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.

Taken from our blog last year: "She has been our home for six weeks, and she has been superb. She has been out in big seas, and we have never felt she was going over. She's clocked 7.8 knots downwind, and she is very dry, even as she wallows after surfing down a wave. She is robust - and we've put her through hell - on, into and off the ice, beaching her on rocks, and there are no dents in her hull, just the odd scratch. We've hit the centreboard on rocks numerous times. Her rig is simple and robust, and she can be rowed at over 3 knots by one person. And everywhere we go, people say how pretty her lines are!"

Equipment List and Stowage Plan

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. Last year, as forecast had significantly more ice than the last few years as can be clearly seen on the second chart below (and by the pictures of us dragging the boat!). However, recent forecasts show that in 2010 it will return to lower levels to enable completion of the route in early September. Up to date information can be found from the Canadian Ice Service.

AUGUST 2008	August 2009

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.

As last year, sponsors will receive visibility on the home page of this website as well as in the media coverage which included national press and local TV. 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 made a 30 minute film after last year's journey to which they will now add. A publishing company has expressed interest in a book which is part written, in early draft and of course has more material to come. 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 has just returned from seven months in Afghanistan.

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. He will be taking his Company of Marines to Helmand province in Afghanistan early in 2011.

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.