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Accommodations

Antarctica by Sailing Yacht
22 days - - Feb-Mar - From US $ 16,548

"When I see six people sitting at the salon table contributing to the evening meal, content in a mess of potato peels, garlic and onions, sipping wine and happily exhausted after another big day, I know we have struck the right balance. People need things to do and they thrive on it. This is the Pelagic way – keeping it simple on a voyage of participation."

Skip Novak - Pelagic CEO

The newly built Pelagic Australis evolved from 15 years experience with the original yacht Pelagic in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.  Pelagic Australis can take up to 10 passengers and 2 crew in comparatively greater comfort and speed. The vessel is equipped with the latest Inmarsat Fleet 77 satellite communications unit which facilitates running online and store and forward filming projects. The vessel is certified by DNV (Det Norske Veritas), has an MCA (Marine and Coastguard Agency from the UK) certificate for carrying passengers and is CE marked.

Although the Pelagic Australis is of the size frequently referred to as a "yacht,” the Pelagic style of voyage might better be called "expeditioning" rather than "yachting." Yachting conjures up visions of inactivity rum and tonic sunsets and subservient behavior paid to the guests by the professional crew, which is definitely not the Pelagic style.

Instead, the aim of the Pelagic team is to give guests a sense of participation in all facets of operating a small vessel in a remote area. The Pelagic Australis crew includes a dedicated cook/mate, so meals will be prepared throughout each voyage, but everyone is encouraged to try their hand in the galley. Washing up after meals is taken in turn. And, on deck, everyone is expected to do a bit of steering, sail handling and help with launching and re-embarking the dinghy. No prior experience is needed for any of these activities, and plenty of coaching is provided.

Pelagic Australis is also fully equipped for comfort. It is dry and warm below, there are proper bunks and spacious head (bathing/toilet) compartments with hot water showers. There is a library and a good selection of music. In short, it is eminently suitable for expedition sailing in extreme environments.

Pelagic Australis is not, however, a luxury yacht in the sense that it has no varnish work or fancy stainless steel fittings on deck, nor hardwood veneer bulkheads below. The vessel is also mechanically simple, designed to eliminate potential mechanical problems in service. 

Together, the original Pelagic and newer Pelagic Australis have been in Tierra del Fuego and the Southern Ocean for 14 successful seasons. Often used as a logistical platform for mountaineers, filmmakers and scientific teams, the Pelagic fleet has proven itself as dependable and well equipped for operation in the testing conditions of the Southern Ocean.