The ARCTIC, our specialized survey vessel, is playing a crucial role in advancing the knowledge of marine ecosystems along the Italian coast. Boring? Absolutely not.
Since the summer of 2021, Redwise has been operating the ARCTIC, a whisper-quiet vessel specifically built for survey work. So quiet and vibration-free, you wouldn’t even know or hear the generators running. The ship features an insulated generator room, an optimally designed hull, an insulating intermediate deck and a large five-blade electrically driven fixed propeller.
Redwise purchased the ARCTIC during the COVID-period lockdowns; a purchase we have not regretted for a second. The ship is staffed with a fully European crew, a mix of Dutch and Lithuanian seafarers, supplemented with up to 12 surveyors.
Over the past few years, the ARCTIC has been deployed for 2D and 3D seismic research and cable route surveys. Particularly the latter involved, without DP, taking soil samples and frequently conducting “Cone Penetration Tests” at depths ranging from 15 to 1,500 meters.
Since September 2024, the ARCTIC’s charterer has used it to map seagrass fields along some 7,500 km of the Italian coastline down to 5 meters deep. The ARCTIC is currently sailing with five surveyors on board and a sailing crew of nine. Seagrass is a biodiversity indicator and absorbs CO2 up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests (source: WWF). Additionally, it protects the coastlines. This research is supported by the European Union.
People often think, “survey work is just boring line tracing.” Forget it. First of all, it's great to have a fun and diverse crew with different disciplines, interests, and nationalities. But what really makes this job enjoyable is sailing into all the bays like those near Elba and Sardinia, or even closer to the shore. It might not be for everyone, but it's certainly different from a four-week ocean crossing.
While it may be a lesser-known activity of Redwise, it is one that is close to our hearts. We can contribute to a better understanding nature, enabling actions for its preservation and restoration.
Hopefully, you are excited after reading this post. Redwise, a maritime niche player yet a world leader in ship delivery, would like to connect with you. We are looking for new colleagues in this nautical world, both to sail with us and to help manage, guide, and expand these operations from the office. We are hiring, including a commercial staff member with an exciting range of tasks and two crew affairs staff members. Ambition and enjoyment in work are key qualities for all three positions. Visit www.redwise.com, LinkedIn, call +31 33 421 7860, or email hr@redwise.nl.