,” said Andrew Prossin, managing director of One Ocean Expeditions and a Cape Breton native, in a press release.
“A ship recommissioning is a unique ceremony that places a vessel in active service. It is a joyous occasion that we are honoured to host on Canada’s East Coast and my home.”
The ship will be blessed by Rev. Canon Donald J. Lawton at the ceremony, and an onboard VIP celebration will conclude with an exclusive performance by the Barra MacNeils.
The ship’s inaugural voyage will depart from Argentina on the “Antarctica — Off the Beaten Track” voyage and will explore Antarctica and South Georgia before heading north to the Chilean Fjords.
From there it will head to Costa Rica and Panama, through the Panama Canal and onwards to the North Atlantic for voyages through Scotland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
With the opening of a second berth at the port of Sydney, One Ocean Expeditions plans to make Sydney its home port.