Arctic 2026

This Arctic leg takes us south along the wild west coast of Greenland, sailing from the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord in Disko Bay – where massive icebergs calve from one of the world’s most active glaciers – through the remote communities of Aasiaat and Sisimiut, and on to the capital, Nuuk.

It is a landscape of staggering scale and seeming purity: ice-dotted fjords, midnight sun, waters that feel untouched by the modern world. Yet our research tells a different story. Collecting water samples as we sail, we will gather evidence of microplastic contamination in one of the planet’s most remote ocean environments – data that helps us understand where and how plastic has travelled, and what that means in the hunt for solutions.

We also go ashore. In the towns along our route, land-based surveying and conversations with local people reveal how plastic pollution intersects with the lives of those living closest to the sea.

S/V Sea Dragon is our home at sea, a 72-foot (22 m) steel-hulled sailing vessel built in the UK for extreme ocean conditions. Originally designed for the Global Challenge Race’s 32,000 km west-about circumnavigation, she is engineered for strength, safety, and long-range expedition sailing. Sea Dragon holds the highest possible safety rating, MCA Category 0 (All Oceans).

At 90,000 lb displacement, Sea Dragon is exceptionally stable and capable, even in rough seas. She comfortably accommodates up to 12 guest crew in secure sea berths and features two heads with showers, a large galley, and a spacious saloon for meals, briefings, and downtime. She is equipped with top-tier safety gear, including advanced navigation and communication systems, comprehensive life-saving equipment, science equipment and a professionally trained crew.

Fully equipped for extended expeditions, Sea Dragon carries modern navigation and communication systems, renewable wind and solar power, water-making capability, comprehensive medical and safety equipment, and two inflatable boats for remote coastal exploration. Built to operate safely with volunteer crew, she is a proven and reliable platform for ocean adventure.