Akademik Shokalskiy

The Akademik Shokalskiy was built in 1982 at the Oy Laivateollisuus Ab shipyard in Turku. Its ice-strengthened hull bears IMO number 8010336. The ship was originally used for oceanographic research; it later operated as an expedition vessel in Arctic and Antarctic waters. Aurora Expeditions used it in 2011–2012, and the Australasian Antarctic Expedition in 2013–2014. The ship is 71.06 metres long and 12.82 metres wide, has a gross tonnage of 1,764 GT, and is listed at 14 knots. In its historical cruise configuration, it could accommodate up to 50 passengers; the stated crew complement is 30.

On its historical expedition cruises, naturalists and guides accompanied guests. The focus was on making shore landings as frequent and extended as possible.

2013/2014 Antarctic Expedition

On 8 December 2013, the Akademik Shokalskiy departed Bluff, New Zealand, on an Antarctic expedition. From 25 December, the ship was trapped in pack ice in Commonwealth Bay. The passengers were transferred to another ship on 2 January 2014; the Akademik Shokalskiy returned to Bluff on 14 January. This brought the passengers’ voyage on the Akademik Shokalskiy to an end; the ship then continued its return journey.