icebird yacht

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Icebird is a specially designed and constructed luxury polar expedition yacht. Built by Trintella in the Netherlands, one of the very best European yards, her aluminium hull has been re-inforced to enable her to operate safely in ice. She has 6 watertight compartments, including the engine room, and is insulated throughout which, together with central heating, makes her ideal for comfortable expedition sailing in Antarctica. Her hydraulically operated lifting keel can reduce her draft to a mere 1.9 metres, allowing access to safe shallow anchorages out of the path of drifting ice, while in the down position the 3.3m keel, with 10-ton foil and 5 tonnes of lead bulb, ensure excellent handling in even the roughest of seas.

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Basic sleeper berth

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This ship's voyages.

Antarctica Ski & Sail

Yacht-based ski adventure to the wildest place on earth, now booking 2024.

We are partnering with Ski Antarctica  to provide an unforgettable trip of a lifetime to Antarctica by sailboat.

Our trip takes place late in the Austral Spring, which means abundant around the clock light. The skiing, sea kayaking and photography opportunities are unparalleled.

Skiing in Antarctica is spectacular and immensely rewarding. There is something for everyone, from gentle slopes to steep faces, from established classics to first descents. You can undertake day-trips from the comfort of the yacht, or embark on a multi-day tent-based adventure.

This is a high-end trip using the Icebird, a 60’6″ single-masted yacht, around the Antarctic peninsula. We favour the use of comfortable expedition yachts since they provide the flexibility to tailor a trip according to a group’s desires and abilities, and ensures that we have the mountains to ourselves. They also enable us to reach places that are not accessible to larger vessels, and to go where we want, when we want and for as long as we want.

Q&A: Phil Wickens, Director of Ski-Antarctica

This interview might answer a few questions you may have about our trip. Phil will be the expedition leader. Tom and Phil have worked together on a number of Arctic trips in Svalbard; this will be their first time working together in the Antarctic.

Q: Where are you based out of? Phil: Although I live on the edge of the Peak District National Park in England, our trips start from either Ushuaia for Antarctica, or Stanley in the Falkland Islands for South Georgia.

Q: What can guests expect? Phil: Our guests can expect to have an adventure of a lifetime, and the unique experience of being part of an expedition team that sails and skis in one of the most spectacular places on earth.

Q: What are the tours like? Phil: Every member is an active member of the expedition team. Our focus is on adventure and safety, under the guidance of the most experienced team of sailors and skiers operating in Antarctica who enjoy sharing their love for Antarctica and the experience of traveling there with like-minded adventurers. Our  tours  are challenging, but immensely rewarding. The skiing that we do is in a very spectacular setting, and on all types of snow, from deep fresh snow to spring corn. Most people find the level of glaciation quite overwhelming since it is like no-where else on earth; virtually the whole coastline comprises ice cliffs, and almost every inch is covered by glacier. That is where our experience and knowledge comes in. We encourage guests to camp ashore at least once since that gives a very different perspective to Antarctica, and to truly experience its vastness and silence. We also encourage guests to use our sea kayaks. It is a great option when the clouds are low, and a great way to experience the wildlife and icebergs.

Q: How did you get into this? What’s your background? Phil: After completing my PhD in biology, during which I had organised and led numerous climbing and skiing expeditions to remote mountains around the world, I worked for the British Antarctic Survey as a field guide and safety officer in Antarctica for 3 years, including two full winters. I dreamt of returning by yacht to ski and climb with friends, and we did just that, doing it on a shoestring budget and without any creature comforts. The seeds were sown…during that expedition I met the owners of Icebird and Spirit of Sydney, and realized that together we could organise expeditions to Antarctica with much more comfort. Our first expeditions, for the Alpine Club, the Eagle Ski Club and for a descendent of Roald Amundsen, proved to be so successful and rewarding that we decided to offer the same experience to skiers and climbers who have the same love of adventure.

Q: What was the inspiration for Antarctica, South Georgia, and the use of a yacht? Phil: Antarctica and South Georgia are, quite simply, two of the most incredible places on earth. The landscape is spectacular, the wildlife is in your face, and the history of exploration of these areas really brings them to life. Travelling by yacht and in small groups gives the freedom and flexibility that is impossible otherwise, and allows us to tailor our trips according to the aspirations and abilities of the guests. Using yachts also makes it a much bigger and more rewarding adventure, and closer to the original spirit of adventure of the pioneers of Antarctic exploration. Since everyone is involved with the sailing and running of the yacht we become a close-knit team, and everyone comes away with a fantastic sense of achievement.

Q: Do people love it or find it challenging? Phil: Both. Everyone will be challenged at some point and this makes the experience richer all the more rewarding. Many people who join us have no previous sailing experience and so learning new skills and heading out into the Southern Ocean is obviously a big challenge, but it is something that most people are more than capable of doing. Others will find skinning uphill a challenge, particularly if we are heading out with tents, but the rewards make it well worth it. Challenge is a good thing, and means that everyone comes away with an enormous sense of achievement. Everyone falls in love with Antarctica, but it is difficult to say why. That is why I keep going back, and that is why so many of our guests keep coming back.

Q: Where are the majority of your guests from? Phil: Our groups are very mixed, with guests from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Turkey, South Africa, Italy, Switzerland, Norway…

Q: What has been the best adventure? Phil: That is a very hard question to answer indeed! There has been no single best adventure, more a collection of amazing experiences, and we have those on every single trip. I know that all sounds a bit corny, but because I always have something new up my sleeve, of exploring somewhere that others have never visited, it is hard to put any one adventure above the rest. I loved being the first to explore and ski the mountains around Cierva Cove, of summiting the virgin summits that overlook the Lemaire Channel, and of pioneering a route to reach the untouched mountains of the Kiev Peninsula, and what really made each of these trips so great was the fantastic teams that I took with me. The best adventure is that of traveling back to Antarctica, gradually exploring new areas and skiing new mountains, and sharing the place and the experience that I love with others.

For the complete interview see this 2014 article !

Antarctica on the Icebird Photo Album

Photos courtesy of Phil Wickens (Antarctica Expedition Leader) used by permission.

Skiing in Antarctica

The icebird yacht.

DAY 1: EXPEDITION PREPARATION – DAYS 1 TO 2

Day 1: Arrive in Ushuaia. Meet team and spend night in cabana/hotel. Day 2: Day in Ushuaia. Prepare equipment and practice glacier crossing and crevasse rescue skills.

DAY 3: SAILING THE DRAKE – DAYS 3 TO 5

Come aboard, meet the crew, stow your gear and take in the briefings before we set off to sail down the spectacular mountain lined Beagle Channel in relatively calm water. Your Captain and crew will have been carefully watching the weather for a few days prior, so we may either visit an anchorage to wait…. or we may head out into the Drake Passage to commence our 560nm ocean passage, where landfall will be the snow, rock and ice of the Antarctic Peninsula. We are sailing the “furious fifties” with landfall in the “screaming sixties”, but thankfully modern weather systems aboard Icebird enable us to negotiate the deep lows the Drake Passage is legendary for. Often we are able to choose weather windows that provide a safe, comfortable and fast passage across and you’ll find that with the routine of watches at sea, the time passes quickly.

Icebird is a tough purpose built aluminium high latitude expedition yacht with creature comforts like central heating and a climate controlled pilot house that allows you to take in the 360 degree views while insulated from environmental extremes. Her powerful Aerorig, a freestanding rotating carbon rig, facilitates fast, simple and exhilarating sailing, an exhilaration matched by the soaring flight of the albatrosses as they lift off the wave tops and soar above the yacht. As we arrive at the Antarctic Convergence, our albatross companions leave us. There’s a definite chill in the air, and excitement mounts as we start to look for our first iceberg.

DAY 6: LANDFALL IN ANTARCTICA

High jagged peaks, overhanging seracs, huge glaciers dropping newly formed icebergs into the ocean…… and everywhere life abounds in this icy paradise. Perhaps your first impressions of Antarctica will make you feel that you have entered an alternative reality! …and that impression will be amplified as we sail into a volcano! As we enter Port Foster on Deception Island through the narrow Neptune’s Bellows, the sunken caldera opens before us and we sight the remnants of what was once a bustling whaling industry at the turn of last century, with fleets of whale catchers and factory ships anchored in the harbour and more than a few interesting anecdotes and shenanigans to relate!

DAY 7: TIME TO SKI !

We land on the black volcanic sand beach where steam rises eerily and habituated penguins enjoy a warm bath! Skinning up the snow slopes rewards us with stunning views of the sea cliffs and “Sewing Machine Needles” rock formations…..and the incredible sight (and smell!) of penguins as far as the eye can see. Deception Island is home to half a million chinstrap penguins.

DAY 8: TWO HUMMOCK ISLAND

We make an early start in the Antarctic dawn, threading our way back through Neptune’s Bellows and out into the Bransfield Strait. We head south for Two Hummock Island, sailing through iceberg littered waters and dodging humpback whales. On arrival we tuck into a tiny cove surrounded by towering ice cliffs and tie the yacht securely in to rocks on shore.

DAY 9: PORTAL POINT

A morning of spectacular skiing up both summits with views over to the jagged mountain range of the peninsula. In the afternoon we pick up our lines and make the short sail over to Portal Point on the mainland, where we lift the keel to make our way into a shallow anchorage and tie in securely for the night.

DAY 10: SKI THE SEVENTH CONTINENT

Today you Ski the Seventh Continent with an ascent of Igloo Hill and a fast ski back to the yacht. Perhaps an afternoon kayak among grounded icebergs, seals and penguins.

DAY 11: WILHELMINA BAY

We sail south through Wilhelmina Bay, dodging humpbacks, and make a ski ascent of Spigot Peak, a dramatic rock spire, flanked by a snow slope behind. The exertion is rewarded by unbelievable views ranging from the interior mountain chain of the Antarctic Peninsula, across the Gerlache Strait to Brabant and Anvers Islands. Evening finds us tucked into another shallow anchorage on Cuverville Island which is home to a frenetically busy gentoo penguin colony.

DAY 12: PARADISE HARBOUR

Today we sail to Paradise…Harbour! – a spectacular cruise down Errera Channel which you may paddle if you wish, then across the head of Andvoord Bay into the eastern arm of Paradise Harbour. Again the keen paddlers are invited to take to their boats and paddle through this beautiful waterway which often affords close encounters with humpbacks, seals and penguins…even orcas sometimes! It’s a favourite spot for pods of orcas to hunt the crabeater seals lazing on floating sea ice.

We tuck into tiny Skonthorpe Cove for the night, a small amphitheatre in the ice cliffs and a favourite of the old Norwegian whalers who frequented these waters 100 years ago. The sense of tranquillity and overpowering majesty of the towering peaks is often broken by the roar of avalanches or cracking and crashing of ice falls as Avalanche Glacier continues its inexorable advance into the sea. As we go exploring in the zodiac or kayaks, it’s wise to be prepared for waves generated by the massive chunks of ice falling into the sea. Interestingly, the towering ice cliffs are actually floating on the sea as an ice shelf.

DAY 13: MT BANCK

Today’s objective is Mt Banck. As we skin up the 970m mountain we negotiate our way between deep crevasses and get a chance to peer into their mysterious neon blue depths. From the summit it’s a fast ski back to the waiting yacht, visible as a few pixels far below.

DAY 14: BRUCE ISLAND

An early morning start and we head to Bruce Island for a 3 hour 400m ski ascent with the reward being a fabulous ski back to the zodiac.

DAY 15: BASE CAMP ICEBIRD

We take a brisk sail across the Gerlache Strait to enter the Neumayer Channel and as we make our way down this narrow cut between Wiencke Island and Anvers Island we’re likely to see orcas who often range through this beat. Tonight we tie ourselves into the ‘Ice Marina’, the vestiges of winter sea ice which fill Port Lockroy at this time of the year. Using ice screws and other anchors we tie the yacht securely alongside the ice and enjoy some true ski in ski out yachting from ‘Base Camp Icebird’.

DAY 16: JABET PEAK

We drop our skis straight off the yacht onto the sea ice and skin over to the tide crack from where we ascend onto Harbour Glacier and traverse across to the base of Jabet Peak. A three hour climb rewards us with spectacular views, Thunder Glacier to the north with the Fife Brothers range towering above, and across the Neumayer Strait snowy Mt Francais, the highest peak on the peninsula at 2760m, rises majestically above all else. A fast ski down to traverse the glacier once again, and back home to Icebird.

DAY 17: PORT LOCKROY BASE

A morning visit to historic Port Lockroy Base better known as the Penguin Post Office where the United Kingdom Heritage Trust has carefully preserved the historic base dating from 1944. Port Lockroy was pivotal to the early days of exploration and of fascinating Operation Tabarin, a secret wartime initiative to counter Nazi intelligence. The carefully preserved artefacts, even tins of food and antiquated risqué paintings of 1940’s temptresses, contribute to an acute sense of time warp. For the afternoon – a quick ski over to Dorian Bay and a visit to another historic hut which was used as a refuge for ski plane operations to Port Lockroy in the 1970’s.

DAY 18: MINARET PEAK – DAY 18 & 19

We untie from the Ice Marina and as we steam towards Canty Point on Anvers Island the team prepares for a 3 day ski tour to Minaret Peak. This is your chance to experience Antarctic snow camping and the near 24 hour daylight with spectacular sunsets that merge into sunrises and keep the mountains glowing pink for hours.

DAY 20: LEMAIRE CHANNEL

After three days in the mountains, the ski team breathes a sigh of relief as Icebird appears amongst the icebergs and the smell of fresh baked bread and delicious food wafts across to those waiting for pick up on the beach! After a hearty meal, back aboard base camp Icebird, a brisk sail across the Gerlache Channel takes us to Cape Reynard and the entrance to the famed Lemaire Channel where the dark waters of its narrow channel are overhung by precarious seracs and snow cornices that make us hesitant to sail too near the rocky cliffs.

DAY 21: PETERMANN ISLAND

A day to explore Petermann Island and the resident Adélie and gentoo penguin colonies. Perhaps a circumnavigation by kayak.

DAY 22: ASCENT OF MT SCOTT

We make an early start, land our gear and crampon up the initial ice slope to easier snow slopes. If conditions are right this is a 4-5 hour climb, and from the summit the yacht and climbers can see each other! Those who prefer sea kayaking can explore nearby Pleneau Bay often known as The Iceberg Graveyard where currents and shallow water combine to trap and break up the ice monoliths. It makes for interesting sea kayaking, when the spectacle of hundreds of tons of ice grinding on the sea floor is likely to explode into fragments. So it’s wise to observe the rules relating to iceberg approach!

DAY 23: VERNADSKY

Ice conditions permitting we head south down the Penola Straits, which were named by Australian John Rymill of the winemaking family when he led the British Graham Land Expedition in 1932. A fascinating story of success and competence, and perhaps ‘The Expedition’ which marked the post heroic age of polar exploration. We thread our way into the rocky maze of the Argentine Islands, home of the ex-British base ‘Faraday’, now Ukrainian “Vernadsky” where the original instrument used to establish the existence of the ozone layer hole is proudly kept, and atmosphere research continues to this day. Often we are invited to join the scientists for an evening of merriment. For the afternoon, nearby ice cliffs provide an excellent opportunity to try out an ice climb with technical ice axes and top ropes. The kayaks are also deployed to explore the maze of islands and grounded icebergs.

We tie ourselves into a tiny rock-pool at Port Circumcision on Petermann Island where the French explorer Charcot spent a winter on the ‘Porquoi Pas’ in 1909. From our anchorage we can study Mt Scott directly across the Penola Straits, although much of its ascent route is hidden from view.

DAY 24: WORDIE HOUSE

We take a morning visit to Wordie House, a well preserved historic hut harking from the days of the British Graham Land Expedition, and we spend the afternoon preparing the yacht for sea.

DAY 25: CAPE HORN – DAY 25 TO 29

We head out through French Passage into the Drake and set our course and sails for Cape Horn 600nm to the north. As we cross the Convergence the air temperature warms, layers come off and a turn on deck to watch the albatrosses is very inviting.

Cape Horn and Land ho! As we round the Horn the obligatory bottle of whiskey comes out…. a toast to King Neptune and the rest for the crew! Perhaps we’ll land and visit the monument which evokes the souls of lost sailors, with its interesting sculpture that sings hauntingly in the wind.

As we sail through the Cape Horn Archipelago and into the Beagle Channel, the verdant green magic of Patagonia with its lush Antarctic beech forests, sun dappled mountains and cascades will delight senses accustomed to sea ice and snow.

DAY 30: USHUAIA

A return to relative civilisation, but Ushuaia’s claim to ‘el Fin del Mundo’ will leave you sceptical, as like most people who travel to Antarctica, you will be forever haunted by the landscapes and thriving inhabitants of ‘that other world’…….that lies to the south, bound by ice but rich in life.

The proposed itinerary is given for indication only; the actual itinerary will vary depending on weather, sea ice and snow conditions.

This itinerary proposes single-day tours only. 

Multi-day ascents are possible for groups who would like establish a high camp on a glacier (see below).

MULTI-DAY ASCENTS

Multi-day ascents are possible for groups who would like establish a high camp on a glacier and ascend peaks from this high camp. This involves hauling camping equipment in sleds to the proposed camp location. For the extra effort, I feel that the benefits make this extremely worthwile:

–        Access to higher peaks, and often much better snow

–        Access to less frequented or even unclimbed peaks

–        Away from the coast you get a true Antarctic feel

–        The experience of space, silence and timelessness

Many people are naturally reluctant to camp in Antarctica. The most common feedback I receive is that people wished they had camped more!

Captain/Owner:   Cath Hew. Cath combined her passion for ocean sailing and Antarctica when she purchased the yacht ‘Spirit of Sydney’ in 2003 and realised her dream of providing expedition support in one of the most beautiful and interesting places on earth. Cath grew up racing dinghies and then built her own yachts. Between 1993 and 1997 she sailed around the world and competed in many major ocean races in Australia, including the famous 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race. After visiting the Antarctic Peninsula by ship in 2000 she knew she had to return by yacht in order to travel freely and to explore its more interesting and less explored areas. There is nothing she likes more than to share this with other like minded and interesting people. During her first sailing trip to the Antarctic Peninsula in 2003-04 trips Cath was joined by an experienced ice skipper; she then took up the reins as skipper and they sailed double-handed across the Drake Passage to make their rendezvous, on time, at King George Island with the Steve Irwin and his film crew to complete a very successful season. These days, after 12 seasons and many varied and exciting trips, Cath revels in helping people to realise their dream of exploring Antarctica safely, and loves to see her guests return to Ushuaia with wonderful memories of Antarctica and of the excellent food and wine provided on Icebird.

Expedition Leader: Phil Wickens. Phil has made almost thirty first ascents and ski descents of previously unclimbed Antarctic mountains, spent over 650 days of skiing in Antarctica, and done ten seasons of sailing yachts to Antarctica, Phil is keen to share his love of Antarctic skiing, sailing and the wildlife with other like-minded individuals. For Phil, Antarctica is the most stunning place on earth, and somewhere that all serious skiers should dream of making tracks. Phil studied biology at Imperial College in London, England. After completing his PhD in plant pathology, he worked for two winters and three summers as a field guide for the British Antarctic Survey, combining his passion for natural science with that of mountain exploration and photography. He has led numerous climbing and skiing expeditions to Antarctica, Tibet, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Peru, East Greenland, the Caucasus and Canada, and was Vice President of the Alpine Club in 2006-7. Phil works as a freelance photographer, polar guide, expedition leader, naturalist and lecturer in expeditions, polar geology and history. He also runs the our glacier training sessions .When not working or playing in far-flung places he lives in England on the edge of Peak District National Park. Phil is on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  LinkedIn .

Mountain Guide : Sawback’s Tom Wolfe (UIAGM/IFMGA).  Tom has done many ski and sail expeditions, throughout Svalbard and Norway. Tom and Phil have worked together numerous times in the arctic.

Icebird Technical Specifications

Length: 18.43 metres / 60’6” Breadth: 5.1 metres / 16’6” Draught: 1.9 metres to 3,4 metres Speed: 14 knots Cruise speed: 9 knots Passengers: 9 berths in 4 cabins, 2 bathrooms Zodiac & RIBs: 3.7m rigid hull inflatable Electrical Outlets: 240V and 110V Classification: Small Commercial Vessel CAT-0 Bow Thrust: Yes Ship Region: Antarctica

Our Antarctica Trip is in a different category than any of our other trips. Snow conditions and trip length will vary greatly. There may be days when we don’t ski at all, but spend the day exploring the ice-fringes shores of the Antarctic Peninsula by foot or by sea kayak. Other days will be spent sailing from one venue to another. When conditions are right we’ll put the hammer down and try to get a big day in, but normally as a group taking into considerations the abilities of our team as a whole.

There will be Relaxed Pace days and Classic Paced days. We’ll try to accommodate everyone as much as possible, but recognize that sometimes you might have to push or hold back at times.

Our Trip Ratings Page outlines more specifically how we rate our trips.

DATES: 2024 // Nov 14 to Dec 16

PRICE: $28,900 USD per person ($35,500 CAD / €22100 / £21650)

PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 50% secures your booking, 100% payable six months in advance of trip start date.

DIFFICULTY : Classic Pace, Challenging expedition environment

GUESTS: 7 total

SAILING VESSEL: Icebird (see description for specifications)

INCLUDED: Land-based pre-sail: 3 days of town based ski touring and training in Ushuaia, 29 days Ski & Sail: includes crew, harbour fees, permit fees, UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide, group gear, multi-course dinners, breakfast on board as well as lunch supplies.

NOT INCLUDED: Transportation to/from South America, accommodation and food in Ushuaia, personal equipment, gratuities .

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Icebird is ideally suited to chartering in Antarctica with an ice reinforced aluminium construction

Icebird holds six water-tight compartments and a heated, double-glazed pilot house saloon offering all round views of the spectacular scenery scrolling past as the yacht is under way. Icebird is insulated through out and climate controlled with reticulated hot water radiators and air conditioning. Even the bathrooms have heated towel rails! A large garage in the aft compartment allows plenty of storage for the aluminium hulled rigid inflatable boat as well as skis, kayaks, dive gear and other equipment for making the most of the exciting destinations you will be visiting! Icebird is equipped with an indestructible Aero-rig, a 100ft rotating carbon spar with fixed boom, a serious no-fuss sailing rig that is eminently suitable for sailing the southern ocean. Icebird can be tacked or gybed with just a turn of the wheel, and with her 3.3m keel down she will tack through 80 degrees, or run down wind with ease, her sails set square to the wind. Icebird is a very special yacht built in one of the best European yards to a very high specification which included preparation for Antarctic and Arctic waters, and she is registered under her St Vincents and Grenadines flag for commercial charter. Icebird is classified for operating in all oceans including Arctic and Antarctic waters.

Technical Information

Icebird is a highly specified aluminium Van de Stadt 61 custom built by the Trintella Shipyard in the Netherlands for high latitude conditions and ice. She is an extremely strong, heavy-duty expedition yacht that will carry her crew in comfort, safety, and speed, worldwide from the Arctic Ocean to the tropic islands of the South Pacific and on to Antarctica. The enclosed pilothouse provides comprehensive navigation, pilotage, and monitoring systems and keeps the sailor in warm dry comfort. With spectacular all round vision, her crew get to enjoy living in a “Room with a View”. Registered: Cayman Islands - Small Commercial Vessel Registry CAT-0 Builder: Trintella Shipyard - Netherlands Designer: Van de Stadt Design Interior Design: Arnold de Ruyter Project by: Marine Contruction Management Year: 1999 Rig. CarboSpars Aero Rig UK Construction: Ice strengthened Aluminium Accommodation: 9 berths in 4 cabins, 2 bathrooms Length on Deck: 18.43m / 60\'6\" Beam: 5,1m / 16\'6 Draft: Hydraulic Lifting Keel - 1.9m to 3.3m Keel: 10 ton, 0.5 ton stainless foil, 9.5ton lead bulb Displacement: 39 metric ton Sail Area: Mainsail-100m2/100sq ft, Jib-40m2/400sq ft Bridge Clearance: 30m / 100 ft Diesel Fuel: 2250lt. Water: 1200lt.

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V 45 ice bird.

• Posted on 19/03/2021

ICE BIRD is famous for two arduous  but quite different extended cruises.  The first was a single-handed, engine-less, ‘Atlantic Circuit’ from Northern Ireland via the West Indies, made by Dr. Cunningham in 1952.  The second was also a return voyage from N. Ireland to Northwest Iceland in 1967.  Dr. Joe Cunningham’s nephew, Brian Cunningham was skipper this time, with the redoubtable Irish scribe Winkie Nixon amongst the crew.

The design of this cutter-rigged version of the Vertue was developed alongside that of Wanderer III in the early 1950’s essentially for ocean cruising, as described in Humphrey Barton’s classic book Vertue xxxv.  The doghouse was replaced by a longer after coachroof that stepped down just abaft the mast.  The layout below provided for only two berths, in the saloon, forward of longer galley and chart table areas that were usual in the standard boats.  This was a smaller, but  nearly identical layout to that aboard Wanderer III.  Ice Bird has retained the bermudan cutter rig, unlike some other ‘ocean’ Vertues.  Her close sister-ship, Speedwell of Hong Kong , V 44,was built at much the same time, and is now junk rigged.  About 14 ocean Vertues appear to have been built so far.

Description

Ice Bird as she appears in Eric Hiscock’s book ‘Voyaging Under sail’, photographed in English Harbour, Antigua

Recent photographs of Ice Bird.

The sailplan and hull profile drawing shows the distinctive stepped coachroof and cutter rig., these monotone photos of ice bird were taken during the icelandic voyage., specification.

• Laurent Giles design No: 191
• Builder: Aeromarine
• Launch Date: 1952
• Hull Material: Mahogany
• Deck: Epoxy glass cloth over ply over t & g softwood.
• Engine: Volvo MD 7A 13hp
• Ballast keel material: Iron
• Doghouse: OCEAN
• Cockpit: Short
• Berths: Two
• Rig: Bermudan cutter
• Mast: Metal
• Heads'ls: Stays'ls and Jibs
• Backstay arrangement: Twin Standing to transom
• Home Port: Port Edgar, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Current Owner: Tony Holt
• Contact details:
• Email address: [email protected]
• Other comments: The second 'Ocean' Vertue to be built in 1952. Famous for an Atlantic circuit and return passage from Ireland to Iceland.

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Ice Bird: The Classic Story of the First Single-Handed Voyage to Antarctica Paperback – September 1, 2002

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Print length 224 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Sheridan House
• Publication date September 1, 2002
• Dimensions 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 1574091514
• ISBN-13 978-1574091519
• See all details

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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sheridan House; Reprint edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1574091514
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1574091519
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• #207 in Antarctica Travel Guides
• #1,091 in Boating (Books)
• #6,775 in Traveler & Explorer Biographies

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Ski in Antarctica next season - our expeditions are going ahead! Our COVID Response..

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Ski Mountaineering Adventures in Antarctica

beyond the backcountry ...

Antarctica is the ultimate back-country skiing destination. The mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula, rising to well over 2000m, extend for hundreds of miles. The skiing is spectacular. There are no ski lifts. Simply an endless choice of untracked mountains to ski. And the only crowds are the groups of penguins you pass on the ascent. Ski beyond the backcountry. Ski in Antarctica.

Ski Antarctica specialises in backcountry trips to Antarctica. With over 20 years' experience operating in Antarctica we have pioneered access to many mountains along the Antarctic Peninsula. Having helped people to reach more than 140 different Antarctic summits, including over 50 first ascents and over 800 days skiing in Antarctica, our Antarctic ski mountaineering experience and knowledge are second to none.

Why Ski in Antarctica?

Spectacular scenery.

Skiing in Antarctica is quite simply spectacular. There is something for everyone , from gentle slopes to steep faces, from established classics to first descents. You can undertake day-trips from the comfort of the yacht , or embark on a multi-day tent-based adventure. 

Expedition yachts provide the ultimate freedom to truly explore Antarctica. A comfortable expedition yacht is the perfect base for ski mountaineering, providing the flexibility to tailor your trip according to your desires and abilities. 

We have the backcountry and the mountains to ourselves, and we reach places that are not accessible to larger vessels. And we can go where we want, when we want, and for as long as we want. 

Explore by Kayak

To add to the adventure, we provide sea kayaks (and the necessary equipment and drysuits) to our guests for no extra charge! Kayaking in Antarctica - it's the perfect way to spend a rest-day or to unwind after a hard day's ski mountaineering!

Real Adventure!

Many people venture into the back-country. We take you beyond the backcountry. We take you to the wildest and most spectacular place on earth. And then we ski there. 

Want to know what our adventures are really like? Have a read through our questions & answers .

Where do we ski?

Antarctic peninsula, the patagonian fjords.

The most easily accessed area of Antarctica, with mountains rising to almost 3000m and heavy snowfall, the Antarctic Peninsula offers the best backcountry skiing on the continent. Add to this the abundance of penguins, whales and seals...

   READ MORE...

South Georgia

Immortalised by Sir Ernest Shackleton famous crossing in 1917, the mountains of this breathtaking island rise straight from the sea to 2935m. Home to hundreds of thousands of King penguins, this is a truly unique ski destination. 

READ MORE... 

The Patagonian fjords of Chile are one of world's last great wildernesses. Without needing to cross the open sea. they are remarkably easy to access by yacht, but notoriously difficult any other way! You will need a thirst for adventure to ski here! 

READ MORE...

27 Dec 2022 - 27 Jan 2023

Antarctic peninsula - adventurous ski ascents.

ANTARCTIC PENINSULA

Duration: 30 days

Join us for a sea kayaking adventure like no other! Late summer is a fantastic time for wildlife on the Antarctic peninsula...

20 Sept - 09 Oct 2023

Patagonian fjords - explore by ski & kayak.

Duration: 20 days

A truly exploratory ski adventure into one of the wildest and least visited wildernesses on earth. It has it all... mountai...

18 Oct - 05 Nov 2022

Patagonian fjords - wilderness adventure.

Duration: 19 days

A true adventure into one of the wildest and least visited wildernesses on earth. It has it all... mountains, glaciers, ice...

14 Nov - 16 Dec 2023

Antarctic peninsula - classic ski ascents.

Duration: 33 days

Aimed at competent ski mountaineers who would like a unique ski adventure, our focus will be the ski mountaineering classic...

28 Dec 2023 - 28 Jan 2024

Antarctic peninsula - adventurous ski ascents.

Duration: 32 days  

This expedition might appeal to more experienced ski mountaineers who would like something even more strenuous & adventuro...

Meet the Team

Phil (expedition leader), cath (owner and skipper of icebird).

Phil organises and leads our ski mountaineering trips, sea kayaking and backcountry operations. With over 2 decades of leading skiing and mountaineering expeditions in Antarctica, his Antarctic experience is unrivalled.

Cath is the owner and skipper of Icebird. Having skippered charter yachts to Antarctica for almost two decades, plus a wealth of other impressive sailing adventures, she is one of the most experienced and respected skippers operating in Antarctica. 

MORE... 

Oli (Skipper)

Oli is our second skipper. Not only a skipper in Antarctica, he is also a professional sailing instructor, and has sailed and raced yachts extensively around the world. As a climber and mountain rescue team  member, his skills and knowledge are invaluable for Antarctic operations. MORE...

Updates & Offers

Sign up to hear from us about our Antarctic ski expeditions. Don't worry, you won't be inundated with lots of unwanted messages - just a couple of updates every year and any (rare) last-minute deals or spaces. Plus you can unsubscribe at any time.

Do you have any questions? Are you interested in joining us? Phil, Cath and Oly would love to hear from you...

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MV Icebird 1984–1996

With the rebuilding program underway at Australia’s stations, ANARE needed a ship that had a large cargo capacity to transport supplies. The MV Icebird was custom made for ANARE in Germany by Antarktis und Spezialfahrt Schiffartsgesellschaft GmbH (GSS). Described by the company as the world’s first purpose-built polar resupply vessel, it was named for its ability to ‘fly’ through the ice.

Specifications

• Motor Vessel (MV)
• Ice class: Arc 1 / E4 (forepart Arc 2) icebreaker
• Installed power: MAK 5,400 horsepower (4,000 kilowatts)
• capacity with module: 4,378 tons
• capacity without module: 6,436 tons
• length: 106.6 metres
• breadth: 19.9 metres
• speed: 14.7 knots
• 98 passengers in module accommodation; 22 crew

The Icebird’s bow was constructed to the latest ice-breaking design. Its owners designed the ship to break one year old ice with continuous speed, and avoid the constant threat to Antarctic shipping: besetment. Special features that enabled ANARE to unload cargo in remote areas included a strengthened helideck, ‘tween-deck hatch covers that doubled as pontoons, and an ice-strengthened pusher barge.

Key Antarctic voyages

The Icebird was fitted with a detachable accommodation module to carry passengers. It was clamped to the ship in front of the bridge, and secured with bolts.

In late 1984, on the ship’s first voyage, the accommodation module started shifting from side to side in heavy seas. Passengers became increasingly worried, and the securing bolts were tightened by the crew. Heinrich Brand, the manager of the shipyard company, visited Australia to reassure ANARE staff. He was on board the voyage departing Hobart in January 1985. On the first night, the Icebird rolled heavily causing the module to move five centimetres with a loud clunk, terrifying the passengers. Captain Ewald Brune, not convinced of the safety of the construction, recalled:

Within about 60 seconds I had 90 expeditioners on the bridge, saying that the module had moved – you could really feel it shaking! I saw on the bridge a very pale Mr Brand. I said, ‘Mr Brand, no matter what your construction company is telling me, the module is no longer a part of this ship – it is deck cargo. And deck cargo must be lashed!' – Interview with Ewald Brune & Tim Bowden, ANARE Jubilee Project, 13 July 1995.

Captain Brune ordered his crew to secure the module with 200 chains. Before the next voyage, the module was welded into place. This memorable event was recorded in ANARE history with the song, 'Click go the bolts!'

During the 1995–1996 season, ANARE’s primary charter, the RSV Aurora Australis , was out of service for a month with mechanical problems. A replacement ship was needed – the Icebird ! Renamed the MV Polar Bird in 1996 by its new Norwegian owners, the ship was occasionally chartered by ANARE to support operations alongside the Aurora Australis until 2003.

In 2003, the Polar Bird was sold for general cargo service, and renamed the Almog.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point

Welcome To Our New Website

by admin | Aug 10, 2016 | Icebird Blog

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