Norseboat Limited of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, Canada have graciously given a 20% sponsorship to the expedition and made modifications to a standard NorseBoat 17.5 Sailing and Rowing Cruiser.  The NorseBoat 17.5 for the Arctic Mariner expedition is constructed of a fiberglass composite which has been reinforced for the ice and has extra buoyancy and stabilization features.  The NorseBoat 17.5 is stable, lightweight at 240kg, and capable of being rowed with its dual sliding seat rowing set-up or sailed with its robust, high performance rig. For more details see their website by clicking the logo above.

Equipment List and Stowage Plan

The boat has three underfloor watertight compartments which will be used to stow water and food alongside bouyancy bags to provide guaranteed extra bouyancy.

It also has two underseat compartments for Kev and Tony's "personal" gear, a large forward locker and a wet aft locker also containing the bilge. We also have two watertight bags which will be lashed under the bow for ready use items and as our "grab bag" if we need to use the liferaft. Click here for complete equipment list and stowage plan.

The success or failure of the Arctic Mariner Expedition is, of course, dependent upon favourable ice. The past few years ice charts have shown that the ice clears generally from south to north, as shown in the following two diagrams below. However, the most recent ice forecast for this year predicts that 2009 will have significantly more ice than the last few years. Up to date information can be found from the Canadian Ice Service.

AUGUST 2008	SEPTEMBER 2008

The charity “Toe in the Water” was set up in the summer of 2008 to use arduous and competitive sailing as an extension of the world-renowned rehabilitation work carried out at Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court for as long as there are injured servicemen and women in need of support. Its aims are:

• to re-inspire injured servicemen and assist them in being able to see beyond their injuries.
• to challenge injured servicemen and women both physically and mentally; taking them beyond their own and others expectations.
• to provide a vehicle that can assist injured servicemen in finding a meaningful working and living environment following profound injury.

“Toe in the Water” has already enjoyed success at Cowes Week with a half able-bodied and half injured crew. Its work can become an important part of the rehabilitation process. For more information click their logo to go to their website.

Sponsors will receive visibility on the home page of this website as well as in press releases and media calls. The expedition is highly likely to attract local and probably national media attention. The positioning of logos and advertising on the boat itself can be negotiated in proportion to the level of sponsorship. Additionally, both Kev and Tony are experienced expedition cameramen and two TV companies have already expressed interest in publishing a short film on completion. To discuss sponsorship and media issues email Kev here.

Kevin Oliver

Tony Lancashire

Kevin Oliver has been a Royal Marine for nearly twenty years. He trained as a Mountain and Arctic Warfare specialist, spent six winters in Norway and has served operationally in Northern Ireland and Iraq. He will deploy to Afghanistan on completion of the expedition.

He started dinghy sailing as a small child while living in Greece. At 19 he was climbing as a pair in the Andes and then descended an Amazonian river on a self-constructed balsa wood raft. Since then he has become a qualified mountaineer and yacht skipper.

Kevin's spare time is devoted to renovating an old farmhouse and helping his sons appreciate the outdoors.

Tony Lancashire is starting his fourteenth year in the Royal Marines and during that time he has deployed on operations to Afghanistan, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland. He specialised as a Landing Craft Officer which led him to operate small boats in a variety of climates including Arctic Canada and Norway as well as the jungles of West Africa and the Far East. Tony’s principle passion is sailing – anything from dinghies to racing yachts.

With the benefit of lightweight materials, freeze-dried rations, and communications with the outside world, these two men will be otherwise unsupported in making this journey. With extensive experience of the Arctic and small boats, they will rely on their initiative and determination to overcome the inevitable challenges caused by the cold, and potentially narwhals, whales and polar bears, not to mention the mosquitos! Emergency evacuation is possible as a last resort.