From May 26 to July 2, 2022 r/v Oceanograf sailed from Gdańsk to Cádiz. This was the first long-distance cruise for the University of Gdańsk’s ship, and it turned to be a success. During those 44 days we’ve completed 3 major research projects, conducted one-day classes for foreign students and concluded the first chapter of the SEA-EU alliance with a bang! Let’s take some time to remember this monumental achievement, before we embark on a similar adventure with BaltArctic Research Cruise.
Kiel
On the second of June 2022, the r/v Oceanograf received many distinguished guests. First, a press conference was held on board, where representatives of Kiel University and Professor Fidel Echevarria, the coordinator of the SEA-EU alliance, talked about the cruise and the alliance itself. The members of the SEA-EU Governing Board were then given a tour of the vessel by dr Aleksandra Brodecka-Goluch, the cruise’s scientific director, and Andrzej Wawrzyniak, the ship’s captain.
On the third of June, the r/v Oceanograf became a ‘drifting university’ where academic communities from the two SEA-EU universities could work together and exchange knowledge. Students and scientists from Christian Albrecht University Kiel (CAU) boarded the catamaran.
‘It’s the first time I’ve been on this type of vessel, because of the pandemic I haven’t had the opportunity to go on a marine research expedition before,’ – says Chris Straßburger, a geophysics student at Christian Albrecht University in Kiel, who took part in the cruise.á
Brest
On the morning of the tenth of June r/v Oceanograf arrived in the port of Brest, which concluded the second part of the cruise. – ‘ In total, from Gdynia to Brest, we completed 90% of what we had planned before the voyage,’ – summarised dr Aleksandra Brodecka-Goluch.
International team of scientists were welcomed by Matthieu Waeles and head of the UBO Institute of Marine Affairs (IUEM) dr Fred Jean. UBO representatives showed them the laboratories, equipment and heard about the entire organisation of the university. In the end, the IUEM researcher invited the r/v Oceanograf research team to a picturesque lighthouse – The Petit Minou Lighthouse.
Cádiz
Three research projects, five day trips, strengthening of international cooperation and culmination of the first phase of the SEA-EU alliance – on June 21 r/v Oceanograf arrived to it’s destination – Cádiz.
Representatives of SEA-EU universities met in Cádiz to celebrate the end of the first stage of the alliance. On the last day of the cruise, the Rectors of the universities sailed together on a day trip. Interested students from the University of Cádiz were also able to board the r/v Oceanograf, who were given guided tours of the ship.
Gdańsk
On the second of July at 11.30 am, the University of Gdańsk ship r/v Oceanograf arrived at the quay at the Fish Market in Gdańsk. It was welcomed on board by the university authorities, the academic community, Monika Chabior, Vice-President of Gdańsk, and a brass band. The ship and the ceremony also attracted the attention of numerous strollers.
This is the first expedition of the r/v Oceanograf outside the Baltic Sea. During the voyage, the UG ship entered the Kiel Canal, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. – ‘It is an absolutely incredible moment. After a 4,500-mile extraordinary voyage, here we are today, welcoming our Oceanograf to its home port,’ – said UG Rector prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski.
The return of the UG research unit has also attracted the attention of the Gdańsk city authorities. – ‘It is beautiful when romanticism is combined with science. This is what the world needs now. I am very impressed by what the University of Gdańsk has done,’ – said Monika Chabior, Vice-President of Gdańsk.
Prof. Piotr Stepnowski and Vice President Monika Chabior symbolically ended the voyage by ringing the bell together.
From Gdańsk to Cádiz – How r_v Oceanograf connected 6 universities in one cruise_
